The PhD is awarded upon successful completion of the following:
- research language requirements (or their equivalent, in some concentrations);
- 72 quarter units of doctoral-level coursework (seminars or directed readings);
- comprehensive examinations;
- a dissertation proposal; and a
- scholarly dissertation based on research in the major concentration area.
Although each concentration has specific requirements, a typical program includes:
STAGE ONE
Stage One of the PhD program consists of 42 units of seminars and directed readings, including a methods seminar or foundational course in the student’s concentration. After 42 units have been completed, students will take four comprehensive examinations. Students who pass the comprehensive examinations will become candidates, and move into
Stage Two.
STAGE TWO
Stage Two of the PhD program consists of completing another 30 units of seminars and/or directed readings, related to dissertation research and writing. Students will pass a dissertation proposal and write a dissertation demonstrating knowledge of field research, evidence of independent research, an original contribution to the field, and appropriate presentation and format.
- Students will have a primary mentor under whom they design their 72-unit program of seminars and directed readings.
- Faculty in each field may require a minor concentration; in fields that do not require a minor concentration, students may choose their own minor concentration, in which they may take no more than 18 units.
- The PhD program requires that students spend at least two years full-time study on the Pasadena campus. Part-time students must complete at least six 6-unit seminars and/or directed readings on the Pasadena campus.
Curriculum Template
1. Research Languages: Up to 12 units of 500-level courses, or their equivalent, or pass by examination
| Research Language 1 | Modern Language 1 (German, French, other) | 4 units, 500 level |
| Research Language 2 | Modern Language 2 | 4 units, 500 level |
| Research Language 3 | Ancient Language (Latin, Aramaic, other) | 4 units, 500 level |
2. Stage-one Coursework: 42 units, 800-level courses
| Minimum four to five seminars in major concentration | Methods seminar in major field | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar in major field | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar in major field | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar / Directed Reading in major field | 6 units, 800 level |
| Two or three seminars for cross-concentration exposure. If a minor is required or declared, minimum two seminars (on on method) must be in the minor field. | Seminar / Directed reading in either major or another field (in minor if a minor is required or declared) | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar in another field (in minor if a minor is required or declared) | 6 units, 800 level |
| Methods seminar in another field (in minor if minor is required or declared) | 6 units, 800 level |
3. Comprehensive Examinations: Four exams in two weeks
| Comprehensive Exam 1 | Methods exam in major field |
| Comprehensive Exam 2 | Exam in major field |
| Comprehensive Exam 3 | Exam in major field |
| Comprehensive Exam 4 | Methods exam in minor if a minor is declared |
Advanced to candidacy after passing comps
4. Stage-two Coursework: 30 units, 800-level courses
| Focus on dissertation research and writing. One seminar may be used for further work in another concentration (minor). | Dissertation Proposal Directed Reading | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar or DR (Objective: write dissertation) | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar or DR (Objective: write dissertation) | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar or DR (Objective: write dissertation) | 6 units, 800 level |
| Seminar or DR (Objective: write dissertation) | 6 units, 800 level |
5. Successful passing of the dissertation