PhD Qualifying Exam
The MIE Ph.D. Qualifying (Preliminary Comprehensive) Exam
Each Student enrolled in the Ph.D. program must pass a qualifying exam prior to their fourth semester as a Ph.D. student. The purpose of the qualifying exam is to ensure that the student is qualified in both knowledge and critical thinking skills to pursue a Ph.D. in their field of study.
Format and Scope
See below for descriptions of possible formats of the qualifying exam. The format is established by the candidate’s examining committee and the GPD to test general knowledge and critical thinking skills in their field of study.
Outcomes
The three possible outcomes of the exam are:
- Pass: The committee confirms the student holds the skills requisite of doctoral studies.
- Conditional Pass: The student qualifies if they address areas of weakness found in the exam.
- Fail: The committee finds multiple areas of weakness; doctoral studies are not recommended.
Remediation plans may include coursework, independent study projects, and subsequent focused examination. A Conditional Pass converts to Pass upon completion of the remediation plan within the specified time. Otherwise, a Conditional Pass is converted to Fail. Students who fail their first exam attempt may petition the Graduate Program Committee to retake the exam.
Exam Timing
| Entry Pathway | Exam Deadline |
| Direct Entry into the PhD Program | Within two calendar years of program entry |
| Entry with a UMASS MS Degree | Within one and a half calendar years of program entry |
| Entry with a non-UMASS MS Degree | Within one and a half calendar years of program entry |
| Part-Time Students | After 18 credits or in two years, whichever occurs first |
| Transferred Students | May petition to waive or defer the exam |
Exam Format
The MIE doctoral qualifying exam MUST contain a written component to satisfy candidacy at the Graduate School.
Written Component Options (Select One) | Timing |
| Questions in major interest area (take-home) A detailed exam in your primary field of study taken at your own pace. | 1 week |
| Questions in major interest area (live) An abridged, technical exam taken in a conventional manner. | 3 hours |
| Critical review (report) of two peer-reviewed journal articles Analyze articles adjacent to field for strength/weakness & importance. | 2 weeks |
The MIE doctoral qualifying exam MUST contain an oral component to satisfy candidacy at the Graduate School.
Oral Component Options (Select One) | Timing |
| Open-ended questions Committee asks broad, exploratory questions about your field | 1 hour |
| Rounds of technical questions Committee asks a series of questions to test general MIE knowledge. | 1 hour |
| Oral presentation (journal critical review) Present critical review of articles, followed by committee discussion | 30 mins + Q/A |