Johns Hopkins University began instruction October 3, 1876. The class schedule for the entire university could be printed as a single page matrix of hours by days in 1879.
By the academic year 1880-81 Johns Hopkins University had awarded a single Ph.D. in political science, which is where political economy still was classified.
In this posting we approach the beginning of the Big Bang of graduate education in economics in the U.S.
General Statements for 1880-81
Information for Graduate Students
Enumeration of Classes
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[p. 54]
GENERAL STATEMENTS FOR 1880-81.
Instruction is provided for both Collegiate and University students….
Admission of Students.
Arrangements are made for the reception of the following classes of students:
I.
Graduates.
Young men who have already graduated in this or other institutions of acknowledged standing are received on the presentation of their diplomas, after satisfying the chief instructors in the departments of study which they propose to follow that they are qualified to pursue the courses here given. They may be enrolled as candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy or not, at their option. Those whose years and attainments correspond with those of graduates may also be received as special students.
II.
Matriculates.
Students who wish a collegiate training are expected, unless excused for some special reason, to offer themselves for matriculation at the time of their admission. If they can pass satisfactorily in a considerable part of the required studies, but not in all, they may be admitted as candidates for matriculation, but their names will not be printed as enrolled students until the examination is completed. They will not be considered as candidates for more than one academic year.
Students who present themselves with higher attainments than are requisite for matriculation may, upon examination, receive credit for the same, be admitted to advanced classes, and so graduate in less time than would otherwise be requisite.
III.
Non-Matriculates.
- Students in subjects preliminary to a medical course…
- Young men of collegiate age…sufficiently advanced in character and attainments to be allowed the privilege, and that there is some good reason why they should not offer themselves for matriculation…
- Attendants upon lectures. –The University has extended certain privileges to teachers…, to medical students…, and to other persons…[they] are not enumerated as enrolled students.
Fees for Tuition, Etc.
The charges are as follows, payable in advance, unless, for specific reasons satisfactory to the Treasurer, he permits the payment to be deferred:
For Tuition, $80 per annum.
[…]
Board and lodging in private houses near the University, including care of room, fuel and light, may be obtained at five dollars, an upwards, per week. Some students pay even less.
[p. 55]
INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS.
Graduate Courses.
Advanced and graduate students are received with or without reference to their being candidates for a degree, and they are permitted to attend such lectures and exercises as they may individually select…
…The University professors are not absorbed in the details of college routine, but are free to give personal counsel and instruction to those who seek it; books and instruments adapted to investigation and advanced work have been liberally provided; the system of Fellowships secures the presence of twenty special students, imbued with the University spirit, most of them looking forward to academic careers; seminaries limited to a few advanced students, under the guidance of a director, have been organized in Greek, Mathematics, Physics, and History; societies devoted to Philology, to Mathematical, Physical, and Natural Science, and to History and Political Science, afford opportunities for the presentation of memoirs and original communications….
The instruction is carried on by such methods (varying of course with individual scholars, and with the different departments of work) as will encourage the student to become an independent and original investigator, while he is growing more and more familiar with the work now in progress elsewhere, and with the results which have been obtained by other scholars in the same field, and while he is adding to his general intellectual culture…
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
The Degree of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy will be conferred in conformity with the following regulations:
Every candidate for the degree of A.M: and Ph.D. will be required:
- To have obtained the Baccalaureate degree of this University (or to present the diploma of some other college which the Faculty shall accept as equivalent), and to have subsequently devoted not less than two years to University study in the special department of learning which he may have chosen. The appointment to a Fellowship will be regarded by the faculty as equivalent to the attainment of a Bachelor’s Degree, so far as this is a necessary condition of obtaining a higher degree.
- To produce a thesis which shall be approved by the Faculty. This thesis must be the result of original investigation in the main subject for examination, and the subject of the thesis must be submitted for approval to the head of the department, or the chief examiner in it, not less than six months before the degree is conferred.
- To pass an examination in one main and one or more subsidiary subjects; the choice of which is to be referred by the candidate to the chief examiner, and through him to the Faculty for final approval. The method of examination will vary according to the subject, and will be written, oral, practical, or all three, as may be deemed best.
- To enroll himself as a candidate for the degree, at least one year in advance of the time when he proposes to apply for examination.
Degrees will be conferred by the Trustees on the recommendation of the Faculty, probably twice a year, in the middle of the winter and at the end of the academic term.
The Diploma will indicate the department of study to which the candidate has directed his attention.
Degrees Conferred.—The degree of Doctor of Philosophy has been conferred on the following named persons, who have passed the required examinations:
1878 [4 Ph.D. degrees awarded, one in economics (no other in economics through 1880)]
Henry C. Adams, A.B., Iowa College, 1874; now Lecturer on Political Economy at Cornell University and at the Johns Hopkins University.
[…]
ENUMERATION OF CLASSES
Which have been instructed during the Academic Year 1879-80.
[pp. 61]
History and Political Science. (33 Students.)
Seminary of American History (15).
Once weekly, two months: Dr. [Austin] Scott.
Comparative Constitutional History (5).
Once weekly, four months: Dr. H. B. Adams.
History of the Renaissance and Reformation (17).
Daily, first half-year, also ten public lectures: Dr. H. B. Adams.
English Constitutional History, Stubbs’ Select Charters (15).
Once weekly, six months: Dr. H. B. Adams.
Political Economy (13).
Four times weekly, two months : Dr. H. B. Adams.
Money and Banking (12).
Four times weekly, two months: Dr. H. C. Adams.
National Debts.
Nine public lectures: Dr. H. C. Adams.
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Source: Johns Hopkins University. University Circulars. No. 5, May, 1880, pp. 54-55, 61.