In order to advance to PhD candidacy, students must pass a written examination covering the First field and an oral Qualifying Examination (QE) covering all three fields. Both exams must be taken no later than the eighth semester for pre-MA students, and the sixth semester for post-MA students. They should be completed in the first half of the semester to allow time for the dissertation prospectus and colloquium to be completed by the end of the semester. If a student fails to pass the First Field and QE within this timeframe, they will be placed on academic probation. If they fail to take and pass both exams within the next semester (ninth for pre-MA students, seventh for post-MA students) they will be dismissed from the program.
Students are responsible for assembling a committee of four faculty to serve as their QE Committee. Three of these faculty must be members of AHMA; the fourth, the Academic Senate representative, may, but need not, be from outside the Group. Graduate Division requires that all QE Committee members must be members of the Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate. Under certain circumstances, a non-Senate member may be appointed to a QE Committee as an inside member or co-chair if they offer expertise not otherwise available among the Senate faculty. The chair of the Qualifying Examination Committee cannot also serve as chair of the student’s Dissertation Committee. The Committee must be formally constituted by the student and approved by the Graduate Division 3 weeks prior to the QE; the student should consult with the GSAO for assistance in this process.
The written examination covers the First field only. It is a comprehensive exam based on a reading list composed in consultation with at least two relevant members of the QE Committee. Those Committee members then set and evaluate the exam. Written examinations normally require the student to choose no more than three essays from a wide range of questions in three hours.
The oral Qualifying Examination (QE) covers the First, Second, and Special fields. It is based on reading lists composed in consultation with the QE Committee. Upon confirming their exam plans with their advisory committee, students should contact the GSAO to schedule their exam and submit exam requests to Grad Div. The exam is conducted by the QE Committee. The QE is scheduled for three hours and should be taken no sooner than ten days after the written exam. Its intent is to ascertain the breadth and depth of a student’s knowledge of their fields. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the facts, principles, and methodologies that apply in their fields of study (and prospective dissertation research) and to show a capacity for critical thinking and analysis.
Students who fail (i) the written examination or (ii) any portion of the QE may repeat it only once, usually after a minimum interval of six months. In special circumstances, the student’s QE Committee, with the approval of the Graduate Advisor, may allow an interval of less than six months. A student who does not pass the second written examination or the second attempt at all or part of the QE is subject to dismissal from the program.