PhD Qualifying Exams

General Comprehensive Exams

A student must pass the general comprehensive examination (GCE) in order to become a PhD candidate. The purpose of the GCE is to determine whether a student possesses the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for study and research at the PhD level. It is a written examination offered three times a year, once each in January, May, and August. A student must pass by January of their second year if they enter in the fall and May of their second year if they enter in the spring.