Doctor of Philosophy - Degree Requirements

1. Completion of at least ten units of graduate course work beyond the requirements for the M.A. degree. No more than 1.5 units of credit in 400-level courses beyond those presented for the M.A. will be counted toward the ten units. Among this minimum of 10 units required for the doctoral preliminary examination level (Stage II), at least 8 units must be for courses in Germanic Languages and Literatures. These 10 units may include up to 1 unit of GER 593: Research in Special Topics, but may not include any credit for GER 496: Special Topics in German Studies for work taken as independent study. The ten units must include at least one 500-level course in each of the following areas:

a. German or Scandinavian literature before 1500 1 unit
b. German literature since 1500 1 unit
c. German, Germanic, or Scandinavian linguistics 1 unit

Click here to see departmental courses with graduate degree credit.

(Note: These requirements regarding the minimum of 10 units were revised in April, 1997, and are effective for students beginning study at the doctoral level in Fall 1997 and thereafter. For the requirements prior to that revision consult the July 1995 edition of this booklet.)

2. Completion of German 582 - Theories and Methods of German Language Teaching, and the teaching of elementary or intermediate German (at least one half-time appointment as teaching assistant for one academic year).

3. A reading knowledge of two research languages other than English and German, to be chosen in consultation with the director of graduate studies. This knowledge is to be demonstrated before the candidate is admitted to the preliminary examination. One of these two research languages will normally have been presented by the student in fulfillment of the requirements for the M.A. degree. (See the UIUC's A Handbook for Graduate Students and Advisers)

4. Successful completion of the written and oral preliminary examinations for admittance to the thesis stage.

The Ph.D. committee is appointed by the Dean of the Graduate College upon recommendation of the Head of the Department. The committee normally consists of five graduate faculty members, a majority of whom must be in the Department. The Head recommends membership on the committee after consultation with the student. At least two of the three written examinations must be administered by members of the graduate faculty of the Department. All members of the committee read the written examinations and the thesis and may pose questions in the oral examinations

5. Completion of at least eight units of thesis research on a topic concerning older German literature, modern German literature, Germanic linguistics, Scandinavian literature or linguistics, or German language pedagogy.

6. Successful oral defense of the Ph.D. thesis. The Ph.D. final examination consists of the public defense of the completed thesis. Public announcement of the defense should be made in advance, and a one-page abstract of the thesis provided to the departmental faculty and graduate students. The thesis, as approved by the thesis advisor, must be made available to each member of the Ph.D. committee at least three weeks before the final examination is to take place. The final version of the thesis, incorporating any changes deemed necessary by the committee, must conform to all requirements of the Graduate College.

Ph.D. Committee

The Ph.D. committee is appointed by the dean of the Graduate College upon recommendation of the head of the department. The committee normally consists of five graduate faculty members, a majority of whom must be in the department. The department head recommends membership on the committee after consultation with the students and the director of graduate studies. At least tow of the three written examinations must be administered by members of the graduate faculty of the department. All members of the committee read the written examinations and the thesis and may pose questions in the oral examinations. (See the UIUC's A Handbook for Graduate Students and Advisors)

Grading of Written Examinations

The grading of written examinations is on a pass/fail basis. In case of a failure on any part of the examination, the committee will decide whether the student shall be permitted to repeat that part.

Preliminary Written Examinations

The preliminary written examinations consist of three four-hour examinations, two of which cover the student's area of concentration in the department. The third examination may be in a field outside the department. The examinations are of a comprehensive nature. They test the student's critical abilities and familiarity with subject matter and methodology, and serve to indicate whether the student has adequate preparation and ability to carry out independent scholarly research. A reading list is established by the student in consultation with the members of the Ph.D. committee.

(Note: These requirements relating to the written examination were revised in November, 1995, and are effective for students beginning study for this degree in Fall 1996 and thereafter. For the requirements prior to that revision consult the July, 1995, edition of this booklet.)

Preliminary Oral Examinations

The preliminary oral examination is administered only after the successful completion of the written preliminary examinations. At least one week in advance, the student presents the Ph.D. committee with a thesis prospectus, including a statement of purpose and method, an outline, and a survey of previous research on the subject. Committee members then pose questions related to the thesis topic, to the methodology to be employed, and to the student's general background and training. The committee offers advice to the candidate concerning the thesis project, and seeks to determine whether the proposed investigation is feasible, within the capabilities of the student, and would represent a contribution to the field. Upon successful completion of the preliminary oral examination, the student is admitted to candidacy for the thesis stage. Decisions of the Ph.D. committee must be unanimous. (See the UIUC's A Handbook for Graduate Students and Advisors)