PhD Student Handbook

Evaluation and Examinations

Three milestone evaluations/examinations must be passed by all doctoral students:

Preliminary Examination: The preliminary examination consists of a one-day in-class exam on research methods and statistics, and a one-day in-class exam on social welfare history and policy as well as social theory.  This exam may not be taken until the student has completed at least six (6) course units at the University (all of first year required courses).  Preliminary exams will be given in the 3rd week of June.  Students who fail any portion of the preliminary examination will be given one opportunity to retake that portion.  The retake will occur no later than mid-August.  Students who fail a retake will be terminated from the program.

Candidacy Examination: A successful dissertation proposal defense admits the student to candidacy for a doctoral degree. A student who fails the proposal defense twice will be required to withdraw from the program.

Dissertation Examination: An oral examination on the contents of the doctoral dissertation.