Ph.D Policies and Procedures

V. Preliminary Examination

Each student in the Ph.D. program must take the preliminary examination. This examination will include those areas established as appropriate by the department or concentration. Faculty in respective concentration areas will determine who will be responsible for preparing, evaluating, and certifying successful completion of the examination.

Purpose

The preliminary examination is an assessment of the breadth and depth of a student’s knowledge in his/her concentration area, and his/her ability to access, analyze, and synthesize research in writing.

Procedures

The examination will be offered at least two times a year and will be administered on the fifth week of each semester. The appropriate departmental representative will be responsible for selecting the examination location and monitoring the examination.

Students completing preliminary examinations will be notified no later than 30 calendar days after examinations are completed about their results. Notification may vary for the departments where preliminary examinations are offered during the summer.

Eligibility

A student may take the preliminary examination after having successfully completed all (or most) coursework listed on the student’s Program of Study. Exceptions to this policy can only be granted by both the committee chairperson and the director of graduate studies. The student must petition the doctoral committee to take the preliminary examination and must receive an affirmative response.

If a student fails the examination on the initial attempt, he/she may take the exam two additional times before being removed from the doctoral program.

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