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Program Requirements

The Graduate Studies Committee will assign an advisory committee to advise the student and specify the student's program of study.
Exceptional students with appropriate background at the undergraduate level may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program.
Students must complete at least 24 course credits, with a grade point average of 3.5 or better; this coursework must be chosen to identify three distinct fields for the Comprehensive Evaluation. Students may take up to two 3-credit courses or one 6-credit course in another department with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.
There are four requirements for obtaining the doctoral degree:
1. Coursework – 24 credits at the 600 or 700 level with a grade point average of 3.5 or better. On the basis of this coursework, the student should identify three distinct fields for the Compre­hensive Evaluation. Students may take up to 6 credits in another department with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.
2. Language – Candidates will be required to demonstrate reading knowledge of a second Asian language, which may include either modern or literary (classical) language, in addition to the primary Asian language of their research. Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate reading knowledge of both French and English.
3. Ph.D. Comprehensive Evaluation – The student is required to pass the Comprehensive Evaluation within one year after completing coursework. Exceptions have to be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
4. Doctoral Dissertation – A thesis proposal (15-25 pages) should be submitted within six months after successful completion of the Ph.D. Comprehensive Evaluation, after consultation with the Graduate Program Director and the thesis supervisor. Before submission of the dissertation, candidates are expected to spend time in Asia researching their project.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.