Academic Services

Doctoral Advancement

Students advance to doctoral candidacy by proving that they have acquired the necessary knowledge to conduct original, independent dissertation research for the Ph.D. or Ed.D. (or the recitals and research document required for the D.M.A.). Individual departments set different requirements for the qualifying examination(s) and dissertation proposal process.

Once a student is advanced to candidacy there are to be no further academic (course, exam) requirements placed upon the student, other than developing an acceptable dissertation proposal and an acceptable dissertation.

After all qualifying examinations have been completed, all members of the students committee must sign the PhD Form II with correct completion date of qualifying exams listed.

According to Academic Senate regulations, to be advanced to candidacy for a doctoral degree a student must:

1. Complete all preliminary requirements established by the major department and by the Graduate Council, including maintenance of a grade-point average not lower than 3.0 in all upper-division and graduate courses completed since admission to the program. This coursework must be free of any units of unfinished coursework (i.e., courses in which the student has an Incomplete, No Grade, or No Record).

2. Have been registered for three consecutive quarters prior to the quarter of taking the examination, and be registered the quarter the student intends to advance to doctoral candidacy. Students may register in Summer Sessions to take qualifying examinations and advance to candidacy.

3. Pass any written examinations as required by the department and an oral examination conducted by the students' doctoral committee. An oral examination is mandatory; written examinations are at the discretion of the department.

4. Formally request to be advanced to candidacy after successful completion of all qualifying examinations; students must come to Graduate Division to secure the paperwork to pay the $90 advancement-to-candidacy fee at the Cashier's Office. After paying the advancement fee at the Cashier's Office, the student is to bring the Cashier's receipt and PhD Form II to the Graduate Division

Once advanced, the student is elligible for doctoral candidate borrowing privileges at the Davidson Library as long as the student is registered status or on approved leave of absence.

For more information about the Doctoral Advancement process please consult the Graduate Handbook