Department Review The Department of History conducts a formal Annual Review of every Ph.D. student’s academic progress. The structure and responsibility for this review shifts as students advance through the program. All Ph.D. students must undergo a formal evaluation early in their second year to determine whether they are making satisfactory academic progress and should continue in the program. This Second-Year Review takes place during the first half of the third semester (typically early fall). This is a departmental-level review, overseen by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee. Submission Requirements By September 15, all second-year students must submit the following by email to the Director of Graduate Studies: An updated CV; A writing sample from coursework completed at UGA; A 1–2 page self-assessment, reflecting on coursework, research goals, progress toward requirements (e.g., research skills), and plans for the upcoming year; A list of all UGA professors with whom they have taken graduate courses; A letter from the major professor, assessing the student’s academic performance and recommending whether the student should continue in the program. In addition, The Director of Graduate Studies will solicit confidential feedback from all faculty members listed by the student, including instructors of record for all graduate coursework completed to date. The Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Studies Committee will review each file, incorporating instructor evaluations and the major professor’s recommendation. Students whose progress is deemed satisfactory will receive written confirmation. Students with concerns about progress may be asked to submit a written plan for improvement and/or meet with the Director of Graduate Studies and their major advisor. In cases of serious concern, the Graduate Studies Committee may recommend probation or reclassification into the M.A. program. Change of Degree Admission to the Ph.D. program in History is intended for students who wish to proceed directly to the doctoral degree without completing an M.A. along the way. However, students may decide after beginning Ph.D. coursework that they would prefer to complete the M.A. degree instead of the Ph.D. In such cases, students must follow Graduate School policy governing degree changes. Students who wish to switch from the Ph.D. to the M.A. program must: Submit a formal Change of Degree Objective request to the Graduate School; Meet all coursework and degree requirements for the M.A. in History; Apply for graduation and submit all required forms by the deadlines published by the Graduate School for the intended graduation semester. Please note that Graduate School policy does not allow coursework to be applied toward more than one degree. Any course hours used to fulfill the M.A. degree requirements cannot also be used toward a Ph.D. Program of Study, and vice versa. This means that students who earn an M.A. en route must adjust their future doctoral program accordingly if they later return to the Ph.D. Students considering this option are encouraged to consult with their major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies before initiating a formal request.
