This groundbreaking degree is offered in conjunction with the Department of Drama at the University of California, Irvine. Students take seminars on both campuses and write dissertations under the supervision of faculty at both campuses. Students earn their degrees from the campus to which they are admitted. Each department supports its own students in accordance with applicable departmental and campus financial support policies. Students take a minimum of one graduate seminar per year with a faculty member of the other campus.
Students have access to all PhD seminars in both departments.
Graduate classes and seminars count toward graduation in both departments. All doctoral committees in each department include a faculty member from the other campus. The dissertation director may be selected, as a result of specific interests and after coursework, from either campus. The Joint Doctoral Program sponsors, on a rotating-host basis, a colloquium in which PhD students from both departments present samples of their work and discuss them with colleagues and faculty. Both departments offer strongly competitive support packages to qualified students.