Graduate students are required to take 14 courses, including two years of the Proseminar. In the summer after the first year students complete a Preliminary Research Exercise on a subject of their choosing. Students work intensively on a substantial Qualifying Paper that is due midway through the third year. After satisfying these requirements and writing a dissertation prospectus, students concentrate on the doctoral dissertation.

Students are expected to complete course work within two years and to complete a dissertation prospectus by the beginning of the fourth year. Most students take about two to three years to write their doctoral dissertation, with a six year expected total time to degree.

For complete details of PhD and MA requirements, advising, student evaluation, and other matters relating to the graduate program, read the Graduate Student Handbook.