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  4. PhD Program: Year 1

Year 1: Requirements, Expectations & Deadlines

Updated October 2026

Program Emphasis

During the first year in the PhD Program, students should acquire the breadth of knowledge foundational to PhD-level work. In this timeframe, students come to know the faculty, their research areas and methods. During the first year, students are expected to take nine courses and have a 50% TA position (or other form of financial support).  If available, students may be able to take a 4-unit 500-level course connected to their TA position, which typically includes pedagogical training and related coursework.  NOTE: 500-level courses do not apply to the PhD Worksheet requirements.

In the course of these seminars, students will complete the required theory sequence. LTTH-210A and LTTH-210B must be taken in the first year, while LTTH-210C may be taken in the Spring Quarter of the first, second, or third year. During the first two years of study, students should make every effort to complete the language and historical breadth requirements, leaving the third year free to devote to seminar work, more focused study, and preparing for the qualifying examinations.

Course Requirements (Year 1)
Fall (1st Quarter) Winter (2nd Quarter) Spring (3rd Quarter)
LTTH-210A LTTH-210B LTTH-210C (or another Grad seminar)
Grad Seminar Grad Seminar Grad Seminar
500-level Course or Grad Seminar 500-level Course or Grad Seminar 500-level Course or Grad Seminar

Additional Expectations & Deadlines

First Quarter:

  • Attend the PhD Orientation.
  • Meet with the DDS and your First-Year Faculty Mentor
  • Review your up-to-date PhD Worksheet in your "SHARED Progress" folder in your Google Drive. If any courses are listed as "NEED PETITION", fill out and submit a PhD Seminar Requirements Petition for review. Enter comments on your PhD Worksheet if you want to request any changes be made.
  • Plan out and register in Winter courses. Contact advising staff at litgrad@ucsd.edu if you have any questions about your planned courses.

Second Quarter:

  • Meet with the DDS and your First-Year Faculty Mentor
  • Complete annual Spring Evaluation self-assessment (March).
  • Review your up-to-date PhD Worksheet in your "SHARED Progress" folder in your Google Drive. If any courses are listed as "NEED PETITION", fill out and submit a PhD Seminar Requirements Petition for review. Enter comments on your PhD Worksheet if you want to request any changes be made.
  • Plan out and register in Spring courses. Contact advising staff at litgrad@ucsd.edu if you have any questions about your planned courses.

Third Quarter:

  • Meet with the DDS and your First-Year Faculty Mentor
  • Review and sign annual Spring Evaluation (May).
  • Prepare to file for California residency reclassification, if applicable.
  • Review your up-to-date PhD Worksheet in your "SHARED Progress" folder in your Google Drive. If any courses are listed as "NEED PETITION", fill out and submit a PhD Seminar Requirements Petition for review. Enter comments on your PhD Worksheet if you want to request any changes be made.
  • Plan out and register in Fall courses. Contact advising staff at litgrad@ucsd.edu if you have any questions about your planned courses.