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. The present
requirements for graduate degrees, with minor modifications, have been in
force since 1904.