Foreign Language Requirements

Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate average proficiency in two foreign languages or high proficiency in one.

Language requirements must be satisfied before taking candidacy examinations.

Foreign language proficiency may be demonstrated in French, German, Greek (classical or koine), Italian, Latin (classical or medieval), Russian, Spanish, or another language approved by the Director of Graduate Studies on the basis of demonstrated need. Languages other than Greek, Latin, French, German, Russian, Italian, or Spanish must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies on the grounds of their relevance to the student's program of studies.

To satisfy language requirements, students may demonstrate proficiency in a number of ways:

• For average or high proficiency: an appropriate score on a translation examination on a text approved by the Director of Graduate Studies and administered by the Office of Testing Services (Adams Hall). A list of recommended texts for translation is available from the Graduate Secretary.
• For average proficiency: a grade of S (satisfactory) in special courses for graduate students offered by the Department of Foreign Languages (FLFR 382 for French, FLGE 382 for German, and FLSP 382 for Spanish).
• For average proficiency: provide documentation of a degree from a college or university at which a foreign language was the language of instruction. In some cases, an undergraduate major in a foreign language may be approved upon petition to the Graduate School as a demonstration of proficiency.