Program Requirements

Ph.D. Program (Entry After Completing MA or Equivalent)

  • Coursework. Students normally complete 4 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
    • 3.5 graduate FCEs, including a mandatory extra-departmental course (0.5 FCE) and up to two other extra-departmental courses (1.0 FCE) chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
    • ITA 1000H Methodologies for the Teaching and Study of Italian (0.5 FCE);
  • Language requirements. Students must show evidence of written and oral command of Italian; and, not later than the beginning of Year 3 of Ph.D. registration, must have demonstrated a reading knowledge of Latin and one other language approved by the department.
    • Possible options for Latin Proficiency Exam:
      • LAT 101 and LAT 102 (Classics Department) with minimum B- grade requested.
      • Medieval Latin I (SMC222H1, St. Michael's College)
      • CMS (LATIN EXAM)
      • Other options could be discussed with the Graduate Coordinator
  • Program progress. All students must maintain a minimum A– average in order to remain in the program.
  • Upon completion of all course requirements, and not later than Year 2 of the Ph.D. program, students will complete the series of written and oral qualifying examinations.
  • Thesis and a Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis. Permission to write the thesis in Italian (subject to final approval by the School of Graduate Studies) may be granted to students who first pass a supervised essay-type English examination to demonstrate proficiency in writing correct and idiomatic English prose.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years


Ph.D. Program (Direct-Entry)

  • Coursework. Students will normally complete 8 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
    • 7.5 graduate FCEs, including a mandatory extra-departmental course (0.5 FCE) and up to two other extra-departmental courses (1.0 FCE) chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
    • ITA 1000H Methodologies for the Teaching and Study of Italian (0.5 FCE);
  • Language requirements. Students must show evidence of written and oral command of Italian; and, not later than the beginning of Year 3 of Ph.D. registration, must have demonstrated a reading knowledge of Latin and one other language approved by the department.
    • Possible options for Latin Proficiency Exam:
      • LAT 101 and LAT 102 (Classics Department) with minimum B- grade requested.
      • Medieval Latin I (SMC222H1, St. Michael's College)
      • CMS (LATIN EXAM)
      • Other options could be discussed with the Graduate Coordinator
  • Program progress. All students must maintain a minimum A– average in order to remain in the program.
  • Upon completion of all course requirements, and not later than Year 2 of the Ph.D. program, students will complete the series of written and oral qualifying examinations.
  • Thesis and a Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis. Permission to write the thesis in Italian (subject to final approval by the School of Graduate Studies) may be granted to students who first pass a supervised essay-type English examination to demonstrate proficiency in writing correct and idiomatic English prose.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years