There is no foreign language requirement. The exam is normally given at the beginning of the fall quarter. A student who fails this examination will normally be allowed to retake it only once. This examination covers both major and minor fields, and is given by a committee that includes at least three members from the major field and at least two from the minor or supporting program field. This exam must be taken within six months of passing the written exam.
Most students take it the same quarter they pass their preliminary written examination.
The culmination of the Ph.D. program of study is a doctoral thesis, prepared with the guidance of a thesis adviser. The thesis must demonstrate originality and ability for independent investigation, and the results of the research must constitute a noteworthy contribution to knowledge in the field. The thesis must exhibit mastery of the literature on the subject and familiarity with the sources, and must be well written. A Ph.D. candidate files a thesis proposal form with the Graduate School shortly after passing the preliminary oral examination. At that time a final oral examination committee which consists of at least three faculty members from statistics and at least two from the minor or supporting program is appointed.