During their second year, Ph.D. students start the transition from coursework to dissertation research. In addition to the minimum of six courses taken for a quality grade and completion of a field, students must also complete a qualifying paper.

Comprehensive Exams

Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying exam, as specified by their Area of Focus, by the end of the summer of their first year of study. This might be a GPA minimum in specified courses, a written exam, or some other assessment as determined by faculty in the Area. For most students, to waive the qualifying exams they will need to earn a B+ over the necessary course sequences. If the comprehensive exam is not passed then the student must petition to take the exam a second time. If students fail to pass the comprehensive exam the second time then they will be dismissed from the program. 

Qualifying Paper

Ph.D. students must complete the qualifying paper requirement according to guidelines prescribed by the Ph.D. committee and must present the paper in an appropriate University of Chicago forum. An acceptable qualifying paper will show evidence that the student is developing the capacity for formulating and conducting an independent research project and for creating a scholarly argument. Although co-authors are allowed per the approval of the student’s advisor, only one student may submit this paper as a qualifying paper. There is no exception to the rule. All other student coauthors must send an email to the Program Director stating that they approve using the paper for that student's requirement; All faculty coauthors must send an email to the Program Director explaining how the student's contribution makes the submission appropriate. Ideally, the qualifying paper will constitute a step toward completion of the student’s dissertation proposal. The paper’s length should approximate that of a conference paper or a paper to be sent to a top journal in the student’s field.

Students are expected to complete this qualifying paper by the end of the summer of their second year of study. Students who do not submit a satisfactory qualifying paper by the end of fall quarter of their 3rd year will need to submit a petition to remain in the program.