Smith PhD Program Overview

Oral Comprehensive Exam

In the event of a poor performance on the written Comprehensive Exam , the student may be required to take an Oral Exam.

The oral comprehensive examination should be scheduled within six weeks of the failed comprehensive examination.

Oral examining committees will be established by the area advisors in consultation with the area PhD committee. The PhD Program Director approves all examining committees before they are announced.

All pertinent information concerning the oral examination should be given to the PhD Program Office two weeks prior to this examination. The information will then be posted, as this examination is open to the public.

Detailed objectives and conduct of the oral examination can vary across areas and from student to student. Students are requested to consult their area advisors for further details on the conduct of their oral examinations.

Results of the oral examination are ordinarily given to the student orally at the end of the examination period. A formal record of the examination is filed in the PhD Program Office by the chair of the examining committee.

Grading categories for the oral examination are the same as for the written comprehensive examination. "Conditional Pass" grades must be removed by satisfactory performance of the stipulated condition(s) (not a second "Conditional Pass"). A failed examination may be repeated, but the examination must be passed (or the "Conditional Pass" must be replaced with a passing grade) in order to remain in the program.