Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

The qualifying examination 
This examination can be taken after attaining 18 credits but no later than at the completion of 33 credits of coursework. 

Predoctoral research project 
Completion of this research project will involve participation in at least one research project under the supervision of at least (but not limited to) the student’s faculty mentor (see 2a. above). The student is required to write at least one paper from the predoctoral research project deemed publishable by all supervisory faculty for the project.

Completion of Dissertation project
- Dissertation proposal defense before the fifth year in the program
- An original and independent dissertation research project after a successful dissertation proposal defense

- Dissertation defense before the eighth year in the program

If a student wishes to complete a Clinical Fellowship Year to attain clinical certification during the duration of the Ph.D. program, accommodations for that time can be made in consultation with the advisor and Director of the program and upon their approval.