Students enrolled in the PhD program complete 80 credits over the course of 5 years. For the first two years of study students complete the core curriculum (history, theory, criticism, methods, colloquia and qualifying paper). During the third year of study students sit their comprehensive exams and write their dissertation proposal. The fourth and fifth years are spent researching and writing the dissertation. Although it is estimated that it will take about 5 years to complete the program, it should however be mentioned that it will not be uncommon for students to take about 6 – 7 years before completing all the course work, research, and the dissertation. All students must have completed their master’s degree and are expected to meet the minimum 2-years residency requirement when they are admitted into the Ph.D. Program.
Curriculum Course Listing
YEAR 1
Fall
Colloq. 1 Ind. Study. Practicum Studio (8018) 3 credits
Advanced Theory 1 (9021) 3 credits
Elective 1 3 credits
Elective 2 3 credits
Spring
Colloq. 2 Ind. Study Practicum Semi (8019) 3 credits
Advanced Theory 2 (9022) 3 credits
Elective 1 3 credits
Elective 2 3 credits
YEAR 2
Fall
Colloquium 3 (8093) 3 credits
Advanced Theory 3 (9023) 3 credits
Ind. Study Thesis Writing Workshop 3 credits
Elective 4 3 credits
Spring
Colloquium 4 (8094) 3 credits
Advanced Theory 4 (9024) 3 credits
Ind. Study Qualifying Paper (9011) 3 credits
Elective 5 3 credits
YEAR 3
Fall
Comprehensive Exam - minor (9013) 6 credits
Elective 6: Ind. Study/Arch Hist. Survey (9017) 3 credits
Elective 7 3 credits
Spring
Dissertation Proposal (9012) 6 credits
Comprehensive Exam – major (9014) 6 credits
YEAR 4
Post-Candidacy Minimum Credit Requirements:
Fall
Field Research (9091) 3 credits
Spring
Field Research (9092) 3 credits
YEAR 5
Fall
Dissertation (9015) 1 credits
Spring
Dissertation (9016) 1 credits
Total Credits 80 credits
Please download our spreadsheet outlining these courses across the academic years.
The Course Distribution
Core courses 27 credits
Major Area 15 credits
Minor Area 9 credits
Electives 21 credits
Graduate School Post-Candidacy 8 Credits
Total 80
Admission to Candidacy Upon Completion of All Course Work and Examinations
Once a doctoral student completes all required course work and examinations, and has been admitted to candidacy, the student needs to complete a minimum of 8 credit hours in the research years before fulfilling all graduation requirements. The registration requirement can be 1 credit hour per semester afterwards. It is 1 credit hour per year if the student is not on campus using resources (housing, labs, working on campus, using the library, etc.). If the student is on campus using such services then the requirement is 1 credit hour per semester.
International Students Who Have Completed Course Work and Examinations
Once an international student completes all course work and passes all examinations, he/she must submit a reduced course load request to the Office of International Services following certification from the coordinator of the Ph.D. Program that the student had completed all course work and examinations.
