University of Virginia Library

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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 therefore been
in force since 1904.