The Ph.D. degree is awarded by the University of California as the mark of highest achievement in preparation for active scholarship and research in an academic discipline. A holder of the Ph.D. degree possesses knowledge of a broad field of learning and has presented a dissertation containing an original contribution to the chosen field of study.
A total of six quarters in residence are required for the Ph.D. degree. In addition, a student must register for a minimum of three quarters after advancement to candidacy.
Departments and graduate programs may establish whatever conditions concerning a language requirement are appropriate to the field of study. In a program where there is a language requirement, it must be satisfied prior to advancement to candidacy.
The purpose of the qualifying examination is to demonstrate that the student has an adequate knowledge of the field and specialty, knows how to use academic resources, and is capable of conducting independent research for the dissertation.
If a student fails the examination, the committee must make a recommendation for or against a second examination. The committee must be the same as for the original exam. If the student failed in all areas, the re-examination must be on all subjects involved. A partial failure, in which the student passes some fields, but not others, also counts as a first examination. However, re-examination after partial failure may be restricted to those areas in which the original performance was unsatisfactory. A third examination is not permitted.
A student may be advanced to candidacy after successful completion of the qualifying examination, provided that there are no other deficiencies, such as incomplete grades. At least three quarters in registered student status must elapse between advancement to candidacy and conferral of the degree. The application for candidacy, indicating the subject of investigation for the dissertation, and proposed committee to guide the research and pass on the merits of the dissertation, must be filed with the Dean of Graduate Studies. The proposed dissertation committee must consist of a minimum of three (3) Academic Senate members. The dissertation chair must be a different individual than the chair who served on the qualifying examination. To be effective for a particular quarter, applications for advancement to candidacy must be received by the first day of that quarter. Applications for candidacy submitted after the first day of the quarter will be approved for the following quarter. Forms can be obtained from the Graduate Division or on-line. Candidacy for the doctoral degree is lapsed if a student has not completed requirements for the degree within four years after advancement to candidacy. Leaves of absence count against this time. Upon lapse of candidacy, a petition for reinstatement must be accompanied by a recommendation from the faculty of the student’s degree program on whether a new qualifying examination is required. Once a student is advanced to candidacy for a doctoral degree, he/she is considered full-time for the rest of his/her time as a graduate student unless on an approved leave of absence. A maximum of three quarters leave is permitted.
The dissertation is the final and most important step in a program for the doctoral degree. It should be a work of independent research that makes an original contribution to knowledge in the student's academic discipline, and should be of sufficient depth and quality to be published. The content and style of the dissertation is entirely at the discretion of the student's degree program and dissertation committee. Regulations of the Graduate Division are concerned only with the form of the final manuscript. The Graduate Division does not require an oral defense of the dissertation, although a defense is a requirement of some degree programs. When a student submits a signed copy of the dissertation to the Graduate Division which has been signed by all members of the committee, it is assumed that all requirements for the degree program have been met and that the degree may be conferred.
The degree of Candidate in Philosophy (C. Phil.) may be awarded to any student who has passed the qualifying examination and has advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. It is awarded only rarely and in particular circumstances, such as a student’s need to obtain a community college teaching credential. The C. Phil. is not a terminal degree and presumes that the student is in good standing and qualified to progress to the Ph.D. When conferral of the Candidate in Philosophy degree is considered for a particular student, the graduate advisor should consult with the Graduate Division before making a formal recommendation.