Important Dates and Deadlines

: Graduate Program Exam FAQs / How are my exams scheduled?

Fall Semester 

  • First full week of October: Written PhD Comprehensive Examinations
  • Second full week of October: Written MA Comprehensive Examinations

Spring Semester

  • First full week of March: Written PhD Comprehensive Examinations
  • Second full week of February: Written MA Comprehensive Examinations

Other Important Dates

  • The MA and PhD oral exams will be administered within three weeks after the student has passed the written sections of the MA Comprehensive Examinations.
  • Students must form their PhD Dissertation Committee, submit their dissertation proposal (following all department guidelines) to that committee, and have it approved by the end of the semester during which they take and pass their PhD Comprehensive Examinations.
  • The Graduate School posts  under the heading Graduation Requirements which must be observed by all graduate students.