Department Policy and Procedures for PhD Candidacy Examinations:

Candidacy exams are a requirement of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for all doctoral programs. A doctoral student must pass a candidacy examination after completing all the required coursework, normally within two years of registration. The purpose of the candidacy examination is to affirm the student’s preparedness and competence to do research that will culminate in the PhD dissertation.

Candidacy examination procedures:

• The candidacy exam will consists of two parts: an examination of the student’s core areas, and an examination of contemporary research issues and designs in the area of specialization.
• The topics or questions for the exam are set by the student’s supervisory committee.
• For each part of the candidacy exam the student will be presented with two writing prompts, (such as questions, or statements to react to) and the student will choose and respond to one of the two prompts.
• The response is to be completed independently by the student without consulting peers, faculty or others over a period of up to 7 days. That is up to 7 days for Part 1 and up to 7 days for part 2.
• Each part of the exam is read by all members of the supervisory committee and evaluated as “pass” or “fail”.
• Following the completion of the second written submission, there will be an oral component where the committee will invite the student to elaborate or clarify material in the written papers.
• The entire candidacy exam (both written parts and the oral) are to be completed within 45 days of receiving the first question.
• The scheduling of dates is to be determined by the supervisory committee in consultation with the student.
• Following the oral examination, the supervisory committee will confer in private to arrive at a decision. The decision may be:
• “Complete”, in which case the student is advanced to candidacy and a memo is prepared and signed by the Department Graduate Advisor, the student’s supervisor, and the Department Chair.
• “Incomplete” in which case the committee shall determine whether:
• the student may undertake further preparation and repeat one or both parts of the examination within one year, or
• recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that the student be required to withdraw.

Consistent with the policies and procedures outlined in the Graduate Studies Calendar, a student may appeal the decision and any aspects of this procedure. The initial appeal must be made in writing to the Department Graduate Advisor. Further appeals should be directed to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

In addition to the information and procedures provided here, students should also familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations governing Doctoral Candidacy Exams that are included in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar.

Accepted at Department of Curriculum and Instruction department meeting on Friday, April 7, 2006.

Motion: (RA/SP): To accept department policy and procedures as laid out, and subject for review within one year’s time while honouring agreements already made between students and their supervisors, as of September 1, 2006. Carried.