Graduation Requirements
Students who follow a thesis plan of study will be required to pass an oral defense of the thesis and related historical material and submit a final draft to the Graduate School.
Upon completion of the coursework, students pursuing the exam option must pass a written examination, at least three hours long, covering one principal and two secondary fields. They are also required to pass an oral examination based on their written exams, portfolio and related historical material. The chairperson of the student's advisory committee will provide guidance to the student regarding the nature of the portfolio and examination. Such guidance will include a list of readings compiled by the advisory committee, which, in conjunction with the student's coursework, will serve as the basis for the examination.
Exam option students intending to take examinations in the spring semester must declare their intention to take examinations by September 15 of the preceding fall semester. Students intending to take examinations in the fall semester must declare their intention to do so by April 1 of the preceding spring semester.
Declaring an intention to take exams requires students to form an exam committee and, in consultation with their committee, establish reading lists for the exams.
Spring semester written exams must be completed by April 1 and an oral examination based on the written exams and the portfolio must be held by April 15.
Fall semester written exams must be completed by November 15 and an oral examination based on the written exams and the portfolio must be held by December 5. Generally, master's-level exams will not be scheduled during the summer term.
Review the graduation policy for more information.
