Stage 2. Admission to Candidacy
Doctoral candidacy is defined as the point when a doctoral student is deemed ready by the doctoral committee to undertake original research that will result in a dissertation. Admission to candidacy requires the passing of the comprehensive examinations (see below for specific information regarding requirements for the comprehensive examinations). In certain programs, students may also be required to have successfully proposed their dissertation, completed all course work, and fulfilled any special departmental requirements. These requirements should be specified in the departmental or program handbook. Completion of this stage is referred to as Admission to Candidacy for the degree. Enrollment in dissertation credits is permitted only upon the completion of this stage.