Each PhD student must demonstrate competence in at least one research tool by August 31 of the academic year following the Qualifying Year. A research tool may be one of the following:
- reading knowledge of a language other than English,
- familiarity with a discipline other than philosophy (e.g., linguistics, psychology, or mathematics),
- mastery of research methods not typical in philosophy (e.g., statistical methods)
The research tool will be determined by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the student’s thesis committee.
A student whose thesis committee requires more than one research tool may request an additional 6 months to complete the requirement. Such a request must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.