The University requires that students receiving a Ph.D. must take at least two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study. For those entering without prior graduate study or with fewer than 24 graduate credits, this usually means 12 credits per semester; for those entering with more than 24 graduate credits or with advanced standing provided by prior graduate work, this would mean 9 credits per semester.

In the middle of the student's second semester of graduate work, the Director of Graduate Studies prepares a file for the student's first-year evaluation. The contents of this file are the same for both M.A. and Ph.D. students and are listed above in the M.A. chapter. The Graduate Studies Committee will evaluate the dossier and decide whether the student should continue in the program.
 

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Advancement to Candidacy

Students who have passed their Ph.D. oral comprehensive exams in the fall of 1995 or after that date will be deemed to have passed the equivalent of the master's exam and be granted an M.A. degree unless they already have a master;s degree in Copmparative Literature from another institution. The student must file appropriate papers with the department.
 

A student unable to continue graduate studies in a given semester must file a Leave of Absence form that requires the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate School. Students may not use a Leave of Absence to study for the comprehensive examination or to write the dissertation without maintaining residence. While preparing for the comprehensive examination or writing the dissertation, students must maintain residence by registering appropriately.