In addition to the written comprehensive examination, Ph.D. candidates are required to take an oral examination. The oral comprehensive examination is administered by the Advisory Committee.

The oral examination is open to all members of the faculty and shall be announced by the Graduate School. The student, through the Graduate Coordinator, must notify the Graduate School of the time and place of this examination at least two weeks before the date of the examination.

The oral comprehensive examination is based upon, but need not be limited to, the dissertation proposal and the student's area of specialization. Topics of examination include in-depth knowledge of the area of research and materials pertinent to the program of study; also included is presentation of preliminary data and a research prospectus, including a research calendar.

If a majority of the examining committee judges that the student has failed the oral comprehensive examination, it may be rescheduled with the same (where possible) examining committee no later than two quarters from the date of the first examination. A second failure will lead to immediate dismissal.

The oral comprehensive examination should be completed in the semester following the written comprehensive examination. For most students this schedule will result in the onset of clearly defined dissertation research by the summer quarter following the second year.

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