PhD Program

Each spring, field faculty gather to evaluate students' performance through the course of the last year. The purpose of the annual evaluation process is to ensure that each student has satisfactorily fulfilled a proposed study plan and is currently making good progress toward completion of the degree. The ultimate goal of the faculty throughout this process is to provide the encouragement and direction that will best serve students' objectives.

During the annual review, faculty utilize a number of criteria to evaluate a student's overall performance: timely completion of the General Program Requirement; fulfillment of field-specific requirements; performance in courses, based on written evaluations and letter grades; evidence of ability to perform research activities; and performance on field examinations. Faculty evaluate students in advanced standing in terms of timely progress toward candidacy and progress on the dissertation.

Following the annual evaluation, the faculty convey specific feedback to the student in an annual review letter, which provides a student with an updated account of his or her performance in the Program. The annual review letter provides regular, clear communication from faculty to students. Students are encouraged to meet with faculty advisors should they have questions regarding the outcome of the annual review.