Graduate Programs
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures’ PhD programs offer rigorous scholarly training in small cohorts, with students progressing through coursework, examinations, teaching, and dissertation research in preparation for a wide range of academic and non-academic careers. With comprehensive funding, close faculty mentorship, and a strong commitment to pedagogical and professional development, the program provides students with the support and resources to thrive from admission through dissertation completion.
Information for All Programs
Size of the Program
There are approximately three to five students in each year's PhD cohort.
Time to Completion
Each program has slightly different requirements but PhD students in Romance Languages and Literatures should be ABD (All But Dissertation) by the end of winter quarter of year four. Students are expected to graduate within six years, though students may be granted a seventh year of registration with advanced approval from the department. A general program of study summary, including major degree milestones, is below. For details, see the RLL Student Handbook.
| Year 1 | Coursework; preparation for language requirements; first-year exam. |
| Year 2 | Completion of coursework; fulfill language requirements; complete qualifying paper; language pedagogy training; preparation for comprehensive exam. |
| Year 3 | Comprehensive exam; language lectureships; complete dissertation proposal and colloquium to reach candidacy/become ABD. |
| Year 4 | Dissertation research and writing; applications for dissertation completion fellowships; teaching assistantship. |
| Year 5 | Dissertation research and writing; literature lectureship; applications for dissertation completion fellowships; job applications. |
| Year 6 | Dissertation completion; job applications. |
Courses
Students typically take three courses per quarter during their first two years in the program. See the Courses page for a list of our course offerings.
Teaching
As an integral part of the doctoral program, students will be exposed to a variety of teaching methodologies through coursework, mentoring and workshops, and will gain teaching experience by serving in different roles in our undergraduate program. See the RLL Pedagogical Training Plan for more information.
Funding
All admitted PhD students are guaranteed to have full funding support from the University and external sources, or a combination of the two for the duration of their program. Applicants do not need to apply separately for funding. More information can be found on the Division of the Arts & Humanities website.
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Learn more about the French and Francophone Studies program, where students engage the language, literature, and cultures of the French-speaking world across diverse historical and global contexts.
Explore the Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Studies program, which offers a comprehensive curriculum highlighting the linguistic and cultural diversity of Iberian, Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx communities.
Explore the department's Italian Studies program, where students engage Italy’s language, literature, and culture through a rich and interdisciplinary course of study.
Current students whose interests lie at the intersection of more than one Romance language and literature may pursue a course of study in two RLL graduate programs.
RLL alumni go on to achieve successful academic and non-academic careers. Our graduates have obtained faculty positions at American and international institutions, as well as jobs in museums, businesses, and nonprofits.
Find deaprtment-specific information about applications and gain access to university admissions information, including the application deadline and online application.