Qualifying Exam:
Everyone, even those who arrive with an M.A., must take a qualifying exam sometime shortly after the end of their first year. This exam is based on a reading list of approximately 20 texts that reflect the common theoretical core of the Human Sciences. Most of these books are taught in one or more of the core courses.

Comprehensive Exams:
Our comprehensive exams comprise three components:

1. The Core exam. All students take this written exam. It is based on a Core reading list of approximately 70 texts, which form the basis of the student's response to general questions about the methods and problems in the study of human culture and society. The primary goal of the exam is to have students exhibit a familiarity with the intersections between theoretical and methodological models.
2. The Field Exam. The program in Human Sciences stresses that inter-disciplinary work is often strongest and most interesting when launched from a basis in the disciplines. We require all students to engage substantively with a one of the contributing disciplines (English, Anthropology, Philosophy, Women’s Studies, or others), either by fulfilling the M.A. requirements for that department or by passing a comprehensive field exam. Students take a field exam focused on their declared discipline. The exam list is developed in conjunction with the student and is administered by relevant faculty, typically consisting of the student’s advisory committee, which includes members of the Human Sciences Executive Committee. Students who arrive with an M.A. in a contributing discipline are exempted from this requirement. In the course of their work, students may get an M.A. in a specific discipline. To do so, they must fulfill the course requirements for that discipline and take the field exam required of M.A. students in that program.
   
3. The Oral Exam. All students take an oral exam, which consists of a discussion about the student's plans for dissertation research.