Advising & Grading for Thesis and Dissertation Courses

The general guidelines for advising relationships with graduate students are explicated within the Graduate Division's "Statement of Expectations".

Student Progress and Academic Performance

From the GMU Graduate Division's "Statement of Expectations":

"Although students are responsible for knowing Mason rules, regulations, requirements, administrative policies and Academic Policies, faculty are encouraged to notify graduate students of deficiencies in their academic performance. This notification may be provided through grades or other means. When appropriate and if remedial measures are possible, faculty and program administrators are encouraged to provide recommendations and requirements needed to remedy their deficiencies.

It is encouraged that evaluations of student academic performance and progress be as factual and specific as possible and be shared with the graduate student within a reasonable period of time."

Grading History & Art History

Thesis, Dissertation, and Prospectus Courses

HIST 999 Dissertation: 

Doctoral candidates who complete all agreed upon coursework materials in any given semester of HIST 999 should be graded (IP) "in progress" since the dissertation document is considered "in progress" until official submission of the completed dissertation and graduation. The final course section of 999 should be graded (S) "Satisfactory" upon successful completion of the dissertation and defense. 

The registrar automatically changes these IP grades to S/NC upon completion of the dissertation per AP.3.2.1 Graduate Grading Scales.

799 & 998 Thesis & Prospectus Courses:

Likewise, 799 Thesis and 998 Prospectus students may be graded (IP) once they have completed all agreed upon coursework for any given semester. The final course section of 799 and 998 should be graded (S) "Satisfactory" upon successful completion of the thesis/prospectus document. 

The preceding (IP) grades will not be automatically changed to S/NC (Satisfactory/No credit) for 799 and 998 courses and must be manually updated. Please find the Grade Change form. 

Students who do not produce any of the agreed upon coursework materials for any History/Art History Thesis, Dissertation or Prospectus courses should be notified in writing by the instructor of a final deadline and 

specific requirements for the makeup work that is required to earn a

"for credit" grade of IP.

*This deadline should be prior to the end of the semester. 

If a graduate student fails to produce the agreed upon coursework materials at the end of the semester, then they should be given a grade of (NC) "No credit" rather than (IP) "In Progress" or (IN) "Incomplete." 

Any graduate student who does not complete coursework for 999, 998, or 799 for any given semester should always be reported to the program director by the course instructor.