Preliminary dissertation research should begin during the summer months at the end of the first and second years in order to investigate possible dissertation topics and the sources that might support them. Funding to support pre-dissertation research is available from various units on campus.

A student advances to candidacy status after successfully completing a preliminary examination and after having the results of the examination ratified by the Program Advisory Committee.

A student should make every effort to advance to candidacy within two years or sooner from the date of first enrollment. It is recommended that students establish the parameters of the dissertation topic and the reading lists for the major and minor preliminary exams by the end of the second year. (May) Preparation for the exams should take place during the ensuing summer months, and the exams completed during the fall term of the third year.

Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination is intended to be both a personally broadening and synthesizing experience. In general, it is an examination designed to challenge students with the kinds of questions that researchers and scholars seek answers to throughout their careers. The purpose of the examination is to demonstrate the student's competence in both the major and minor subject areas, as well as a broad and integrative knowledge of architectural research.

Specifically, the preliminary examination seeks to pose the kinds of questions that will help the student:

(1) look back and rethink in a broader framework the knowledge that has been gained through the student's coursework, and especially the practicum.

(2) to look ahead and conceptualize in a broader context the question(s) that may inform the concept and research design of the dissertation.

Please note that students must be registered for at least 1 credit hour of 990 to be eligible to sit for the examinations.

Step One: Dissertation Topic
A dissertation topic serves to provide an important context for formulating examination questions and should be developed in consultation with the student's major faculty advisor. The dissertation topic should be defined and articulated in a text that is as concise as possible. This text should provide an indication of the research question or hypothesis, the methods that may be used and the possible outcomes of the research. It is understood that these ideas are preliminary.

Step Two: Preliminary Committee
The Preliminary Examination Committee consists of the major examination advisor, the minor examination advisor, and the integrative examination advisor (this committee may or may not include members of the student's dissertation committee). This committee must be approved by the Program chair prior to the start of the exam period (form is available from the program secretary).

Step Three: Scheduling Examinations
Confirm An Exam Date With All Committee Members.
Provide a general time frame, understood by all participants, concerning the schedule for the examinations. Students are required to begin their examinations at least 30 days prior to the last day of classes in the term in which they advance to candidacy. It should be noted that no more than 90 days are permitted to elapse between the beginning of the examinations and their conclusion. A copy of this schedule should then be forwarded to the Program Chair and the Program Secretary.

The Program Secretary will perform a Prelims Audit making certain that you have met all requirements prior to taking your prelims.

The requirements for passing the Prelims Audit are as follows:

• has acquired at least 18/36 Rackham Fee Totals
• no outstanding incompletes in coursework
• enrolled at least 1 credit hour in the term in which taking the preliminary exams
• Completion of 39 Credit Hours of Graded Course Work
Course work includes
• credits of core courses (includes 4 credit hours related to the Research Practicum)
   • 12 credit hours in the major specialization area,
   • 9 credit hours in a minor specialization area, and
   • 3 elected credit hours.

Step Four: Taking The Written Exams
The written examinations consist of a series of essay questions formulated with each student's particular course preparation, research interests and proposed dissertation topic in mind.

A. Pick up major exam question on scheduled date from the program secretary.
Major Examination questions are developed by the major professor. They are aimed at testing the student's knowledge of his/her declared major area of specialization and his/her ability critically to integrate various aspects of that knowledge. The parameters of the student's declared major area of specialization and the emphasis reflected in major examination questions are, for the most part, established by the major professor in consultation with the student.

B. Complete and return exam to the program secretary within the 96 hour time period.

C. Pick up the Minor Exam question on scheduled date from the program secretary.
The Minor Examination is intended to cover the student's minor area of specialization. The question(s) for the minor examination is/are developed by the minor professor in a manner similar to those prepared for the major examination.

D. Complete and return exam to the program secretary within the 48 hour time period.

Step Five: Evaluation of the Written Examinations
Student responses to the two written examinations are reviewed by all members of the Examination Committee. However, each member of the Examination Committee has the responsibility to evaluate critical student responses to his/her questions. If the results of this evaluation are deemed satisfactory, they are used to formulate questions for the oral exam. If the written examinations are not passed, the student may be separated from the Program. The Examination Committee may, however, permit one re- take of any or all of the written examinations as well as indicate any additional requirements the student needs to satisfy to prepare for re-examination. Only those examinations evaluated as unsatisfactory need to be re-taken.

Step Six: Taking the Oral Examination
The oral examination is based upon the two written examinations. The Examination Committee shall meet at least once prior to the oral examination to discuss the results of the written examinations and to formulate questions for the oral examination.

The oral examination is aimed at assessing the student's ability to synthesize the theoretical and methodological issues in his/her major and minor areas of specialization within the discipline of architecture. This examination is also intended as a forum for the Examination Committee to meet with the student and discuss issues arising from the written examinations. The Examination Committee may choose to conduct this discussion in closed session.

Upon completion of the oral examination, the qualifying examination process is complete. If the student does not pass this examination, he or she may be separated from the Program. The Examination Committee may, however, permit the student to take the oral examination once more as well as indicate any additional steps the student needs to take in preparing for re-examination.

After completion of the oral examinations, the Examination Committee informs the student of the Committee's evaluation and its recommendation to the Program Chair. If the Examination Committee determines that all parts of the preliminary examination have been successfully completed, the Program secretary will forward a Recommendation for Candidacy to the Rackham Graduate School for final approval. Formal notification of his/her advancement to candidacy is sent to the student by Rackham.