This study investigates the extent to which graduate students, in writing their Ph.D. dissertations, actually do make use of the language skills which they have been required to obtain. A comparison of the extent of utilization of foreign language skills by the doctoral candidates with that by faculty members at the same institution is also developed. Estimates of resource costs, in dollar terms, incurred by graduate students in fulfilling the requirement are illustrated through frequent use of tables. The report, based on the analysis of some 225 dissertations written in 15 departments, suggests that there is no justification for a uniform requirement and that any increase in requirements would result in an increase of costs without affecting benefits. (RL)