Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Units of Work

  • At least 12 units of work (or the equivalent of two full years of post-baccalaureate study). Units counted toward the M.A. degree at Bryn Mawr College may also be counted toward the Ph.D. degree if the major field remains the same
  • A maximum of four units may be taken at the University of Pennsylvania under the reciprocal program
  • In the Graduate Group in Archaeology, Classics and History of Art, at least one Graduate Seminar (GSem) must be taken

Special Skills

Varies by department; see the Faculty Rules.

Application to Ph.D. Candidacy

The application is required in order to take the Preliminary Exams.

  • The application to Ph.D. candidacy [pdf] can be made as soon as sufficient coursework (as determined by the program Graduate Advisor or Chair) has been completed
  • Requires a dissertation director
  • The program appoints a Ph.D. Supervising Committee, comprising the dissertation director and three other faculty members
  • The Dean of Graduate Studies appoints the Supervising Committee Chair (a faculty member from outside the student's home program) and is subject to the approval of the Graduate Council

Preliminary Examinations

Dissertation

  • In Archaeology, Classics, History of Art, and Russian, must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the end of classes of the semester in which the student expects to complete the work for the degree. See Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) calendar.
  • In Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Clinical Developmental Psychology, must be submitted at least 25 days prior to the end of classes of the semester in which the student expects to complete the work for the degree. See GSAS calendar.
  • Dissertation Format and Guidelines
  • Must be accompanied by a letter from the dissertation director, recommending the dissertation to the Ph.D. Supervising Committee

Final Examination

  • Is an oral examination on the dissertation
  • If more than 60 months have elapsed since the candidate's first Preliminary Examination, the final exam must include written and oral re-testing on one of the Preliminary exam fields
  • Guidelines for Outside Chair and Committee Members [pdf]

Ph.D. Completion

  • Consult the Ph.D. Completion Checklist (located under Forms and Guidelines below)

Forms and Guidelines

For Chair and Committee Members