(See also: HAPPI)
The fourth-semester review assesses a student’s progress in the joint program. A favorable review indicates the faculty’s confidence in the student’s potential and their commitment to supporting the student toward completing the PhD. This review is a significant achievement that students must earn—it’s not just a formality.
The following academic requirements must be met before screening:
- one foreign language requirement fulfilled
- successful completion of History 615 (designated studies course)
- successful completion of History 715; the final version of the research paper should be submitted to the graduate committee
- successful completion of one additional 600-level studies course (History 611 for US-ists)
- 6 hours of RCRS (Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship) workshops (out of the 8 required by Rackham for candidacy)
- GPA of 3.55 or higher (between B+ and A- on a 4-point scale). If your GPA is below this standard, the graduate committee may still recommend positive screening on the basis of significant improvement over time
- Three faculty members (at least two of whom are in the History Department and one of whom is affiliated with Women’s and Gender Studies) willing to serve on your prelim committee
- One-two History faculty members willing to chair the prelims committee
- One-two History faculty members willing to chair the dissertation committee
It is important to note that these are necessary, but not sufficient, conditions for positive review. The review process involves a holistic assessment of a student's record, written work, and potential, and it is not reducible to this set of requirements.
Role of Faculty Advisor
One key to successful review is effective and ongoing consultation between the student and the faculty advisor(s) with whom they will be working on the preliminary exams and the dissertation. Together you should begin planning for prelims, determining your examination fields and the appropriate faculty members to serve on your prelim committee as well as mapping out an anticipated schedule. You should initiate this discussion by the beginning of the fall term of the second year by meeting with your advisor(s) and subsequently with the other members of your anticipated prelim committee.
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