All doctoral applicants are expected to have foundational language skills needed for primary research (textual or ethnographic) in the area of specialization (Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, etc.) at the time of application. In addition, admitted students must, in consultation with their advisers, select two languages other than English relevant to their studies.  Students will be required to demonstrate competency in these languages prior to sitting for their comprehensive exams.  The chosen languages should equip the students to engage the most important commentarial discourses (oral or written) in their areas of scholarship.  These two languages represent a minimum requirement; specific subfields or research projects may require others.