Doctoral Statuses

Pro Forma Status

Pro Forma registration is a limited privilege (maximum six quarters per student) designed to provide full-time status to doctoral students who must move away from the Chicago area, usually abroad (but otherwise a substantial distance) in order to conduct preparatory field research, archival research, or data collection required for completion of the dissertation. Students who are engaged in formal programs of intensive language training instruction abroad, as needed for completing their doctoral programs, are also eligible. For more information, please see the Student Manual of University Policies and Regulations.

Students apply for Pro Forma status by completing an Application for Pro Forma and an Absentee Student Information Sheet, both available from the Dean of Students office. After the Application for Pro Forma has been signed by the student's department chair, indicating recommendation for approval, both forms should be submitted to the Dean of Students for consideration. Students applying for Pro Forma who have received an external fellowship or grant (such as a Fulbright) should include a copy of the fellowship award letter with the application.

Pro Forma is granted for up to three quarters at a time. Students who need to extend their Pro Forma status complete a new Application for Pro Forma, an Absentee Student Information Sheet, and a one- to two-page statement addressed to the Dean of Students that describes the work accomplished toward the degree in the past year and indicates why additional time is needed in Pro Forma status to complete research in the coming academic year.