The Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary Exam is taken by all HCDE PhD students after having completed 30 credits. The Preliminary Exam consists of (1) a formal paper and public presentation of research, and (2) a review of the candidate's record by the Director of the PhD Program.
 
If a student is admitted to the HCDE PhD program and has already completed a master's thesis in a HCDE-related field, the student may use their thesis as the written portion of their Preliminary Exam, and work with the adviser to schedule an oral component of the exam (perhaps as a 521 seminar). Students who completed a HCDE-related master's degree but did not write a thesis will need to follow the procedures described below.
 
The Preliminary Exam is designed to measure a student's ability to do perform successfully in a PhD program. The Preliminary Exam falls between the Master's and PhD, and incoming students who have Master's degrees are also required to take the Prelim.
 
The Preliminary Exam Committee
The Preliminary Exam committee will be a static three-member committee that is reconstituted yearly. Each of the three members of the committee shall have one vote in deciding whether a student passes, fails, or must re-do part of the exam (oral or written). Decisions will be made by majority vote. Possible outcomes for the exam are pass, fail, or revisions required. Committee feedback to the student may include (a) changes that are required before a passing evaluation is given, and (b) changes that are suggested for making the argument more professional, suitable for publication, etc. In other words, the exam is also a valuable opportunity to provide feedback to students that can help improve their scholarly work.
 
Scheduling the Exam
When a student is ready to schedule their Preliminary Exam, they will contact the Director of the PhD Program to discuss timing. Once students schedule the exam, they will be responsible for making the paper available to committee members at least two weeks before the presentation in hard copy or electronic form. All committee members will read the paper before the presentation; however, students should not assume that all audience members will have read the paper.
 
The Oral Presentation
The oral part of the Preliminary Exam usually lasts around one and a half hours. The oral presentation part of the Preliminary Exam is open to the public. After the presentation there will be approximately 15 minutes during which members of the public are allowed to ask questions. After that, observers will be asked to leave and the exam committee will continue the discussion with the student.
 
Results
Students will be informed of exam results within four weeks. Students who do not pass the Preliminary Exam for Ph.D. study may take the exam one more time, within six months of failing the first exam. If the student fails the second exam, he/she proceeds to finish a terminal master's degree.
 
Students who pass the Preliminary Exam may request to earn a MS degree if he/she has met all of the following:
  • completed all of the course requirements of a MS degree
  • successfully passed their Preliminary Exam
  • selected at least two of their dissertation committee members (one of whom is their committee chair) by the end of his/her second year
The criteria for evaluation for the Preliminary Exam are:
 
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
Did the student demonstrate his/her ability to:
  • define a significant research question
  • situate the research question in relevant literature
  • identify a method appropriate for pursuing the question (qualitative, quantitative, theoretical exploration, lit review, ...)
  • implement the method with acceptable rigor
  • develop appropriate results
  • identify appropriate conclusions
ABOUT THE PAPER
Did the student demonstrate his/her ability to:
  • document the results of a research activity in sufficient detail
  • present the results to an academic audience
  • communicate ideas clearly
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION

Did the student demonstrate his/her ability to:

  • Prepare a presentation appropriate for an academic audience
  • Give the presentation in a manner appropriate for academia
  • Respond to questions professionally (confidently, accurately)