Ph.D. Requirements

The First Two Years

  • Coursework – 16 half-courses
  • Languages – Written examinations in two modern research languages, generally French and German
  • Second Year Review – To occur by the end of the fourth term

The Third and Fourth Years

  • General Examinations – To be completed by the end of the third year
  • Teaching
  • Dissertation Prospectus – To be completed within one year of taking the general exams
  • Many students also apply for Travel Fellowships to conduct dissertation research in Year Five

The Fifth Year and Following

Many students spend all or a part of their fifth year in the field

  • The Dissertation – To be completed normally by the end of the seventh year; after approval of the Prospectus, at least one chapter each term must be submitted to the advisor