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M.S. Satisfactory Progress
Students must make satisfactory progress toward their degree each semester. The following guidelines define satisfactory progress for students in the M.S. program with field essay.
First Year
| January | Review first semester performance with GPD to discuss any problem areas and possible remedies. Discuss course choices and TA/RA performance (if applicable) during the first semester. Begin assessing potential field essay topics. |
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| April 1st | Obtain a faculty sponsor to serve as a Research Advisor. Report your advisor, topic, topic abstract, and summer work plan to the GPD using the form M.S. Research Plan for Summer. This form is available in the Graduate Student Canvas Page. |
| April/May | Meet with faculty supervisor to further develop summer research and outline of summer work |
| August | Submit a progress report to the GPD |
Second Year
| September | If receiving summer funding, students are required to present the work they have done during the Graduate Student Conference, which takes place the first Friday of classes each year. Additionally, students must review course requirements and choices with the GPD. Students are responsible for completing their field essay by December. |
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| December | Obtain approval of the field essay by the faculty supervisor and the GPD. Submit an electronic file of the field essay to the department. |
In addition to ongoing assessment, the GPD conducts reviews of M.S. students' progress after each semester and each summer (if applicable). These reviews assess course grades and overall progress. Teaching or research assistantship performances are also evaluated (if applicable).
In evaluating satisfactory progress, no arbitrary standards are imposed, but failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 will result in the GPD determining that a student is not making satisfactory progress. Students who are not making satisfactory progress will be notified in writing. They are subject to loss of funding or dismissal from the program.