Degree Programs: Doctoral Program

In the fall of 1998, The Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture formally initiated its doctoral program, the first of its kind in North America, after approval by the Regents of the State of New York in September 1997. Doctoral diplomas granted indicate a doctorate in the "Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture."

Requirements for the Doctoral Degree

The doctor of philosophy degree in the history of the decorative arts, design, and culture is open to full-time and part-time students. It is awarded upon successful completion of these requirements:

Reading knowledge of two languages from among French, German, or Italian.
One of these may, by petition, be replaced by another language relevant to the dissertation area. Incoming Ph.D. students are required to take a language exam during the first week of classes in August.

For students entering the doctoral program who hold an M.A. in the decorative arts:

Courses	24 Credits
Qualifying examinations	noncredit
Doctoral Dissertation	3 Credits
	27 Credits

Full-time first-year students in the program usually take eight courses (four each semester), including 822. Foundations of Material Culture, offered in the first semester. By the start of the second year, students identify three fields of study in which they will be examined. By the end of the second year, students must take and pass examinations in all three fields; by the end of the third year, they must have their dissertation proposal accepted. Full-time students complete the dissertation by the end of their 10th year; part-time students must complete the dissertation by the end of their 12th year.

For students entering the doctoral program who hold M.A. degrees from other institutions and from other backgrounds:

Courses	42 Credits
Qualifying examinations	noncredit
Doctoral Dissertation	3 Credits
	45 Credits

Full-time students who must complete 45 credits usually take eight courses (four each semester) in their first year, including a required course that focuses intensively on questions of method and approach. In their second year, students 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 should have taken and passed qualifying examinations in three fields; by the end of the fourth year, they must have had their dissertation proposal accepted. Full-time students must complete the dissertation by the end of the 10th year; part-time students by the end of their 12th year. Doctoral students from other fields are 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 an exam may take it one additional time. A student may not take the oral section of an exam unless the written section has been passed. 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 that the Graduate Committee approves.

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.

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 students in seeking financial support for dissertation work, including funds for travel, archival research, and fellowships.The student is responsible for keeping the members of the Dissertation Committee informed of progress and for soliciting advice and guidance as needed.

Dissertation Proposal
The process of selecting a dissertation topic and writing the dissertation proposal has three parts. The student begins the process by meeting with the director of doctoral studies.

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 approval of the dissertation proposal.

Presentation and Defense of the Dissertation
All 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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