Guidelines for Annual Review of Academic Progress by Graduate Students
Why conduct annual reviews of academic progress?
Every department should review the academic progress of each graduate student at least once each year. An annual review helps the student progress successfully through the graduate program by allowing timely diagnosis of deficiencies, clarification of expectations for academic performance, and identification of opportunities for improvement. In addition, the Graduate College requires that a graduate student be making satisfactory academic progress to hold an assistantship.
What elements should an annual review include?
- A summary of the student's accomplishments in teaching, research, and professional service
- A record of completion of specific program requirements: courses; foreign language proficiency; research papers; comprehensive, qualifying, and preliminary examinations; etc.
- Written comments from the student, the faculty advisor, the thesis or dissertation committee (if appointed), and others who know the student's work, such as the supervisor of a teaching assistant or research assistant
- Responses by the student and advisor to issues raised at the last annual review
- A list of mitigating factors, if any, provided by the student
- Proposed academic goals for the next year
Who should conduct the review?
The review may be conducted by a departmental committee or by the student's thesis or dissertation committee.
How should the review be used?
In the vast majority of cases, the student and advisor would be told that academic progress has been satisfactory and that the goals for the next year are reasonable. In some cases, the student would be reminded about deadlines for program requirements and be given reasonable time to complete them; in these cases, standards and expectations for academic performance should be stated explicitly. In rare cases, when the student has been unable to make satisfactory progress, the review might lead to the student's termination from the program. Annual reviews could also be used to identify candidates for fellowships.