Progress Reports

At the end of each semester of the first year, doctoral (Ph.D.) students are required to provide a brief written report of what they have accomplished since the last report. Beyond the first year, students are required to submit a progress report only at the end of the spring semester.

The Progress Report form can be found on the Forms page or you can contact the Graduate Program Administrator for a blank copy.

First-Year Progress Reports

All first-year students will provide a brief written progress report at the end of both the fall and the spring semesters, summarizing what they have accomplished during the respective semester. Students should submit two copies, one in PDF format to the Graduate Program Administrator and the other to your advisor in their preferred format (hard copy or PDF), by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of classes. This is a hard deadline (no extensions), and also note that this deadline is earlier than the deadline for the First-Year Project.

Beyond the First Year

All students past their first year will provide a brief written report at the end of their spring semester each year, reflecting on what they have accomplished in the academic year since their previous report. Students should submit two copies, one in PDF format to the Graduate Program Administrator and the other to your advisor in their preferred format (hard copy or PDF), by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of classes. This is a hard deadline (no extensions).

Expectations

The student’s overall performance is reviewed by the entire faculty each semester (for 1st-Years) or academic year (2nd-Years and beyond). After the faculty review, a recommendation will be made concerning the student’s future in the program. Recommendations may include anything from constructive feedback and strong encouragement to, in rare cases, requiring the student to withdraw. Students will be given feedback by their advisor and/or their specialty committee shortly after the review. In addition, students will be reviewed by the faculty of their particular program.

All doctoral graduate students are expected to perform at a high level in their classes and in conducting scholarly research, all throughout their time in the program. Graduate student research is a development process, where continuous progress is expected every semester. Naturally, the form of the progress will vary depending on the year of the student and the specific aspects of the research project, and department advisors and faculty provide their mentorship. In all cases, a high level of scholarly work is expected at all phases of the research.

Every graduate student’s academic progress is evaluated at the end of each academic year; with mid-year reviews of both first-year and second-year students. Although both course performance and research progress are considered in these evaluations, students with a GPA falling below 3.0, either in the most recent semester or cumulatively, are considered students not in good standing.

Grades of B- reflect marginal but passing performance, and grades below B- are considered failing. Graduate students making below a B- in a required course are typically required to retake the course. However, the faculty may allow a student with a grade of C+ to retake the final exam, take a tutorial with tests, or engage in other course work and research demonstrating clear mastery of the material and satisfaction of the course requirements. Normally, only one make-up opportunity will be granted by the instructor; but in rare extenuating circumstances, a graduate student may appeal in writing to the full department faculty for a second make-up opportunity.