Satisfactory progress through the Ph.D. program is typically made by fulfilling five general requirements, each merely summarized here.  (The requirements are more technical than this: please refer only to the official program regulations for the authoritative statement of the requirements).

1. At least 66 hours of course work, with specific distributional requirements.
2. Timely and satisfactory completion of the two Comprehensive Exams in the history of philosophy from Plato through Nietzsche: one exam in Metaphysics and Epistemology, one exam in Value Theory.
3. Satisfactory completion of Philosophy 520: Logic, or its equivalent.
4. Satisfactory demonstration of reading competence in one foreign language relevant to the student’s philosophical program of study (normally German or French).
5. Satisfactory completion of three steps preparatory to writing the dissertation: the Area Proposal, the Qualifying Exam, the Dissertation Proposal (each of these steps has written and oral components).
6. Satisfactory completion and oral defense of a Dissertation.

Students entering with an M.A. in philosophy are eligible to have some of the requirements waived.  Please see the regulations for more details, and consult with the Director of Graduate Studies.

A checklist of these requirements with more specifics can be downloaded here (pdf).