When the screening procedure is successfully completed, the student has one semester in which to form a guidance committee. Each student is required to complete an independent empirical research project which is approved by two members of his or her guidance committee. In some instances, this requirement may be met by acceptance of a satisfactory master's thesis from some other university. Qualifying Examination A written qualifying examination is given after the completion of the student's empirical paper and all, or nearly all, of his or her course work. It is designed to cover the student's specialization in two of the subareas described above.
Questions are prepared and evaluated by specialists in the respective subareas.
The oral portion of the examination is administered by the guidance committee after the written part has been evaluated. When the written and oral sections are passed, the student must submit the dissertation topic for approval. After approval, a dissertation committee of three persons is appointed. A detailed dissertation prospectus must be presented to the committee not more than six months after admission to candidacy. Students who complete the course work required for the M.M.F.T., a minimum of 71 units, and all course requirements for the Ph.D., and also pass the Ph.D. qualifying examination may receive both the M.M.F.T. and the M.A. degrees.