Is there a way you can get into PhD with low GPA?

[disple]

Is there any way you can get accepted to PhD program in history, comparative lit, area studies with a low GPA (mid 2.0 range), if you have a portfolio showing your in-depth independent research? I’ve heard that if you have bad GPA you should get Master's first and get a good GPA in Master's, but I’m wary of having to do this, because Master’s requires taking classes you might not be necessarily interested in and costs a lot of money too.