A total of 90 credit hours overall is required for the Ph.D., including 30 credit hours for M.A. coursework; 16 credit hours of doctoral course work; and 44 credit hours of continuing degree/research credit.

For the concentration in literature, we require either an additional foreign language at the level of basic reading proficiency or advanced proficiency in the language studied at the MA-level. Language competency will be verified by the relevant foreign language department or program at IUB.

With the approval of the director of graduate studies, students may substitute an approved research skill in lieu of a second foreign language proficiency.

Students may, subject to the approval of the director of graduate studies, fulfill the research-skill requirement by completing two graduate-level courses (or their equivalent) in the areas of Ancient Languages, Specialized Archival Research, or Technology Assisted Research Methodologies. Such courses may be counted for graduate credit in a student’s program of study provided such courses are listed in this bulletin as carrying graduate credit. Each course must be passed with a grade of B (3.0) or higher to satisfy the proficiency requirement.