After completing their master's thesis and required coursework, students take a qualifying exam. The qualifying exam assesses students' knowledge of, and ability to synthesize, the theory and methods covered in their required and elective courses and in their specialized fields of study. It covers the industrial relations and human resources (I.R.H.R.) literature that is considered to be the foundation upon which the student's career and future research are based, as well as the research methods and data analysis techniques that are relevant to the student's chosen area of specialty. The exam is offered twice annually, in January and May (or at a time agreed to by the student's advisory committee and the graduate director). The format is take-home, with 48 hours for completion. Normally, students take the qualifying exam in December of their third year. The qualifying exam is graded and must be approved by at least four members of the I.R.H.R. graduate faculty. Students who fail the exam must retake it. Students are allowed to retake the exam within four months. After passing the qualifying exam, students are admitted to Ph.D. candidacy.