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 GPD |
|---|---|
| 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 GPD using the form Ph.D. First Summer Plan available in the Graduate Student Canvas Page |
| May-July | Complete (or waive) Qualifying Examination in Microeconomic Theory. Successful completion of qualifying examination is necessary to demonstrate satisfactory progress |
| August | Submit a progress report to the GPD |
Second Year
| September | Review plan of study with the GPD and make any needed adjustments. Present your summer progress in the Graduate Student 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 GPD. 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 GPD and to the Associate Director of Academic Programs. 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 after each semester and each summer. These reviews assess course grades, qualifying and comprehensive exam results, and dissertation research progress. In addition, teaching or research assistantship performance is evaluated.
Students that fail their qualifying or comprehensive examinations will be given a second opportunity. Failure to pass these examinations in the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.
In evaluating satisfactory progress, no arbitrary standards are imposed, but failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 will result in the Graduate Studies Committee determining that a student is not making satisfactory progress. In addition to course performance, satisfactory progress will be determined based on your research progress (timely defense of prospectus, qualifying and comprehensive exam performance, satisfactory fulfillment of TA/RA duties, dissertation chair's assessment of research progress, etc.) Students who are not making satisfactory progress will be notified in writing. They are subject to loss of funding or dismissal from the program.