Full-time students who must complete 45 credits usually take eight courses (four each semester) in their first year, including Issues in the History of Design and the Decorative Arts, offered in the first semester, or Foundations of Material Culture. In their second year, they take 9 credits each semester. In their third year, they identify the fields in which they will be examined. By the end of the third year, students take and pass qualifying examinations in three fields; by the end of the fourth year, they should have had their dissertation proposal accepted. Full-time students complete the dissertation at the latest by the end of the 10th year. Part-time students must complete the dissertation by the end of their 12th year. Doctoral students from other fields may be required to take Survey of the Decorative Arts and Design in their first year of study.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations
The Ph.D. qualifying examinations cover three fields of study and have both oral and written components. The three examinations may be taken at separate times; students who do not pass the written portion of the examination may take it one additional time. All three examinations must be successfully completed by the end of the second year of full-time doctoral study, if the student has a 27-credit requirement for the degree, or by the end of the third year of full-time study, for students with a 45-credit requirement.

Field Examinations

The field examinations are intended to ensure that the student has broad knowledge of three distinct areas of study. The student may select three fields from a list of subject areas drawn up by the BGC. Fields are defined chronologically, by geography, by medium, by theme, or by other concepts approved by the Graduate Committee.

Alternatively, the student may choose two fields from the list and may opt to choose as the third field an area of individual interest. This is subject to review and approval by the Graduate Committee. It must be a clearly defined area of scholarly inquiry, which may be related to the area in which the student’s dissertation topic is likely to be concentrated. Once field topics are approved, the student, with the assistance of an adviser, prepares reading lists to serve as the basis for study. The adviser, together with one other faculty member selected by the Graduate Committee (with the assistance of an outside scholar if necessary), is responsible for composing, administering, and evaluating the field examinations.


The Doctoral Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation should make a significant and substantial contribution to the understanding of the history of the decorative arts, design, and culture. The dissertation should be completed and defended within two years of the approval of the dissertation proposal by the Graduate Committee. The Bard Graduate Center assists the student in seeking financial support for dissertation work, including funds for travel, archival research, and fellowships. It is the responsibility of the student to keep the members of the Dissertation Committee informed of progress and to solicit advice and guidance as needed.

Dissertation Proposal
The process of selecting a dissertation topic and writing the dissertation proposal has three parts:

1. The student nominates a Dissertation Committee consisting of three individuals, including a dissertation adviser who is a member of the full-time faculty.

2. In many cases, the student travels to the site of objects, archives, and other resources needed for the dissertation to determine whether adequate access will be possible. Travel funds designated for feasibility studies of dissertation projects, as well as for research, may be available to students who have completed their qualifying examinations. Doctoral students may apply for these funds at the announced time.

3. The dissertation proposal demonstrates that the student is familiar with the relevant literature, recognizes appropriate methods to be followed, is prepared to contribute to the scholarly discourse on the chosen topic, and will be able to produce the dissertation within a reasonable period of time. The proposal is submitted to the Graduate Committee for discussion. The Graduate Committee makes the final decision on the approval of the dissertation proposal.

Presentation and Defense of the Dissertation
Aall three members of the Dissertation Committee must approve the doctoral dissertation. The student presents and defends the dissertation orally.

NOTE: Enrolled doctoral students should also consult the BGC Student Handbook for the most recent guidelines for the Ph.D. program, and defense procedures. For more specific information about the procedure for a defense, please consult with the Office of Academic Programs and the director of doctoral studies..

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