Candidacy Exam

1) Purpose

The candidacy exam certifies that the student has demonstrated a depth of scholarship in the literature and the methods of the student's chosen area of research, and has demonstrated a facility with the scholarly skills of critical evaluation and verbal expression.

2) Committee

The student is examined by a candidacy committee chosen by the advisor, consisting of the student's advisor and two other researchers who hold PhDs or equivalents. The advisor should solicit the prospective committee members, not the student. In cases where the student's research and departmental advisors are different, both should be members of the committee, and only one additional person solicited.

3) Scope and Structure

The committee, after consideration of the student's input, selects a syllabus of the 20-30 most significant documents that encompass the state of the art in the area. The oral exam begins with the student's 30 minute critical evaluation of the syllabus, and is followed by no more than 90 minutes of questioning by the committee on any subject matter related to their contents. The student is judged primarily on the oral evidence, but the content and style of the presentation can account for part of the decision.

The entire candidacy exam committee must be informed of the scheduling of the oral exam no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the exam.  The academic staff must be informed of the scheduling of the oral exam no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to the exam.* [*Emergency exceptions to either of these deadlines can be granted by the Doctoral Program Chair or the Department Chair on appeal by the advisor and agreement of the committee.]

4) Effort

The exam should be designed by the committee to require an effort comparable to that of two graduate courses: about one semester's work at half time.

5) Timing

The student must pass the candidacy exam no later than the end of his/her sixth semester. It is not necessary to complete the breadth requirement before attempting the candidacy exam, but normally the candidacy exam should be attempted the semester following completion of comps, or at most the second semester following [if that is earlier than sixth semester].

6) Satisfactory Progress

Passing or failing is determined by consensus of the committee, who then sign the candidacy exam form. Failure to pass the candidacy exam by the end of the sixth semester is deemed unsatisfactory progress: the student is normally placed on probation and can be immediately dismissed from the program. However, on appeal of the student's advisor, one semester's grace can be granted by the full faculty. The exam normally cannot be taken more than twice. However, on appeal of the student's advisor, an additional attempt can be permitted by the full faculty.

[Modified by full faculty vote on April 20, 2005. Effective immediately.]

Last updated on June 1, 2006.