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- adequate progress toward identifying an important and impactful research problem
- the creation of a viable research strategy/specific plans
- presentation of preliminary results to warrant continuation on the track toward PhD candidacy
- an overall scholarly understanding of the research area
Qualifying Exam Rubric
As of spring 2025, the Qualifying Exam Rubric is required for all 2nd year students to complete via DocuSign 1-2 days prior to their oral exam. The rubric can be found here.
Progress in this preliminary research proposal will be scored as pass, conditional pass (with conditions such as, “repeat within one semester,” “re-write document,” or “take additional coursework”), and fail. Students who fail the examination will be transferred to the terminal Master’s degree program.
- 2nd year students will be assigned a spring date as to which they are required to complete their oral exam by.
- A fall meeting (early September) with the Graduate Advisor will occur to explain the process of the candidacy exam, rubric and exam dates.
Deadline
Students must complete this candidacy exam within the first four long semesters in residence.
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