Program Requirements

Qualifying Exams

After completing 18 credits (one year) of coursework in the distribution requirements, students will submit an Application for Qualification to the Ph.D. Executive Committee.  This committee will review the applicant's current progress to date through the program, their skills as a scholar/researcher and their progress in planning for the Comprehensive Examination and grant them continuing status in the program.

Comprehensive Exams

Students will take the comprehensive exams at the beginning of their third year of study. The exams consist of a written and oral component. The written exam is based on a reading list that includes, but is not limited to, course assignments. It will consist of a series of written essays. The successful completion of these written assignments will be followed by an oral exam within two weeks.

Satisfactory Completion of a Dissertation

The student will defend his/her Dissertation Prospectus at the beginning of Spring in Year 3. The dissertation will contain original research and will be defended before the student’s committee and others. Only the committee will vote on approval. Student must complete and defend the Dissertation before completion of the program.