Timely Progress
Timely Progress and Requirements for PhD Students
In summary, graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, complete their qualifier exams by the start of their fourth semester, pass their candidacy exam in their third year, and successfully defend their dissertation by the end of the Spring semester of their sixth year. The following sections outline the details and consequences of not meeting these progress requirements.
GPA Requirement:
Students must have at least 3.0 cumulative GPA each semester. If a student has a cumulative GPA lower than 3.0, then the student is put on probation by the University. A student on probation must raise their cumulative GPA over 3.0 the following semester, or else they are dismissed by the University.
The Graduate Area Qualifiers:
Each graduate area has its own choice of qualifier exams. However, all students must pass the qualifier exams at the same schedule, independent of their area.
Students are required to complete their area qualifiers by the beginning of their fourth semester of graduate study; failure to do so will constitute a lack of academic progress.
The Doctoral Candidacy Exam:
A student gets only two chances to pass their doctoral candidacy exam. Failure to pass the exam within two attempts results in academic dismissal.
Students are required to pass their doctoral candidacy exams in their third year, Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters; failure to do so will constitute a lack of academic progress.
The Dissertation:
The outcome of a dissertation defense falls into one of four categories: Pass, Pass with Major Revisions, Re-Examine, or Fail. If a student receives a Re-Examine decision, they are granted one additional opportunity to pass the defense. A failing result leads to academic dismissal. Students are required to successfully defend their dissertations by the end of their sixth year, spring semester; failure to do so will constitute a lack of academic progress.
Remediation Plan:
A graduate student found to be lacking academic progress must meet with their major professor/area director and Graduate Chair to develop a detailed remediation plan for improvement.
Requirements for Teaching Assistants:
Teaching assistant (TA) funding is competitive, with priority given to students who are making good academic progress. It is uncommon for students who are not meeting academic progress expectations to receive TA support. In addition to making good academic progress, to receive funding TAs must
- complete the Mathematics Department certification requirements for levels 1 and 2 TA assignments;
- either have completed or be working toward Mathematics Department certification for levels 3-5 TA assignments;
- either be certified in spoken English or be enrolled in an approved English class;
- have satisfactory job performance.