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PHD

IPGRH is broken down into a series of requirements needed to complete the Ph.D. These pages provide an overview of the Greek and Roman History Program. The Graduate Handbook will describe the Program in more detail. 

A typical graduate student completes the Program within five or six years. In the first year, students typically take four courses per semester. During this time, students also prepare for and complete at least one modern language exam. It is recommended that during the summer prior to joining the Program, students work on their modern languages as well as begin the Greek and Latin reading lists for the qualifying exams. 

In the second year, students continue to take courses, while also teaching as graduate student instructors for one course per semester (Greek History in the fall, Roman History in the winter). Ideally, students also complete their second modern language exam, as well as at least one of their ancient language qualifying exams during their second year. By the following summer, students should begin to plan for preliminary exams. 

In their third year, students may continue to teach and take courses, while also preparing for preliminary exams. 

By the end of their third year, students are required to finish all qualifying and preliminary exams in order to qualify for candidacy. Students with exceptional preparation may finish their exams early. 

After completing preliminary exams, students prepare and submit a dissertation proposal for the review of their committee. Upon approval, candidates then research and write their dissertations, during which time they continue to teach, apply for fellowships, or study abroad. Candidates work closely with their committee members throughout the writing process. 

Upon completion of their dissertation, usually by the end of their fifth or sixth year, students then defend their dissertation in front of their committee, and upon approval, are granted the Ph.D. degree in Greek and Roman History.