Guide for
Graduate Contacts
Explanation of Preliminary and
Doctoral Examinations
See www.grad.uiuc.edu/gradhandbook/gradhandbook/chapterVI/ for more details about requirements for the Ph.D. program.
Stage I – is the time from initial enrollment as a graduate student to completion of a master's degree or its equivalent; some departments will have qualifying exams during this stage.
Stage II – is the time period between completion of the master’s degree or equivalent through completion of all departmental requirements (except defense and deposit of the dissertation), including passing the preliminary examination. At the end of stage II the student is "ABD" (all but dissertation) and is formally a candidate for the doctoral degree.
Stage III – is the time between completion of stage II and deposit of an approved dissertation, and includes the final defense.
Qualifying examinations – Some departments have qualifying exams within the first few years of the program. The purpose of these exams is to ensure that a student has sufficient general knowledge in the field to proceed successfully toward the doctoral degree. Often qualifying exams are only given at specified times of the year.
Preliminary examinations – the Graduate College requires a preliminary examination for completion of Stage II of graduate study (e.g. for admission to candidacy). The format and scope of the preliminary examination varies from department to department, in part depending upon whether or not there has already been a qualifying examination. Preliminary examinations may be oral or written, but most often include both components. The oral component is generally intended to review the feasibility and appropriateness of a student's dissertation research proposal. Passing the preliminary exam indicates that the student is ready for independent doctoral-level research. Some departments will set deadlines by which a student is expected to have completed the preliminary examination. Each department determines whether or not students are allowed a second attempt to pass the preliminary examinations. This policy must be clearly stated in each department's written regulations or guidelines.
Final examination – The Chair is responsible for convening the final examination committee, conducting the examination, and submitting the Certificate of Result of Final Examination to the department in which the student is enrolled and to the Graduate College. All voting members of the committee must be present at and participate in final examinations. In exceptional circumstances the Graduate College will allow up to two voting members to be present and participate via electronic communication media such as speakerphone or videoconference link. Students wishing to take advantage of this option should also seek approval from the department. The committee chair and the defending student, however, must be physically present at the final examination (e.g. presence by teleconference is not acceptable). Decisions of the final examination committee must be unanimous. Final examinations are oral and open to the public.
Only original signatures are acceptable on the Certificate of Committee Approval and the Certificate of Result. Only voting members may sign the Certificate of Result. Non-voting members do not need to be present at the final examination. Voting and non-voting committee members may sign the Certificate of Committee Approval.
