Candidacy, Qualifying Exam

The Graduate College does not currently track time to candidacy, but encourages programs to implement candidacy exams early in their programs to allow the students optimal feedback on their aspirations and research. Doctoral students are required to complete a program certification process according to the program’s established standards. The student must have at least a 3.000 grade point average in doctoral coursework and fulfill all other pre-candidacy requirements specified by the doctoral program in which the student is enrolled. Upon completion of these requirements, the student will receive a formal letter from the Graduate College informing the student of admission to candidacy.