Please note that language courses taken to fulfill language requirements do not normally carry graduate credit. In addition, the student must either demonstrate reading proficiency in Greek, Latin, French, or German, or write an M.A. thesis. Up to 6 hours of thesis credit may be applied to the course requirements and may be counted in the 20 credit hours of philosophy. Please note that language courses taken to fulfill language requirements do not normally carry graduate credit. A unit consists of either a graduate course, a paper, or a written examination.
Distributional requirements are normally satisfied by the end of the student's second year.
The exam, which includes an oral and a written component, is administered by the student's dissertation committee and is designed to ensure that the student is prepared to write a dissertation in the chosen area. Depending on the student's research interests, some specializations require proficiency in additional foreign languages. Form a dissertation committee of faculty members who guide the writing of the dissertation, the chair of which is the student's doctoral advisor. The university requires that the committee include a member representing the student's minor. Have a dissertation prospectus approved, written by the candidate under the guidance and written approval of the committee.