All of our M.A. and Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate reading proficiency in one or more second languages.
Language Proficiency
Proficiency is achieved when you acquire the expertise to read widely in secondary literature and undertake original research in another language. Your M.A. and Ph.D. Committees will work with you to determine, based upon your individual programs of study and/or thesis/dissertation research, the additional languages required and how you will demonstrate your proficiency. Minimum requirements must be fulfilled by all students before the M.A. Comprehensive Exam or the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exams.
For spoken languages that rarely, if ever, generate written texts, an ad hoc oral exam will be provided. To satisfy the language requirements in Latin and Greek, M.A. and Ph.D. students may, in consultation with and approval from their committee, substitute a 400-level course passed with a grade of B or better, in place of the department proficiency exam. Language courses do not apply toward degree course requirements in History, unless they are at the 500 level or higher.
