All students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree program in which they are enrolled. All students beyond the first year are required to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to review their checklist in the Fall of each academic year. As required by the Graduate School, the department will provide a written assessment of progress to each student annually, normally around February/March. For all students, satisfactory progress includes observance of the standards of professional behavior (I.J below) as well as maintenance of a 3.0 or higher-grade point average in all course work. Beginning in their third semester, students are also expected to maintain a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA in graduate-level Philosophy courses, i.e., from the start of coursework. In addition:

For full-time Ph.D. students entering without an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Kentucky, satisfactory progress is defined as fulfilling the following requirements:

• Students are required to take and pass the two first year proseminars (PHI 741 and PHI 742) in their first year in the program; these courses are only open to first year students in the Graduate Program in Philosophy. For the purposes of calculating the number of course work credits in Philosophy required for successful completion of the program, the two first year proseminars count as one (1) seminar in total.

• Students are required to take and pass the Qualifying Exam (or submit their Qualifying Essay) by January of their fourth year in the program.

For full-time Ph.D. students entering with an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Kentucky, satisfactory progress will be determined by the timely completion of required coursework, and the timely meeting of any special requirements set by a student's Advisory Committee.

For students who have applied to leave the program with an M.A. only, satisfactory progress will be determined by the timely completion of required coursework, the Logic and Language requirements, the contemporary course requirement, the two first year proseminars (see Section III below), and any special requirements set by the Director of Graduate Studies.

For Ph.D. candidates who have completed their course work and passed the Qualifying Examination, the determination of satisfactory progress will be the responsibility of the candidate's Advisory Committee(Click Here--->Link to Advisory Committee)

Annual Reviews:

•  Each January/February and October the Graduate Faculty of the Department will evaluate all graduate students who have been in the program for one or more semesters who are not making satisfactory progress due to grades or Incompletes.

•  In late January or early February of every year, the Graduate Faculty will meet to review the progress of all graduate students.

•  Student progress is evaluated with reference to the requirements detailed in the Graduate Regulations as well as coursework and teaching. Expectations related to professional development are also discussed. 
•  Students whom the Graduate Faculty determines are not making satisfactory progress will be so notified in writing by the Director of Graduate Studies.