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The Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP), is committed to serving the needs of students of color and students from other under-represented groups. Learn more about GO-MAP
Graduate Program Advisors (GPAs) and Graduate Program Coordinators (GPCs) are the key staff who support graduate work at the University of Washington. Learn more about GPA/GPC Resources
The University of Washington awarded its first graduate degree in 1885 and the Graduate School was established permanently in 1910. Discover the Graduate School
The University of Washington awarded its first graduate degree in 1885 and the Graduate School was established permanently in 1910. Discover the Graduate School
A thesis or a dissertation is the outcome of a substantial effort. Its content and style will reflect on you, faculty members who have guided your work, and on the University of Washington. Learn more about completing your Thesis / Dissertation
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The following classifications are assigned to graduate students and postdoctoral appointees on the basis of their advancement toward or completion of graduate degrees:
A Premaster has been admitted to the Graduate School, but has not yet completed a Master's degree or the equivalent.
A Post-master has completed the Master's degree or equivalent, but has not yet had a doctoral Supervisory Committee appointed.
A Precandidate has had a doctoral Supervisory Committee appointed, which signifies admission into a doctoral program, but has not yet completed the Graduate School General Examinations.
A Candidate has completed the General Examinations, but has not yet completed the dissertation and final examination.
A Postdoctoral appointee has completed a doctoral degree and is engaged in research or scholarly work in residence at the University, but is neither an enrolled student nor a member of the faculty.
When a graduate student is first admitted to the Graduate School, he or she is placed by the Graduate School in the appropriate classification which recognizes the highest academic degree which the admittee holds in the field in which he or she proposed to do graduate work at the University of Washington. When a graduate student officially completes the Master's degree, or has a doctoral Supervisory Committee appointed, or completes the General Examinations, the classification is changed accordingly.
Each quarter Graduate Program Coordinators are provided with a Graduate Program Roster and asked to review the classification and other information listed for each graduate student in their field. The GPC should inform the Graduate School of any changes needed.
Revised: November, 1977