A Typical 5-Year Program

The graduate program in the department of Romance Studies comprises 14 courses, 4 of which may be taken in related fields within the department (Italian, Portuguese, etc.) or in other departments or programs (Art History, History, Philosophy, Literature, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, etc.). 

We recommend that during the first year, courses be selected from the offerings in the student’s primary field in the Department of Romance Studies.

Transfer students arriving with an MA are required to take 10 courses, 4 of which may be taken in related fields.

The requirement for the second language must be met before the student takes the Dissertation Prospectus Workshop Examination.

First Year
Fall Semester 1 3 courses - (must include ROMST 501S: Methods & Theories of Romance Studies) Research Assistantship  
Spring Semester 2 3 courses Research Assistantship  
Second Year
Fall Semester 3

3 courses - (must include FR / SP/ RS 700: Teaching Foreign Languages (Pedagogy Course)

2 courses if you entered with an MA

 Teach Language Course Level I  
Spring Semester 4 3 courses, including independent study for preparation of Portfolio Examination

2 courses if you entered with an MA

 Teach Language Course Level II  
**Portfolio exam should be completed no later than the beginning of your 3rd year**
Third Year
Fall Semester 5 2 courses, including independent study for preparation of Dissertation Prospective Workshop Exam Teach Language Course Level III  OR  TA with a Professor (Advisor)

Students entering with an MA will not teach this semester

 Take Portfolio Examination
Spring Semester 6 TA with a Professor (Advisor)  OR  Teach Language Course Level III      Take Dissertation Prospectus Workshop
**Dissertation Prospectus exam should be completed no later than the beginning of your 4th year**
**Portfolio and Dissertation Prospectus Exams must be passed before receiving funds for dissertation research abroad or to receive any funding from The Graduate School that notes you must have passed your Prelim Exam.**
Fourth Year
Fall Semester 7 Dissertation Research Abroad   Research abroad or fourth year support toward writing of dissertation (funding and research abroad are contingent on passing Dissertation Prospectus Workshop prior to departure abroad)
Spring Semester 8 Dissertation Research Abroad    
Fifth Year
Fall Semester 9 &
Spring Semester 10

These semesters can be alternated with teaching the 327S course in either Fall or Spring

  • Teach 327S course
  • Work on completing dissertation to defend
**Dissertation should be completed within 4 years after your Portfolio Exam**

Teaching support and fees for writing dissertation and job search.

Apply in September for Competitive Internal fellowships and other writing grants if needed for sixth year.
You must register for Continuation every semester, even in the semester that you Defend. You will only register in the Summer if you receive a fellowship.