Qualifying Examination

All candidates for the degree of doctor of education are required to take the qualifying examination(s) administered by their program. Doctoral students may not take more than 12 credits in dissertation study or its equivalent prior to the successful completion of the qualifying examination.

The qualifying examination(s) is taken near the completion of the student's coursework. Qualifying examinations are prepared by individual programs. Students should consult program faculty for a written description of the qualifying examination procedures in their program. The student's performance on the examination is graded as "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" and reported in writing in those terms to the Office of Student and Academic Services. A grade may be "deferred," but such a grade is changed to "unsatisfactory" if a different evaluation is not reported within one year of the date of examination.

Upon written recommendation of the student's adviser and concurrence of the dean's office, a student who failed to obtain a report of "satisfactory" on either the written or oral examination may repeat the examination only one time. A second examination must be held within one year of the first. After failing the qualifying examination twice, the student is dropped from the program.

The qualifying examination is administered by the department of the student's major field. Arrangements to take the examination must be made with the department.