Letter from Economics Department Chairman Seymour E. Harris to Professor Edward H. Chamberlin December 1, 1955 in which he is appointed Chairman of the Committee on Graduate Instruction and Examinations. “For your convenience I have jotted down the major rules that still seem to prevail, though I am not sure that I covered all of them. The Economics Bible is available in Miss Cohn’s office, but should not be taken out of this office, or not farther than the QJE office.”
___________________________
Rules for Graduate Study
(Based on the Economics Department Bible)
- Students ordinarily to study full time. Permission to work at less than full time: if working out; for medical reasons; if short 1 – 1½ courses. Permission is required from Dean of Graduate School (1946).
- Residence Complete
Working on a thesis — full-time registration is required. - Outside Field is acceptable if
Contributes to program in economics
Limited number (1946)
Chairman administers (1947) - History of Economic Thought
Should be tested in theory exam. (1939) - Languages
Mathematics can be substituted.
Mathematics 2 at Harvard or test will fulfill requirements.
Foreign student — 1 language at discretion of Chairman. But ordinarily tested to make sure that student can handle English.
French or German must be 1 language.
Second language: Math (substitute), or Spanish, or Italian, or Russian, or Scandinavian, or French, or German (1947-50).
Can substitute other language if needed for Ph.D. thesis — with consent of Chairman.
M.A. — 1 language — French or German.
Fail twice — must give evidence of further work — e.g., ½ course. - Three-Man Examination Board
If student has ½ A’s, note below A-
1 B+ if examined in this course
1½ hours for three-man board - Low Grades
Chairman in consultation recommend to Dean against registration (1943)
Below 2 B+’s and 2 B’s — warned
Previously not allowed to register (1947) - B Record a Condition for General Exam. (1939)
- Write-Off Fields
B+ average (1939)
Met by taking full graduate course at Harvard (1949)
Summer course not adequate.
B+ average O.K. if ½ course is below B when improvement is shown (1943). - Credit for Graduate Courses Taken as Undergraduate
Allowed if not counted towards A.B. (1946).Credits for 1 degree not count for others — Ph.D. at least 1 year beyond A.M. - Statistics (1946)
221a and 221b or 221a and 221c* [Footnote: “* On advice of Professor Orcutt.”]
If not covered by exams., must have B+ or better for ½ course before exams.
Pass Generals but inadequate grade in statistics — to be examined in Specials on statistics. - M.A. — Generally 2 years.
Grades — Same as Ph.D., except pass – lower standard than fair minimum for Ph.D.
Ordinarily for 2 years, but exceptions could be made.
(recent years) - Exams.
Theory and its history — ordinarily 2 courses theory
Examiner should have significant contact with student (1940) - Exam. (General)
Before January 1952 — examined in special field
Taken after 1952 — examined on thesis only. Special field should be covered in general exam. - Must write thesis within five years of General Exam.
Additional year may be granted by Chairman.
SOURCE: HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
UAV 349.11 Box 13. Department of Economics/1930-1961 and some earlier/General Exams to Haberler
Graduate Degree Requirements.