Phase 2:
Oral Examination
The Oral Exam (Portfolio Defense) is designed to ensure that the student is prepared to develop a Dissertation Proposal and defend any questions concerning their Portfolio Qualifying Examination.
In preparing for the examination, the student should identify a general area in which they intend to develop a dissertation proposal, a timeline for proposal development and be prepared to defend their preparation in terms of adequate coursework foundation and preliminary research/reading in the field. The student will also submit a tentative timetable for completion of the proposal.
The committee will review the student's preparation and probe the student's knowledge of the field through oral examination. The committee can also ask questions concerning the student’s Portfolio Qualifying Examination.
The results of this examination, which may include "pass" and "no-pass," may also include conditions that must be met (which may include additional coursework) prior to proceeding with the admittance to candidacy and commencement of the research proposal. Students should consider the need to pass the Oral Examination during the selection process of their courses and other academic activities in order to ensure that they align with their intended area of dissertation research.
Admission to Candidacy
Students are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation segment of the doctoral degree by the graduate dean upon successful completion of the examinations (portfolio and oral) and the successful completion of course work defined on the student’s degree plan. No dissertation course enrollment is permitted until this examination has been passed.
The Oral Exam (Portfolio Defense) is designed to ensure that the student is prepared to develop a Dissertation Proposal and defend any questions concerning their Portfolio Qualifying Examination.
In preparing for the examination, the student should identify a general area in which they intend to develop a dissertation proposal, a timeline for proposal development and be prepared to defend their preparation in terms of adequate coursework foundation and preliminary research/reading in the field. The student will also submit a tentative timetable for completion of the proposal.
The committee will review the student's preparation and probe the student's knowledge of the field through oral examination. The committee can also ask questions concerning the student’s Portfolio Qualifying Examination.
The results of this examination, which may include "pass" and "no-pass," may also include conditions that must be met (which may include additional coursework) prior to proceeding with the admittance to candidacy and commencement of the research proposal. Students should consider the need to pass the Oral Examination during the selection process of their courses and other academic activities in order to ensure that they align with their intended area of dissertation research.
Admission to Candidacy
Students are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation segment of the doctoral degree by the graduate dean upon successful completion of the examinations (portfolio and oral) and the successful completion of course work defined on the student’s degree plan. No dissertation course enrollment is permitted until this examination has been passed.
These elements have been pulled directly from the Doctoral Handbook of Spring 2019