During the fourth semester students are expected to complete a paper of the quality appropriate for a scholarly journal. At the beginning of the fifth semester a general examination is followed by a student review by the department faculty. Upon satisfactory completion of both the general exam and the scholarly paper, students select a committee of advisors to plan the balance of their coursework. In addition, reading competency in a language other than English, appropriate to their course of study, must be demonstrated. Reading competency in a language other than English, appropriate to the student's course of study, must also be demonstrated.
Students take the major field examination within the year following the general examination.
Following the successful completion of the major field examination, students select a dissertation committee to be approved by the Women's Studies faculty and the Graduate School. A prospectus is then prepared and presented to the dissertation committee at an oral defense. Upon approval of the prospectus, the student is advanced to candidacy. A dissertation must be completed within nine years after starting the program, or within five years after advancing to candidacy. Regular progress meetings are scheduled with the advisor while the student is writing the dissertation.