Students who fail may, at the discretion of the graduate faculty, repeat the test once at least six months later. Students who fail the examination a second time are dropped from the program. Students attain the status of doctoral candidate only after passing the comprehensive examination and submitting a dissertation proposal that receives the unanimous approval of the dissertation committee. Final Examination PhD candidates are required to take a final oral examination in defense of their dissertation. The examination is conducted by the candidate's dissertation committee.
Students pass upon the favorable recommendation of the majority of the committee.