Master of Philosophy – Requirements by Year

Following completion of the en route MA in year one, doctoral students complete the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) stage in years two and three. This stage completes the transition from coursework, to qualifying exams, to independent research. 

Required

  • Registration: Two Full Residence Units.
  • Advising: A minimum of two meetings per semester between student and advisor.
  • Coursework: At least 6 graded courses (18-24 credits), with grades of B or higher
    • Seminar Requirement: Four (4) 6000-level seminars, or equivalents, generally two per semester.
    • Distribution of Classes: Complete all remaining distribution requirements.
  • Language Proficiency: Continue language study and proficiency examinations. Both language requirements must be completed before June 30th of the third year.
  • Teaching: Unless otherwise arranged with the DGS and GSAS, all second-year doctoral students will be appointed as a Teaching Assistant for the fall and spring semesters. Standard assignments are to departmental lectures or, more rarely, to lectures in affiliated units such as CSER, ISSG, and Barnard Theatre. 

Recommended

  • Participate in a CTL pedagogical development program
  • Revise a seminar paper for presentation at a conference or workshop
  • Pitch and write a book review or review essay for an academic or public-facing journal
  • Apply for a GSAS Summer Language Fellowship, departmental summer language funding, or departmental summer internship funding

Required

  • Registration: Two Full Residence Units.
  • Coursework 1: Register for the Third Year Proseminar (biweekly, fall and spring)
  • Coursework 2: If necessary, complete any remaining coursework (e.g., to complete the requirements of a graduate certificate program, with grades of B or higher).
  • Language Proficiency: Complete the second and final proficiency exam by June 30th of the third year.
  • Teaching: Students in year three of the doctoral program are exempted from teaching in order to focus on the Oral Exam and Dissertation Prospectus.
  • Orals: Successful completion of the Oral Exam by the published deadline. NB: the current Oral Exam deadline is March 13, 2027.
  • Dissertation Prospectus: Submission of an approved Dissertation Prospectus by the published deadline. NB: the current Prospectus submission deadline is May 3, 2027.
  • Progress to PhD Candidacy: Students who complete all the above requirements, will progress to PhD candidacy – aka, “All But Dissertation” (“ABD”) status. PhD candidacy will be denied to students who do not complete the requirements for the MPhil, who receive a grade of “fail” or “low pass” on the Oral Exam, or who fail to submit an approved prospectus by the published deadline. 

Recommended

  • Revise a seminar paper for possible submission as a peer reviewed article
  • Apply for a GSAS Summer Language Fellowship, departmental summer language funding, or departmental summer internship funding