University of Virginia Library

HISTORICAL STATEMENT

While the original organization of the Academic Schools of the University
by Jefferson contemplated instruction of graduate grade in each
School, the first "post-graduate department" in the modern sense was instituted
in 1859-60 by Basil L. Gildersleeve, then Professor of Greek in the
institution. The degree of Master of Arts continued to be conferred upon
graduates in all six Schools of the University. Professor Gildersleeve conducted
graduate courses in the School of Greek; shortly after the Civil
War a "post-graduate department" was announced for the School of Latin.

Graduate courses were offered in individual Schools, but there was no general
department organization for graduate study until 1904. In that year the
Department of Graduate Studies was established as a regular co-ordinate
division of the University, with definitely prescribed regulations corresponding
to the requirements of the Association of American Universities, in
which the University of Virginia was the first Southern university to hold
membership. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy had, however, been offered
by the University as far back as 1880, and the first doctor's degree was
awarded in 1885. From 1885 to 1935 the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
has been conferred upon two hundred and forty-eight persons. The present
requirements for graduate degrees, with certain modifications, have been in
force since 1922.