Graduation Requirements
Students who follow a thesis plan of study will be required to pass an oral defense of the thesis and related historical material and submit a final draft to the Graduate School.
Upon completion of the course work, students pursuing the exam option must pass a written examination, at least three hours long, covering one principal and two secondary fields. They are also required to take an oral examination based on their written exams, portfolio and related historical material. The chairperson of the student's advisory committee will provide guidance to the student regarding the nature of the examination. Such guidance will include a list of readings compiled by the advisory committee, which, in conjunction with the student's course work, will serve as the basis for the examination. Exam option students intending to take examinations in the Spring Semester must declare their intention to take examinations by September 15th of the preceding Fall Semester; students intending to take examinations in the Fall Semester must declare their intention to do so by April 1st of the preceding Spring Semester. Declaring their intention to take exams requires them to form an exam committee and, in consultation with their committee, establish reading lists for the exams. Spring Semester written exams must be completed by April 1st and an oral examination based on the written exams and the portfolio must be held by April 15th. Fall Semester written exams must be completed by November 15th and an oral examination based on the written exams and the portfolio must be held by December 5th. Generally, master's exams will not be scheduled during the Summer Term.
Review the graduation policy for more information.