Candidacy Examination Eligibility and Timing

Eligibility for the candidacy examination includes successful completion of:

  • Nursing science major course work: N8400, 8440, 8441, 8460, 8462 (students admitted prior to 2016 will also need 8461), 8780, 8781, 8782 or, if admitted after 2017 or successful petition, 8783, 8784, 8785, 8786, 2 statistics courses (if admitted after 2017, the 3rd statistics course may be taken after candidacy), and, if admitted after 2017, 8891.01 and 8891.02
  • Cognate minor course work (minimum of 6 credit hours)
  • If admitted prior to 2017, elective course work (minimum of 6 of 9 required credit hours)
  • If admitted prior to 2017, two semesters of research residency (6 credits); if admitted after 2017 one semester of research residency (3  credits)
  • N7781: Responsible conduct of research
  • Approved curriculum plan (all students) and Individualized Development Plan (if admitted in 2019 or later).

 

Timing

  1. The Candidacy Examination (oral portion) is taken after completion of required doctoral coursework.
  2. The Candidacy Examination (written and oral portion) should take place during the same semester.
  3. The Candidacy Examination (oral portion) may not be taken later than two terms before graduation. The Candidacy Examination may not be taken during the semester in which the dissertation is defended.
  4. The student must be registered for at least 3 credit hours during the term in which the Candidacy Examination (written and oral portion) is taken.
  5. Students who plan to take the Candidacy Examination during summer are responsible for making certain that committee members are on duty.