REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES
Master of Arts.—The degree of Master of Arts will be conferred upon the
holder of a degree of Bachelor of Arts who has fulfilled the following requirements:
(1) The successful completion, in not less than one full year of resident
graduate work, of the program of studies approved for the candidate by the
Committee on Rules and Courses, as embodied in his formal application for
advancement to candidacy. This application must be submitted not later than
one week after registration, in the year in which it is expected that the degree
will be conferred. The program must form a consistent plan of work, to be
pursued with some definite aim, and grouped around some one subject to be
known as the candidate's Major Subject, the name of which will be incorporated
in the body of each diploma conferring the degree. The program
should be arranged in consultation with the professors concerned, and must be
approved in writing by a professor of the candidate's Major Subject, who shall
be designated by the Dean of the Department of Graduate Studies, after consultation
with the candidate.
(2) The preparation and submission of a thesis, to be accepted as satisfactory
by the professor of the candidate's Major Subject. Two copies of the
thesis, typewritten on paper of prescribed quality and size, and substantially
bound, must be deposited in the office of the Dean of the Department of
Graduate Studies not later than May 15 of the year in which it is expected
that the degree will be conferred. The back of the cover must bear the title
of the thesis and the writer's name, and the title page must bear the words:
A thesis presented to the Academic Faculty of the University of Virginia in
candidacy for the degree of Master of Arts.
(3) A final comprehensive examination, oral or written, after the acceptance
of the candidate's thesis, conducted by the candidate's major professor
and one or more of his departmental colleagues.
Master of Science.—The degree of Master of Science will be conferred
upon the holder of a degree of Bachelor of Science who fulfills requirements
corresponding to those stated above for the degree of Master of Arts. The
degree of Master of Science, like that of Master of Arts, is regarded as a
cultural rather than a professional degree and the prerequisites for candidacy,
including a reading knowledge of foreign languages, are estimated accordingly.
No extension or correspondence courses will be credited toward a Master's
degree.
Doctor of Philosophy.—The degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be conferred
upon the holder of a baccalaureate degree who has fulfilled the following
requirements:
(1) The successful completion, in not less than three full years of graduate
work, of the program of studies approved for the candidate by the Committee
on Rules and Courses, as embodied in the student's formal application for
advancement to candidacy. This application must be submitted not later than
October 1 of the session preceding the final year of candidacy for the degree.
The program of studies must include a Major Subject, pursued for at least three
years, and one Minor Subject, pursued for at least one year. The Minor Subject
must be closely related to the Major Subject, and the program as a whole
must contribute to the mastery of some definite field of knowledge as an
object of study and research. The name of the Major Subject will be incorporated
in the body of the diploma conferring the degree. At least two years
of graduate study must be spent in residence. By special permission of the
Committee on Rules and Courses the student may be allowed to complete his
dissertation in absentia.
Upon advancement to candidacy the Dean will appoint a special committee
of not less than three Professors, under the Chairmanship of the Professor of
the candidate's Major Subject, and including a representative of the Committee
on Rules and Courses. This committee will conduct the candidate's
final examinations, and pass upon his dissertation.
(2) A reading knowledge of French and German sufficient to enable the
student to use these languages for purposes of research. This knowledge shall
be attested by passing examinations in French and German, set by the professors
of these languages, in consultation with the Professor of the Major Subject,
not later than October 1 of the session preceding the final academic year
of candidacy for the degree. Upon recommendation of the professor of the
Major Subject, and at the discretion of the Committee on Rules and Courses,
some other language may be substituted for either French or German.
(3) A final examination, written, oral, or both, in addition to all examinations
in course, upon such phases of the Major Subject and of allied subjects,
as the special committee shall prescribe. No candidate can be admitted to the
final examination until his dissertation has been accepted. Preliminary examinations
may in addition be required by individual schools, as stated under
the announcements of these Schools.
(4) A Dissertation exhibiting independent research in some branch of the
candidate's Major Subject, submitted to the Special Committee not later than
April 15 of the last year of candidacy. The copy submitted shall be typewritten
upon paper of prescribed quality and size, and shall be substantially
bound. The cover shall bear the title of the dissertation and the name of the
writer, and the title page shall bear the words: A Dissertation presented to
the Academic Faculty of the University of Virginia in candidacy for the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy. Upon approval of the dissertation the candidate
must arrange for the publication, at the earliest practicable date, of the whole
or such portions of the dissertation as the special committee shall direct. If
publication prior to the conferring of the degree be impracticable, the candidate
must deposit with the Bursar a sum of money sufficient to cover the
cost of 50 copies, which shall be the property of the University Library. Two
copies, in addition, must be placed in the office of the Dean of the Graduate
Department.
Grade.—A graduate student's standing in a course is indicated not by
a numerical grade, but by one of the following terms: Distinguished, Satisfactory,
Unsatisfactory.
Only those courses marked C and D may be counted toward a graduate
degree.
Summer Session.—The Master's degree may be won by properly qualified
persons in three full Summer Quarters. In no case will this degree be conferred
without resident graduate study during three quarters, the equivalent
in time of the regular session. Not more than two graduate courses each term
of the Summer Quarter will be credited toward the degree except by special
permission of the Dean and the Committee concerned. At least twelve session-hours
of graduate work are required for the Master's degree.
A candidate for the Master's degree in the Summer Quarter must register
with the Dean of the Graduate Department and submit a program of studies in
accordance with the regulations prescribed for admission to candidacy for that
degree in the regular session. In addition to the preparation of a thesis, a
final examination, written or oral, upon the program of study and acceptable
to the Professor of the candidate's Major Subject in the regular session of the
University, will be required.
Graduate Students in the Summer Quarter are required to make their
Masters' degrees within five summers after admission to full candidacy.
Graduate students are strongly advised to continue their residence during one
or more terms of the regular session.
Fellowships.—A list of Fellowships available for graduate students will be
found on page 150.
A special Bulletin of the Department of Graduate Studies is issued each year.
This contains detailed information as to courses and regulations of the Department,
and should be consulted by persons interested. This Bulletin and further
information will be supplied by the Dean of the Department of Graduate Studies.
