Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination, which is required of all candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, may be taken after the third semester of graduate study beyond the bachelor's degree and before the end of formal course work (prior to dissertation writing).

The student must be registered in the term in which the qualifying examination is given. The examination, conducted by the supervisory committee or the major and minor departments, is both written and oral and covers the major and minor subjects. At least five faculty members must be present with the student at the oral portion. The supervisory committee has the responsibility at this time of deciding whether the student is qualified to continue work toward a Ph.D. degree. If a student fails the qualifying examination, the Graduate School must be notified. A re-examination may be requested, but it must be recommended by the supervisory committee and approved by the Graduate school. At least one semester of additional preparation is considered essential before re-examination.

Time Lapse
Between the qualifying examination and the date of the degree there must be a minimum of two semesters if the candidate is in full-time residence, or a calendar year if the candidate is on less than a full-time basis. The semester is which the qualifying examination is passed is counted, provided that the examination occurs before midpoint of the term.

Admission To Candidacy
A graduate student does not become a candidate for the Ph.D. degree until granted formal admission to candidacy. Such admission requires approval of the student's supervisory committee, the department chairperson, the college dean, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The approval must be based on:

• the academic record of the student,
• the opinion of the supervisory committee concerning overall fitness for candidacy,
• an approved dissertation topic, and
• a qualifying examination as described above

Application for admission to candidacy should be made as soon as the qualifying examination has been passed and a dissertation topic has been approved by the student's supervisory committee. A student may not register for HLP 7980 (Research for Dissertation) until he or she is admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree.