The Romance Studies PhD is a more vigorous course of study that encompasses the comparative study of two or more Romance languages and cultural traditions. Principle areas of study include: French/Francophone, Italian/Italophone, Luso-Brazilian, Spanish/Latin American. Others, such as Catalán, can be accommodated according to student preparation and faculty resources. Since special abilities and intellectual interests of certain graduate students may call for flexibility in application of the program rules, a student's advisory committee may recommend more than the usual number of outside courses or independent reading courses. Reading proficiency in two or more languages is required for this track.

The Department of Romance Studies at Duke University has a distinguished tradition of doctoral programs in French and Hispanic literatures. Through collaboration with other departments and programs-the Graduate Program in Literature and programs in Women's Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Canadian and Québec Studies, Afro-American Studies, and Latin American Studies, among others-numerous opportunities exist for interdisciplinary study and research. Individual interests and disciplinary combinations thus find ample room for development in a rich and diversified institutional setting.

The Duke Department of Romance Studies has a nationally and internationally recognized faculty of specialists in many fields and critical methods. The Duke learning environment includes exceptional library and computer facilities in the humanities. Perkins Library, one of the nation's major research libraries, houses among others the Gustave Lanson Collection in French and the Pérez de Velasco Collection in Latin American Studies. During the academic year, the department sponsors numerous lectures and visits by distinguished critics and writers. The department provides computer facilities and instruction in the use of computer-assisted teaching and research programs, including on-line textual databases.

The department has about fifty resident students in the various programs and fields. The academic needs of individual students are met through regular advising and close work with members of the faculty. The aim is to provide a meaningfully adjusted course of study in light of the different individual interests and strengths that graduate students bring to the department. A Graduate Committee comprised of faculty and students constitutes the official link between the departmental faculty and the student body.