Areas of Study
Program Overview
We offer PhD programs in three areas of study: French and Francophone Studies, Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Studies, and Italian Studies. Our students are supported by faculty members within and outside the department and we encourage students to take advantage of the University's many interdisciplinary programs. Check out our alumni outcomes here!
The Joint PhD Program in Theater & Performance Studies (TAPS) allows students to complement their doctoral studies in Romance Languages and Literatures with a program of study in TAPS that reflects their particular training and interests, encompassing both academic and artistic work. Please visit the TAPS graduate program website for additional information on the joint program.
Size of the Program
There are approximately four to seven students in each year's PhD cohort.
Time to Completion
Each program has slightly different requirements but all PhD students in Romance Languages and Literatures should be ABD (All But Dissertation) by the end of their third year. 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 teaching mentorship; preparation for comprehensive exams. |
| Year 3 | Comprehensive exams; language lectureships; complete dissertation proposal and colloquium to reach candidacy/become ABD. |
| Year 4 | Dissertation research and writing; applications for dissertation completion fellowships; literature teaching mentorship/TAship. |
| 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 course 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.
Alumni Outcomes
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. See our Alumni Outcomes page for a list.
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 Humanities Division website.
Applications Requirements
RLL-specific information can be found on this page. Further details regarding admissions requirements, including the application deadline, can be found on the Division of the Humanities website.
Questions?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Register for an information session or appointment with an admissions representative
- Questions about the application process may be directed to humanitiesadmissions@uchicago.edu or 773.702.5809
- Students do not need to contact faculty before applying
- For program-specific information, please contact the graduate adviser for the RLL program that interests you, or email romance-languages@uchicago.edu
Additional Resources for Prospective Students
- Visit Campus
- Living in Chicago
- Cost of Attendance
- Division of Humanities
- International Students
- Follow Humanities on Instagram
- Follow RLL on social media
Masters Degree Program
The University of Chicago offers Masters-level study in Catalan, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish language and culture through the Master of Arts Program in Humanities (MAPH). In this one-year program, students build their own curriculum with graduate-level courses in any humanities department (including Romance Languages and Literatures) and complete a thesis with a faculty adviser.
Students may also pursue more thorough language training in the MAPH Two-Year Language Option (MAPH TLO). MAPH TLO students begin taking language classes in their first year of the program, weaving language-focused coursework into the traditional MAPH year. Students continue to focus on their language skills in the second year of the program, registering for a minimum of nine total language classes during the two years they are at the University.