Doctoral qualifying examination

1. At the end of the coursework when the only remaining academic requirement is the dissertation, senior staff shall appoint the chairperson and members of an examining committee. The committee shall meet and determine:
1. the scope of their assessment based on the student’s particular field of expertise during coursework
2. a list of key questions
3. a mutually suitable time and place for the examination, and inform the student.
2. The qualifying examination may be done by videoconference at a distance if a proctor will attend for the full time at the student’s location.
3. The chairperson of the committee shall act as moderator.
4. The qualifying examination is an oral examination. At the time of the examination, the committee will ask the questions it has set as follows:
1. They will start with introductions and overview questions.
2. They may change the order of questions as they see fit.
3. They may add follow-up questions as they see fit.
5. After the examination, the committee shall confer privately and make a decision to either pass the student, fail the student, or require the student to take the examination again. They may co-opt other advice if they wish. They shall record their decision in writing, their reasons for their decision, and shall all sign it. They shall then inform the student of their decision.
6. If a student is not passed, he/she shall be given a six-month extension, after which they may retake the comprehensive examination. No extra fee is payable.