Doctoral Preliminary Examinations Ph. D. students must pass two preliminary examinations, one in theory and one in the student's major area. Preliminary means that passing the exam advances one to candidacy, which indicates that a student lacks only the dissertation research to complete the degree. Theory preliminary examination . The theory preliminary examination is an essay exam, containing three pairs of questions, that the student must address in approximately an eight-hour writing period.
Students normally take the theory prelim soon after completing the required theory courses.
For additional information see the Guide to Graduate Study in Sociology. Major Area Preliminary Examination . Students sit in an eight-hour exam in their major field to address questions posed by the departmental committee in their area. When students pass their major area examination, they become a candidate for the doctoral degree. For additional information see the Guide to Graduate Study in Sociology.