The Ph.D. program normally lasts five years. The student studies full-time in residence during the first two years and takes the general examination at the end of this period or during the first semester of the third year. During the third year the student ordinarily combines study (for instance, begins preparation for and work on the dissertation) and teaching. During the fourth year the student is typically away from campus, spending a year in Russia (or, if appropriate, elsewhere) doing research for the dissertation. Students are encouraged to apply for non-Princeton fellowships for this off-campus year. The fifth year, like the third, is spent on campus, with some teaching and the remainder of the time completing the dissertation. 

Entering students arrange their programs in consultation with the director of graduate studies and advisers who are assigned to them. 

A graduate reading list is provided, consisting of both required and recommended works covering the various fields of study, intended to help students prepare for the general examination. Students are encouraged to identify both a general field of interest and a narrower, more specific topic of interest as soon as possible. In a small program, much individual attention can be given to each student, and this should permit each to focus his or her interests early and proceed briskly toward a dissertation topic. 

Students do course work in the Structure of the Russian Language (two semesters), Common Slavic and Old Church Slavonic, Old Russian texts, the History of Russian, Comparative Slavic, and one or more of the other major Slavic Languages (Czech, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Bulgarian). In order to ensure a background in theoretical linguistics, students are urged to take courses in the Linguistics Program (e.g., generative syntax, morphology, phonology, linguistic universals semantics). 

Students in Slavic Linguistics are encouraged, although not required, to take courses in Russian Literature. 

All students acquire a broad knowledge of the history and major texts of Russian literature. In consultation with the graduate advisor, students choose from a wide range of courses. Individual programs vary in accordance with the interests and background of each student. Graduate seminars cover historical periods (e.g., Russian Realism, Symbolism, Soviet and Post-Soviet Literature and Culture), specific authors (e.g., Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Tsvetaeva), theoretical approaches to literature (e.g., Russian critical tradition from Belinsky to the Tartu school and Bakhtin), and core courses in the development of literary genres (the evolution of Russian poetic form; the evolution of Russian prose). 

Students in Russian Literature are encouraged, although not required, to take courses in Russian and Slavic Linguistics. 

Candidates accepted into the program are ordinarily awarded a five-year fellowship (full tuition, health insurance, and living stipend). As part of this award--and as part of their professional training--students are expected to teach (in literature, language, or both) at least two semesters, normally after the general examinations are taken. 

The department provides graduate students with supervised training in undergraduate teaching. This experience normally takes the form of instruction in elementary or intermediate language courses, and precepting sections of Russian literature survey courses. Usually, this teaching begins only after the first two years. 

Students in Russian literature are expected to demonstrate a reading knowledge of either (1) French and German, or (2) French or German and one Slavic language other than Russian. Students in Russian and Slavic language and linguistics are expected to demonstrate knowledge of either (1) German and (2) one Slavic language other than Russian or (2) two Slavic languages other than Russian. Czech, Polish, Serbo-Croatian and Bulgarian are offered on a regular basis. These language requirements must be satisfied before the student is admitted to the general examination. Applicants are urged to begin their preparation in these languages as soon as possible. 

Until they pass their general examinations, students have diagnostic tests each year in the Russian language to evaluate their progress. 

The general examination consists of written and oral portions. The satisfactory completion of the written examination is a condition for admission to the oral examination. The general examination is based on coursework and the graduate reading list, of which there are two versions: one for those concentrating on Russian literature and one for those concentrating in Slavic linguistics. 

The dissertation normally emerges from work already undertaken in seminars or other courses under the guidance of departmental faculty. It should be an essay in depth on a subject that can be treated in 150 to 200 pages. In the final public oral examination, the candidate defends the dissertation in the presence of departmental faculty and other informed or interested scholars and is expected to demonstrate mastery of the subject and effectiveness in oral discourse. 

Applicants must have a firm foundation in the Russian language (at least three years of college Russian) and be fluent in English. For students planning to specialize in language and linguistics, previous training in general, synchronic, and diachronic linguistics is highly desirable. Applicants in literature should have a general knowledge of the Russian literary tradition and its major writers and works. Prospective graduate students are strongly encouraged to contact the Department and, if possible, to come to campus and meet the faculty. To arrange a meeting, or for any other questions, call the Office Manager at (609) 258-4726, or FAX at (609) 258-2204. 

For additional information regarding admission to Princeton University, please visit the Graduate School's website at http://webware.princeton.edu/GSO/. You can also request an application at this site. 

At any university, the catalogue contains many more courses than are actually taught in any given year.  Graduate students should be aware that some of the courses with undergraduate numbers (e.g., 103, 104, 405, 406) are also relevant to their interests. Please refer to http://www.princeton.edu/pr/catalog/gsa/ for the most recent Graduate School Announcement.