What is a qualifying exam?
A qualifying exam (Ph.D. students only) is the bridge between coursework and your dissertation. Qualifying exams are normally done in the fall semester. Typically, students will take the survival skills course in the spring semester before their fall qualifying exam. The format of the qualifying exam varies by program; however, the general layout is that of an NIH-R01 grant. The student will prepare a proposal and a presentation and will present both to their qualifying exam committee. See LaTesha for qualifying exam committee forms (to be submitted in the spring/summer semester before the qualifying exam).
The qualifying exam is a written/oral exam, covering areas appropriate to the student’s training and research interests, given by a committee of 6 faculty members representing at least 3 different departments. The specific exam format is set by the student’s degree-granting program, but typically, the exam involves writing a thesis research proposal and doing a literature search to answer a question outside the student’s main area of interest. The written exam is then defended in an oral exam before the examining committee. All PhD students must pass this exam by the end of their 2nd year in order to go on as candidates for the doctoral degree.
The Department will accept the following exams: Air Force DD214 – HVAC Angelina College, Lufkin, HVAC Ashworth University, HVAC ATI (American Trades Institute, HVAC) Austin Community College, HVAC Capital City Trade – HVAC Career Centers of Brownsville, HVAC CARRIER Technical Training Certification Castillo Training – NATE ONLY Central Texas College – HVAC Centre County, HVAC CFESA – Master Tech. Certification (Commercial Food Equipment Service Association) City of San Antonio HVAC Dallas County Community College, HVAC Education Direct/Penn Foster HVAC El Paso Community College, HVAC Everest Institute, HVAC Hill College, HVAC HVAC EXCELLENCE IAPMO (International Association Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) ICC (International Code Council) ICE (Industry Competence Exam) ICS/National Education – HVAC Kilgore Junior College, HVAC Lincoln Technical Institute, HVAC Lindsey-Cooper Lone Star College, HVAC Meridian Technology Center, HVAC NATE (North American Technician Excellence) National
