Mailing Address
Psychology Department
N218 Elliott Hall
75 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN
55455-0344

Map/Directions

Main Office
Phone: 612-625-2818
Fax: 612-626-2079

 


Department Intranet

Ph.D. Oral Examinations

Prelim Oral
After successful completion of the Written Special Exam, the student takes the preliminary oral exam. This is a general examination intended to assess both the breadth and depth of expertise.

The outcome of the examination, with all committee members present and voting, is recorded in one of three possible ways: passed, pass with reservations, or fail. The voting proportions necessary for these decisions are as fellows: if the committee consists of four members, a favorable verdict for passing consists of either a unanimous vote or a vote of 3-1. Candidates who do not earn committee votes in these proportions fail the examination. If, to achieve the minimum number of votes to reach a verdict of pass, any vote of pass with reservations is included, then the outcome will be recorded as a pass with reservations. A vote to pass the student with reservations still constitutes a passing vote.

If the committee decides that a student passed the examination with reservations, it must inform the student immediately. The Chair of the Preliminary Oral Committee then sends a letter to the student that clearly stipulates the reservations and the steps required to remove them.

Students who fail the Preliminary Oral are automatically no long considered to be doctoral students.

The Preliminary Oral Exam must be successfully completed by the end of Fall Semester of the fifth year in the program.

Final Oral
The Final Oral focuses on a defense of all aspects of the dissertation research. It can be scheduled only after the dissertation advisor and the readers agree that the student's dissertation is in a form appropriate for the final oral defense.

Student at this stage of their graduate studies should request a Graduation Packet from the Graduate School. This packet includes graduation instructions, Thesis Reviewer’s Report (which you will need to have signed before the Final Oral date), Application for Degree, etc.

Scheduling Orals
Major advisors in the Psychology Department may not give permission to their advisees to hold either preliminary or final oral examinations between May 15 and August 30 unless the circumstances are most unusual. Application for waiver of this rule may be made to the Chair of the Department, in writing, by the student and the advisor. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule the preliminary and final oral with the examiners and with the Graduate School (GS), 316 Johnston Hall, at least one week in advance. The GS scheduling forms are online at http://www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/forms/doctoral.html.

Composition of Ph.D. Committees
All preliminary and final oral committees for candidates for the Ph.D. in the Department must include at least two voting members of the Psychology Department faculty. The committee must consist of at least 4 members: 3 from the field of the student's major program and 1 from the field of the minor or supporting program.

Deadlines for Completing Orals
The Preliminary Oral must be successfully completed by the end of Fall Semester of the fifth year.The Final Oral Examination must be completed five (5) years after successful completion of the Preliminary Oral.Further details about time limits for degree completion are available from the Graduate School.