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.