1. Maintain at least a 3.5 average, with no course below B-, in each semester of graduate study. Students who fail to fulfill these requirements in any semester will be automatically placed on probation during the following semester and will be subject to possible dismissal;

2. Receive a satisfctory first-year evaluation in the spring semester of the first year of study;

3. Satisfy at least one language requirement in each year of residence until all language requirements are met. All language requirements must be completed at least three months before the comprehensive examination;

4. Complete all core courses in the first two years of full-time study and all 48 credits for the Ph.D. in three years;

5. Take the comprehensive examination no later than one year after completion of course work;

6. Submit a dissertation proposal in the semester following satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination.

By rules of the Graduate School, students must satisfy all requirements for the Ph.D. within seven years after completing 24 credits of graduate work in the Stony Brook department in which they are registered. In rare instances, the Graduate School will entertain a petition to extend this time limit, provided it bears the endorsement of the department. The program may require evidence that the student is still properly prepared for completion of the degree. In particular, the student may be required to pass the comprehensive examination again in order to be permitted to continue work.