The Qualifying Examination involves two steps: (1) submission of the dissertation prospectus and bibliography to the Qualifying Examination Committee; (2) an oral exam based on the prospectus.
The prospectus is meant to introduce the topic of your dissertation and present the critical framework in which you will engage it. The prospectus should take the reader through the main argument that will be developed in the dissertation, outline the key texts with which the dissertation will be working, and explain how the dissertation will contribute to the field of secondary literature on the topic. Typically the prospectus is between 20 and 25 pages in length.
The bibliography lists the major primary and secondary materials referred to in the prospectus, as well as works that are more broadly relevant to the dissertation project.
The oral exam is a two-hour exam in which you present your dissertation project and respond to questions from the members of the Qualifying Exam committee. The oral exam cannot be scheduled until drafts of both your prospectus and bibliography have been approved by your Qualifying Exam committee chair and then circulated to the rest of the committee.
The Qualifying Exam is normally taken in the first semester of the fourth year, and no later than the spring of that year.
Qualifying Exam FAQs:
How will I be evaluated?
The Qualifying Exam is, first and foremost, an opportunity to present the dissertation prospectus before a committee of five faculty members in order to receive feedback and direction prior to embarking on the dissertation. Most students find this collective discussion to be an extremely helpful moment in their graduate careers.
It is the responsibility of the student, working with the dissertation director, to assemble the committee for the Qualifying Exam. This committee normally consists of the director, three other faculty members from the department, and one external member, chosen from another department or discipline. You should begin assembling your committee well in advance of the exam, prior to the completion of coursework.
How do I prepare for the exam?
In one sense, all of your graduate study is meant to serve as preparation for the Qualifying Exam. More specifically, you should dedicate yourself exclusively to exam preparation after you have finished at least 54 units of coursework. Normally at this time students enroll in GRSC 800 (Studies for the Qualifying Examination). There is no standard length of time for preparing the exam, but you should aim to take the exam as soon as possible after completion of coursework and successful passage of the French Field Examination, and no later than the end of the fourth year. You should meet with your advisor as you are finishing up coursework in order to discuss the formation of your committee as well as directions for your research.
The prospectus is meant to introduce the topic of your dissertation, but, more importantly, it should present the critical framework for your engagement with your topic. Moreover, the prospectus should take the reader through your argument, outline the key texts with which you will be working, and suggest the nature of your approach to the secondary literature on your topic. Some students are able to outline the precise chapter divisions of the dissertation at this point. Others are not yet able to articulate the structure of the thesis, and here feedback from the exam committee can be particularly useful.
How do I go about scheduling the Exam?
The Graduate School requires submission of the petition to take the Qualifying Exam at least 30 days prior to the exam itself. Once you have a rough idea of when you will be ready to take the exam, the departmental administrator will contact all of the faculty on your committee and schedule a time and place for the exam. Keep in mind that it is necessary to begin scheduling the exam well in advance of the 30-day limit; leave even more time for scheduling if you plan to take the exam at the beginning or end of the semester.
The Graduate School requires submission of the petition to take the Qualifying Exam at least 30 days prior to the exam itself. Once you have a rough idea of when you will be ready to take the exam, the departmental administrator will contact all of the faculty on your committee and schedule a time and place for the exam. Keep in mind that it is necessary to begin scheduling the exam well in advance of the 30-day limit; leave even more time for scheduling if you plan to take the exam at the beginning or end of the semester.
What happens once I have passed the Exam?
Once you have successfully passed the Qualifying Exam, you will be admitted to candidacy. You will then choose a dissertation committee that consists of three members: the director, the external member, and one other faculty member. Some students are prepared to make this choice immediately after completion of the exam. Others wait until a later date. Of course, you are very much encouraged to continue speaking with
Once you have successfully passed the Qualifying Exam, you will be admitted to candidacy. You will then choose a dissertation committee that consists of three members: the director, the external member, and one other faculty member. Some students are prepared to make this choice immediately after completion of the exam. Others wait until a later date. Of course, you are very much encouraged to continue speaking with other faculty as you go through the writing process.
I have further questions about the Exam. Who can help me answer them?
As you begin to think about preparing for the Qualifying Exam, you can speak with your dissertation director, and the Director of Graduate Studies for the department.