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. Major 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. Minor 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 major 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 primary and secondary 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 and Transfer of Credits). To take the qualifying examinations in theory, major field, and minor 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, major field, and minor field, and a combined oral examination covering the three areas, within a single semester.
At least one semester (preferably more) before students present
themselves for the qualifying examination, they must select (in
consultation with their advisers and approval of the doctoral program
director) an examination committee of four members. This committee must
include one faculty member specializing in research methods, another
Bloustein School faculty member specializing in theory, and two
Bloustein School members from the student's special examination areas.
The student, in consultation with his or her adviser, may change the
composition of the committee, subject to approval by the doctoral
program director. The exam committee will come to a mutual agreement
with the student as to the material to be covered by the qualifying
examination.
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.
