Doctor of Philosophy
Admission: For full instructions on how to apply, see our description of application procedures.
Specific Course Requirements: Students are required to achieve proficiency in two Middle Eastern languages to demonstrate both advanced proficiency in their language of specialization and reading proficiency in a second Middle Eastern language. In addition, students are trained to develop knowledge of critical methods and interpretive theories relevant to Middle East Studies and the Humanities to prepare for research and teaching in their field of specialization and engage in critical work in the humanities, within and beyond academia.
Modern Language of Scholarship Requirement: Students are required to have reading proficiency in two languages of scholarship (European or non-European) in addition to English. English may count as a language of scholarship if it is not the native language of the student.
Preliminary Examination: Students will take their preliminary exams during their sixth semester of residency in the program. Prelims consist of four exams: 1) Literature Review; 2) Philology/Translation Exam in the Primary Language of Research; 3) Major field of Research; 4) Secondary Field of Research.
Candidate Status: Candidacy requirements are described in the Doctoral Degrees section of the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies.
Dissertation Prospectus: A prospectus outlining plans for the student's dissertation must be submitted by December 1 of the student's seventh term in the program.
For information on the dissertation committee, final oral examination, and publication of dissertation, see the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies and the Dissertation Handbook (pdf).
