Ph.D. Exam Scheduling

Comprehensive Exam

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the details for the comprehensive exam process and expectations for the dissertation research proposal defense by reviewing the Ph.D. Roadmap.

Reserve a Room

For all room reservations, please email Jenna Hart at jns5431@psu.edu. If you have a room preference, please include this in the email.

Submit an Exam Request Form

At least one month prior to your exam, submit an electronic Exam Request form.

Doctoral Committee Appointment Signature Form

Once the Graduate Programs Office receives your exam request form, they will generate your Doctoral Committee Appointment Signature form and an email will be sent to your PSU email address from Adobe Sign. Doctoral Committee forms are completed electronically through Adobe Sign.

English Competency and the Communication and Foreign Language Requirement

An international candidate for the Ph.D. must have satisfied the English competency and the communication and foreign language requirement before taking the comprehensive examination.

Minimum Grade-point Average of 3.00

All candidates are required to have a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for coursework done at the University at the time the comprehensive examination is given and may not have deferred or missing grades.

Registered as Full-time or Part-time Student

The candidate must be registered as a full-time or part-time student for the semester in which the comprehensive examination is taken.

When a Period of More Than Six Years Has Elapsed

between the passing of the comprehensive examination and the completion of the dissertation defense, the student is required to pass a second comprehensive examination before the final oral examination will be scheduled.

Final Defense

Reserve a Room

For all room reservations, please email Jenna Hart at jns5431@psu.edu. If you have a room preference, please include this in the email.

Submit an Exam Request Form

At least one month prior to your exam, submit an electronic Exam Request form.

Possible Committee Member Changes

Please contact the Graduate Programs Office if any of your committee members have changed since your comprehensive exam. If needed, a Revised Doctoral Committee Form will be completed and sent to you through Adobe Sign.

Processing

The Graduate Office will forward your information to the Graduate School for processing.