The following guidelines define satisfactory progress for students in the Ph.D. program:
First Year
| September | Prepare plan of study to be approved by the Graduate Program Director. |
|---|---|
| January | Review first semester performance with GPD to discuss any problem areas and possible remedies |
| April 1st | Work with a faculty sponsor to supervise your work in your first summer. Report your advisor, topic, topic abstract, and summer work plan to the Graduate Pro- gram Director using the form PhD First Summer Plan available in the Graduate Program Moodle Page. |
| May-July | Complete (or waive) Qualifying Examination in Microeconomic Theory. Successful completion of qualifying examination is necessary to demonstrate satisfactory progress. |
| July 1st | Submit a progress report to the Graduate Program Director. |
Second Year
| September | Review plan of study with the Graduate Program Director and make any needed adjustments. Present your summer progress in the Graduate Conference. |
|---|---|
| January | Complete (or waive) Qualifying Examination in Quantitative Methods. Successful completion of qualifying examination is necessary to demonstrate satisfactory progress. |
| Summer | Develop dissertation research topic(s). Complete and submit 2nd year paper |
Third Year
| September | Review plan of study and degree requirements with the Graduate Program Director. Present your 2nd year paper in the Graduate Student Conference. |
|---|---|
| January | Complete Field Comprehensive Examination |
| Spring | Appoint Dissertation Committee, complete and defend prospectus and submit prospectus to Graduate Program Director and to the Academic Programs Manager. Completion of the dissertation prospectus by this date is required to demonstrate satisfactory progress on the dissertation research. |
| Summer | Continue developing dissertation research. |
Fourth Year
| September | Present first dissertation paper at the Graduate Student Conference. Focus on dissertation research for the entire year. |
| Spring | Continue developing dissertation research. |
Fifth Year
| September | Present job market paper at Graduate Student Conference. Gather materials for job market. |
|---|---|
| Fall | Apply for jobs. Prepare for interviews and presentations. |
| Spring | Complete job market interviews. |
| Spring | Present Seminar/Defense of Dissertation. |
In addition to ongoing assessment, the Graduate Studies Committee conducts reviews of Doctoral student progress through an annual progress report procedure. In the beginning of each fall term, the students are required to describe their accomplishment in coursework, research, and major service using the progress report form. Next, the students’ academic advisors review the submission and provide their comments. This is followed by the comprehensive assessment by the GPD regarding the students’ course performance, qualifying and comprehensive exam results, teaching or research assistantship duties, and dissertation research progress.
Below are the specific criteria used for each of these assessments:
- Course Performance: Students need to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2. Failure to do so will result in unsatisfactory progress.
- Qualifying or comprehensive exam results: Students that fail their qualifying or comprehensive examinations will be given a second chance to attempt. Failure to pass these examinations in the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.
- TA/RA Duties: Students must fulfill their assigned TA/RA duties according to the contract terms. The faculty supervisor evaluates the student’s performance each term. Failure to fulfill basic duties will result in unsatisfactory progress.
- Dissertation Research Progress: Students are expected to (1) submit their second-year paper at the end of their second academic year, (2) defend their prospectus by the end of their third academic year, and (3) make continuous progress on their dissertation over time. Failure to meet any of the above-mentioned criteria will result in unsatisfactory progress.
As the final step of the annual progress report, the GPD will take into consideration of all the above criteria and provide a written assessment of the students’ overall performance for the last academic year (either satisfactory or unsatisfactory progress).
Students who receive unsatisfactory progress for two continuous years will result in the GSC determination of suspension for future TA/RA funding or dismissal from the program.