Department Of History Images In History

Doctor of Philosophy in History

Evaluation of Doctoral Students

The principle question in evaluating students who have taken their M.A. and embarked on their Ph.D. is whether they are proceeding expeditiously with a coherent program of studies. At the end of each school year, the Graduate Studies Committee will review the student's progress with the Chair of the student's Supervisory Committee. At this review, the Committee and faculty will examine the courses the student has taken, and the student's accomplishments in those courses. Because programs differ, so must the length of time necessary to prepare for the General Examination. Usually, however, students who completed the two-field MA at the UW are normally expected to take one year to get to the General Examination. Students who completed the Divisional MA in US history at the UW normally take two years to get to the General Examination. Those admitted to the Department at the Ph.D. level may take as much as a year longer. While the Department does not impose a specific time limit for advancement to candidacy, a period significantly greater than the norm is cause for concern. Please note that Teaching Assistants normally are not allowed to hold their appointments for more than two years following the receipt of the M.A. Degree without achieving candidacy.

If a student is achieving grades which reflect solid and substantial achievement, normally at least 3.5, and is enrolled in a course of study which will lead to the field exams in a timely fashion, the student will be deemed to be making satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Students who are judged not to be making satisfactory progress will receive written notification of this assessment and will be advised on what steps they should take to correct any problems or concerns expressed by the Committee or faculty. Failure to comply with these instructions may lead to a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School for alteration of a student's standing, i.e. warning, probation or final probation. See Graduate School Memorandum #16.