2019 QE Workflow.pdf

To satisfy the breadth requirements of the PhD INFT, a student must demonstrate their proficiency in the foundational knowledge specific to their program of study. This is satisfied through completion of two Fundamental Knowledge courses, and two Qualifying Exams. The Fundamental Knowledge courses and the Qualifying Exams are listed in the study guide maintained by the Office of Graduate Studies. Selection of the two Fundamental Knowledge courses and the two Qualifying Exams must be approved by the student’s PhD advisor and submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Time limits: Students who enter the program with a 24-30 credit reduction from a prior Master’s degree must satisfy all breadth requirements no later than twelve months following the end of their fourth semester in the program. Students who enter the program with a reduction of less than 24 credits must satisfy all breadth requirements no later than twelve months following the end of their sixth semester in the program. In both instances, these time limits include all attempts at the Fundamental Knowledge courses and the Qualifying Exams. Time limits apply to all PhD INFT students, regardless of their part-time or full-time study status. Failure to satisfy all breadth requirements by the specified time is cause for termination from the PhD INFT program.

Fundamental Knowledge course requirement: Students are required to complete two Fundamental Knowledge courses within the first 24 months of their PhD enrollment, regardless of their part-time or full-time study status and regardless of credit reductions from previous coursework. Fundamental Knowledge courses are listed in the study guide maintained by the Office of Graduate Studies. Fundamental Knowledge courses must be approved by the PhD advisor; must be specific to the student’s program of study; and must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. These courses can be used as credit toward the student’s plan of study, but will not count toward their 700 level minimum requirement.

Students must earn a grade of A- or better in both Fundamental Knowledge courses on their first attempt to satisfy this component of the breadth requirement. Students failing to earn a grade of A- or better on their first attempt in one or both Fundamental Knowledge courses are required to take and pass in one attempt, supplementary Qualifying Exams. Supplementary Qualifying Exams must cover the bodies of fundamental knowledge associated with the Fundamental Knowledge courses in which the student earned a grade of less than A-. Supplementary Qualifying Exams are in addition to the two Qualifying Exams required and described below. All Qualifying Exams, including supplementary Qualifying Exams, must be completed within the period defined above under Time Limits.

Qualifying Exam requirement: Students satisfying the Fundamental Knowledge course requirement described above are required to take and pass two Qualifying Exams within the period defined above under Time Limits. Qualifying Exams are listed in the study guide maintained by the Office of Graduate Studies. Selection of Qualifying Exams must be approved by the PhD advisor; must be specific to the student’s program of study; must not duplicate the bodies of knowledge of the student’s Fundamental Knowledge courses described above; and must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Qualifying Exams are offered twice a year just before the fall and spring semesters. Each exam is allocated two hours and graded on a pass or fail basis using a double blind procedure. Students must take all required Qualifying Exams in their first attempt. Students failing one or both of their Qualifying Exams on the first attempt are required to retake the Qualifying Exams they did not pass, the next time the Qualifying Exams are offered. Students failing Qualifying Exams may not subsequently satisfy the breadth requirement by completing Fundamental Knowledge courses covering the same bodies of knowledge. Failure to satisfy all breadth requirements, including the Qualifying Exams, within the period defined above under Time Limits, is cause for termination from the PhD INFT program.

Students failing to earn a grade of A- or better in one or both Fundamental Knowledge courses are required to take and pass supplementary Qualifying Exams in the bodies of knowledge covered by the Fundamental Knowledge courses in which they earned a grade of less than A-. Supplementary Qualifying Exams are in addition to the two required Qualifying Exams described above. Students must pass supplementary Qualifying Exams in one attempt only. Failure to satisfy all breadth requirements, including all Qualifying Exams, within the period defined above under Time Limits, is cause for termination from the PhD INFT program.