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Qualifying Exams
1. A written qualifying examination and an oral qualifying examination:
a. There are two different formats for the written qualifying examination, depending on the date when the student entered the Ph.D. program.
b. The oral qualifying exam consists of the student's dissertation proposal defense.
**THE NEW FORMAT FOR WRITTEN QUALIFYING EXAMS APPLIES TO ALL STUDENTS ENTERING THE PROGRAM ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009. STUDENTS ENTERING PRIOR TO THAT DATE MAY TAKE THE OLD FORMAT OR THE NEW FORMAT.
NEW FORMAT FOR WRITTEN EXAMS
The written qualifying examination consists of 3 parts, taken over a 2 day period. The exam focuses on one of the four specialty areas: family, inequality, labor and urban, medical. The format for each is as follows:
a. Examination on sociological theory as applied to the student's area of specialization.
b. Examination on research methods, as applied to the student's area of specialization.
c. Examination on the content of the individual student's research interest as related to the dissertation.
Students should take the written qualifying exam soon after they have completed the required courses in sociological theory, research methods, and their area of specialization. Students should consult the Chair of the Area for specific information about the Area (i.e., courses that satisfy the PhD specialization requirement, reading list, dates for the exam, examining committee members, etc.)
CHAIRS FOR THE WINTER 2009 SPECIALTY AREAS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Family: Dr. Mary Cay Sengstock
Inequality: Dr. Heather Dillaway
Labor and Urban: Dr. David Fasenfest
Medical: Dr. Janet Hankin
PLEASE NOTE: This specialty area format for the qualifying examinations applies to students who are admitted to the PhD Program on or after January 1, 2009. Students who were admitted prior to this date may continue under the prior qualifying examination format as described below.
OLD WRITTEN EXAM FORMAT
This format involves 2 qualifying examinations, one in the area of sociological theory, the other in research methods. Students enrolled prior to January 1, 2009, have the option of selecting either format for examination. Students who have already begun the examination process under the old system MUST continue under that system. However, there is a time limitation for this format: The last examinations under the old format will be administered during the winter term, 2010. Hence students who are required or choose to be examined under the old format MUST be sure to complete their exams prior to that date.
Students who plan to take a qualifying exam should sign up with the Chair of the appropriate committee at least 2 weeks prior to the exam date.
Students who are taking the exams under the new specialization exam format, should contact the Chair of the Specialization at least one term prior to the date on which they plan to take the exam, in order to ensure that they have the appropriate information about the required courses, reading lists, and other information about the area nd the area exam.
Registration Form - Submit Theory registration forms to the Chair of the Committee. If this information is not listed below, you may obtain the information from Michelle Love or Chris Cowen.
EXAM SCHEDULE
August 24 - 25, 2009
Note: STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE EXAMS AT THE ANNOUNCED TIMES. DUE TO ISSUES OF SECURITY AND PROCTORING, WE CANNOT OFFER ALTERNATIVE TIMES FOR A STUDENT TO SIT FOR THE EXAM. STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED THEIR M.A. DEGREE PRIOR TO TAKING THE EXAM
All qualifying examinations will be administered in the departmental computer room, and students will be required to compose their answers on the computer.
STUDENTS WHO REGISTER AND LATER DECIDE NOT TO TAKE THE EXAM MUST NOTIFY THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE PRIOR TO THE DAY OF THE EXAM.
Doctoral Qualifying Examinations
1. Students must take written qualifying examinations which were in force at the time they were admitted. Prior to January 1, 2009, the requirements consisted of two separate exams (theory, and methods/statistics). After January 1, 2009, the qualifying examination is administered in the student's area of specialization. Sociology theory and research methods are incorporated into the area examinations. Examination will generally be given once during the Fall and once during the Winter semesters. Procedures for taking the exams are described in a separate document available from the Department Office. The criterion for grading these exams will be competence rather than excellence.
2. Format of the qualifying exams: The qualifying exams vary, depending on the area, as follows:
OLD FORMAT
a. The theory exam will consist of four questions. One question will be answered per day. Two hours are allotted for the exam each day.
b. The methods and statistics exam will be given over a two-day period, with a one-day break in between. Students will write for four hours each day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.
NEW FORMAT
c. Specialization area examinations are given over two consecutive days; the first day will consist of a theory examination in the morning, and a methods examination in the afternoon; an examination on the student's special research interest area will take place on the morning of the second day.
3. All students should contact the chair of the area in which they plan to take an exam at least one term, preferably one year, prior to the time at which they plan to take the exam. This will allow them the opportunity to determine which courses they need in order to prepare, obtain reading lists from committee members, practice writing answers to old exam questions and submit them to relevant faculty for feedback, obtain a list of key concepts and substantive areas from the committee, and attend tutorials (if offered).
4. Examinees will be identified by an exam number and grading by each committee will be done anonymously.
5. Students who enter after January 1, 2009 must take the qualifying examination in their area of specialization. Students who entered prior to that date may choose to be examined under either system. However, once a student has begun the examination process, sh/he must remain within that examination format.
6. Students entering Fall, 1991, and later have two attempts to pass the qualifying examination(s). Students can receive a grade of pass, provisional pass, or fail. In order to obtain a provisional pass, no more than 1 question may be failed. In the case of a provisional pass, the committee will specify what is needed to pass the exam. Students who fail an examination are encouraged to meet with the examination committee.
7. If a student fails a doctoral qualifying examination twice, s/he may petition the graduate committee to re-enter the program. The examination committee will specify the remedial work required before the student attempts to write the exam again.
8. Following successful completion of the written qualifying exams as well as the majority of coursework and all Graduate School requirements, the student should petition for appointment of a dissertation committee and admission to candidacy.
9. Defense of the dissertation proposal fulfills the Graduate School Qualifying Oral Examination. Examiners will be the dissertation committee--three graduate faculty form the Sociology Department and one graduate faculty member from outside the Sociology Department. Additional information about exam procedures is available from the department office.
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