Doctor of Philosophy To enter the doctoral degree program, all master's-level students must pass the qualifying examination. With the consent of the graduate adviser, students who enter the program with a Master of Arts degree from another university may be eligible for exemption from the examination. Students who began their graduate work at the University must pass the examination in the spring semester of the second year of graduate study. Students who began graduate study at another institution may petition the graduate adviser to transfer applicable credit from the other school. Students seek admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree after completing their coursework, receiving approval of the dissertation prospectus, and passing the doctoral three-area examination.
Most students seek admission to candidacy by the beginning of the fourth year of doctoral study.