The Catholic University of America's Doctor of Philosophy in Medieval and Byzantine Studies program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the rich and complex histories, cultures, and languages of the medieval and Byzantine worlds. Students will engage in advanced research and coursework, benefiting from the expertise of distinguished faculty and access to extensive resources. The program prepares graduates for academic careers and positions in cultural institutions, focusing on in-depth analysis and critical scholarship. Join us in exploring and contributing to the field of medieval and Byzantine studies.
Doctorate
Medieval & Byzantine Studies (PhD)
Degrees
The Doctorate of Philosophy in Medieval and Byzantine Studies program is a 54-credit-hour plus dissertation degree program.
1. Course Work
a) The M.A. Program in Medieval and Byzantine Studies (30 credit-hours). [Students with master's degrees in other programs or from other accredited institutions can apply to transfer up to 24 hours of graduate credit.]
b) Six approved graduate courses (18 credit hours) in the area of specialization, i.e., in one of the following three categories, selected in one discipline or in a combination of two or more disciplines with the approval of the MBS director and the major faculty adviser:
a. History and Social Structures
b. Thought and Worship
c. Cultural and Artistic Expressions
c) Four approved graduate courses (12 credit hours) in the minor area, with the approval of the MBS director and the minor faculty adviser. The minor area should be a separate area of interest, with only limited overlap with the major area. The minor area can be a traditional discipline (e.g., history, philosophy), a subject area (e.g., Anglo-Saxon England), a methodologically based field (e.g., gender studies), or any other coherent field of study.
2. Language Requirements
a) Demonstrated competence, as determined by examination or by performance in a designated course (grade no lower than 'B') or in a translation project, in Latin, Greek or Arabic, and, in accordance with the student's planned dissertation research, in any necessary medieval vernacular languages.
b) Demonstrated reading knowledge of two modern foreign languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, or other approved modern language).
3. Comprehensive Examinations
Written comprehensive examinations in (a) the area of specialization and (b) the minor area. Reading lists and preparation for the examination will be developed in collaboration between the student and the major and minor faculty advisers and must be approved by the MBS director. For information on the structure of the exam click here (pdf).
4. Doctoral Dissertation
Doctoral dissertation supervised by the major faculty adviser. The dissertation committee must include faculty from more than one discipline.
$1,250 / credit hour
More information about this degree is available on the School website or by request from our Admissions team.