Guidelines for Graduate Fellowships in the MA/PhD

The policies outlined below were approved by the graduate studies faculty in the Department of Portuguese on September 11, 2014.

I. The MA/PhD in Portuguese Graduate Fellowship Committee consists of the five graduate faculty in the Department of Portuguese. Occasionally, when reviewing a candidate with a specific interdisciplinary profile, a graduate faculty affiliate of the Portuguese MA/PhD programs from another department may be invited for the evaluation and ranking of a candidate.

II. The MA/PhD in Portuguese Graduate Fellowship Committee is chaired by the Graduate Program Director (GPD).

III. The following criteria are used to rank candidates applying for a fellowship in the Department of Portuguese in the course of their application for admission to the MA/PhD program:

1. Cumulative GPA;

2. Admission test scores: TOEFL (if applicable), GRE (if submitted);

3. Evaluation of the Statement of Purpose;

4. Letters of recommendation;

5. Candidate’s preparation matched to the MA/PhD Programs in Portuguese at UMass Dartmouth (previous coursework, Portuguese language proficiency, interests aligned with curriculum and faculty expertise).

IV. The final recommendation of the MA/PhD in Portuguese Graduate Fellowship Committee is reached by vote of all committee members using a 0-10 ranking scale.

V. Criteria to rank eligible candidates already enrolled in the MA/PhD in Portuguese who are applying for a renewal of their Fellowship:

1. Cumulative GPA;

2. Good standing in the MA/PhD in Portuguese;

3. Adequate progress toward the conclusion of the MA/PhD;

4. Performance evaluations in the previously held Graduate Fellowship, esp. if Teaching Fellowship;

5. The candidate’s match to the Graduate Fellowship (Teaching or Distinguished Doctoral) available.

VI. The final recommendation of the MA/PhD in Portuguese Graduate Fellowship Committee on applications for the renewal of a Fellowship is reached by vote of all committee members using a 0-10 ranking scale.