MS/PhD

Evaluations & Examinations

Transitioning from the MS/PhD to PhD program: the First & Second Year Evaluations:

1. An Academic Review Committee consisting of the Director of Graduate Studies and at least two other Field of Statistics faculty members will review the progress of each student in the MS/PhD program twice: at the end of the 2nd semester and again at the beginning of the 4th semester.
2. The Field considers a MS/PhD student to have passed the First Year Evaluation if: (i) an average grade of A- or better is achieved in all core courses taken during the first year; and, (ii) no less than a B+ is received in any of the 4 core courses.
3. A MS/PhD student failing to achieve the benchmarks specified in 2(i) and 2(ii) will be given the option of taking a written examination early in the Fall semester of their second year. The Field considers a MS/PhD student to have passed the First Year Evaluation if this examination is passed at a sufficiently high level. Otherwise, the student is considered to have failed the First Year Evaluation. Without exception, failure of the First Year Evaluation entails dismissal from the program at the end of the 2nd year.
4. A MS/PhD student passing the First Year Evaluation shall continue provisionally and will be given a comprehensive evaluation by the Academic Review Committee early in the Spring term of his/her 2nd second year. The Second Year Evaluation involves a rigorous review of the entire graduate record of each student. In addition to academic performance, this review solicits input from all Field of Statistics faculty, particularly those teaching courses taken by the student or for whom the student has either served as a teaching or research assistant.
5. Upon successful completion of their second year studies, a MS/PhD student passing the Second Year Evaluation will be granted admission into the PhD program with status equivalent to that of a 2nd year PhD student. Without exception, MS/PhD students failing the Second Year Evaluation will be dismissed from the program at the end of the 2nd year.

Any MS/PhD student that is dismissed from the program at the end of the 2nd year will be considered to have passed a Master's Exam provided that an overall average of B or better is received in all 1st and 2nd year coursework. Per Graduate School rules, such students will be eligible to receive a "Non Thesis Masters" degree in Statistics.

Students that wish to appeal dismissal decisions made by the Academic Review Committee may consult the Graduate School for information on proper grievance procedures.

The A and B Exams

The degree requirements for PhD students are the same as those required by the Graduate School. These requirements include passing the A (pre-dissertation) and B (dissertation defense) exams (see also Program Description). The Special Committee may, at their discretion, require both written and oral portions of the A examination. Per Graduate School rules, the Special Committee may also choose to award a PhD student a "Non Thesis Masters Degree" upon completion of the A Exam.