Benchmarks

Student has completed course work with no grade lower than a B- and an overall GPA in excess of 3.0.
Student has selected a thesis chair
Faculty agree that student’s writing and analytical ability will allow them to complete a thesis
Faculty agree that the student actively contributes to the intellectual discourse of their courses

Student has completed course work with no grade lower than a B- and an overall GPA in excess of 3.0.
Student has attended a professional meeting
Student has held a committee meeting to approve the thesis proposal
Student has successfully defended the thesis
Faculty agree that the student actively contributes to the intellectual discourse of their courses

If student has not completed degree by end of first semester of third year, normal progress is not being made.

Student has completed course work with no grade lower than a B- and an overall GPA in excess of 3.0.
Student has presented a paper at a regional or national professional meeting
Faculty agree that student’s writing and analytical ability will allow them to complete a dissertation
Faculty agree that the student actively contributes to the intellectual discourse of their courses

Student has completed course work with no grade lower than a B- and an overall GPA in excess of 3.0.
Student has presented a paper at a regional or national professional meeting
Student has submitted a manuscript for review to a journal
Student has assembled their MAP committee and received approval of their topic and their reading list
Faculty agree that student’s writing and analytical ability will allow them to complete a dissertation
Faculty agree that the student actively contributes to the intellectual discourse of their courses

Student has presented a paper at a national professional meeting
Student has submitted a manuscript for review to a journal
Student has successfully completed an approved MAP
Student has assembled her dissertation committee and submitted paperwork to graduate school
Student has successfully defended dissertation proposal
Faculty agree that student’s writing and analytical ability will allow them to complete a dissertation

Faculty remains confident in student’s ability to successfully complete a dissertation
Student has made significant progress on dissertation data collection
Student has written at least two chapters of a dissertation that have been reviewed by the chair
(NOTE: Most students will complete their dissertation at the end of Year 4 and should plan on seeking employment at the beginning of Year 4. Although this is not required for normal progress, please note that funded students may not be able to retain their assistantships after Year 4 because of budget limitations.)

If student has not completed degree program by end of sixth year, normal progress is not being made.