Students are required to successfully complete four qualifying examinations as a requirement for advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The qualifying examination comprises written and oral components in the following areas:1. Theory: of, and in, planning and public policy
2. Methods: including research design, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and advanced methods in the student's field(s) of specialization
3. First Field: a primary topical specialization within planning and public policy; requiring broad familiarity with a substantive literature that is central to the student's anticipated dissertation research
4. Second Field: a second topical or substantive specialization closely related to the student's anticipated dissertation research and defined so that the subject matter is distinct from the First Field (above); or a related field other than planning and public policy (e.g. civil engineering, computer science, economics, geography, political science, sociology, or another field) that the student can show is relevant to his or her degree program.
Selection of first and second field specializations is the responsibility of the student together with his or her examiner, in consultation with and approved by the doctoral program director.
Students may take the written and oral qualifying examination in Methods at any time after completing the required coursework in Methods (see Coursework Requirements). To take the qualifying examinations in Theory, First Field, and Second Field, students must have completed 48 coursework credits (including transfer of credits), have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and have no outstanding IN grades.
The doctoral program generally offers qualifying examinations in Theory and in Methods twice a year, once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester. The student must complete written examinations in Theory, First Field, and Second Field, and a combined oral examination covering the three areas, within a single semester.
In preparation for qualifying examinations, each student must (1) complete all coursework and credit requirements as specified for each exam; (2) identify appropriate examiners from among members of the Bloustein School graduate faculty; (3) compile reading lists and gain mastery over the substantive literature relevant to each exam; (4) in the case of First and Second Field exams, obtain agreement with examiners as to the exam format and procedures; and (5) coordinate the scheduling of written and oral portions of the exams.
Should the student fail any part of the examination, the examination committee will advise the student to pursue one or more of the following options: (1) take additional courses or submit additional written and/or oral work; (2) retake part(s) or all of the exam at a specified time; (3) withdraw from the doctoral program.
