The academic requirements for the doctorate include at least 48 credits of course work beyond the master`s degree, successful completion of a series of comprehensive examinations, and the completion of an acceptable doctoral dissertation.

All students must enroll for at least 6 credits of course work for each term prior to taking comprehensive exams. Full-time students, including those on financial aid, must enroll for 9 credits per term.

Comprehensive Examination Procedure. Doctoral students become formal candidates for the degree only after successful completion of the comprehensive examination and defense of the dissertation prospectus. The application for admission to candidacy for the degree is to be obtained by the student from the Graduate School- Newark office (Hill Hall, 4th floor) and submitted to the director of the Ph.D. program at the time of completion of exams and the prospectus. This form should then be returned, properly signed, to the graduate school office. The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to test basic working familiarity with concepts in the field of public administration. See examples of previous comp exam questions.

The comprehensive examinations in public administration will consist of the following parts, each of which may be taken only upon completion of all required course work, including resolution of incomplete grades in the relevant area of examination. The program recommends that students who complete all of their course work on a full-time basis sit for part(s) of the examination at the conclusion of the spring term of their second year, and complete all parts of the examination as early as possible in the fall term of their third year; all students (including those who have enrolled on a part-time basis for some terms) should plan to complete the examination process by the end of their third year. Students normally complete the examination process using computers (although examinations may be handwritten and then transcribed).

1. Core Courses . A one-day, in-class, closed-book written examination, consisting of two three-hour answers. Each option will be based upon one of the courses in this sequence. Students will choose to answer two questions from three options.

2. Major Field . A one-day, in-class, closed-book written examination, consisting of two three-hour answers. Each option will be based upon one of the courses in this sequence. Students will choose to answer two questions from three options.

3. Research Design . Development of a research design on a particular subtopic in this field. The student will have one week to complete this part of the examination. This examination may be taken at any time subsequent to the completion of Parts I and II.

Within Parts I and II, examinations will be graded on an anonymous basis (i.e., a student will be identified by a code number, not by name) by the faculty member who had taught each core course and had written the corresponding question, and by a second faculty member assigned by the director of the Ph.D. program. If one faculty member evaluates the exam as a pass and the other as a failure, a third faculty member will be assigned to grade that exam, and the majority opinion shall prevail. If both faculty members evaluate the exam as a failure, the student must repeat the exam for that question at the next regularly scheduled date. In preparation for the examination, sample questions will be available.

Parts I and II of the examination will be offered one week apart, with the Part III question available immediately after the conclusion of Part II. However, students may take each part of the exam at the end of different terms. For example, a student may choose to sit for the examination in theoretical foundations at the end of the spring term (June), and the exam in performance applications at the end of the summer term (September). Upon notice of at least seven days, students may take one or more of the examinations during three examination periods: June, September, and January. As a student applies to take the examination, the director of the Ph.D. program may appoint a committee of two faculty members to assist the student in preparation for the examination. Thus, students should provide notice of intent to take the examination as early as possible.

Each question will be graded as High Pass, Pass, or Fail. A passing grade on the comprehensive examination requires a passing grade in all sections: High Pass or Pass. Students shall be informed of the outcome of each part of the examination within four weeks of completing that part. Each student who takes the examination is counseled by the director of the Ph.D. program once the grading process is complete for each section. A student may retake a section subsequent to a failure, but will be required to take additional course work after a second failure on a section and prior to a third examination in that section. If a student fails a section three times, the student will automatically be asked to leave the program, but may appeal that decision to the program`s Executive Committee.

Dissertation. Once a student has completed all course work, he or she must maintain student status by registering in either dissertation research (when applicable) or matriculation continued. Either registration will keep students on the active roles when they have not registered for course work.

Each candidate for the doctorate shall produce, under faculty direction, a dissertation that is an original investigation of a problem or a collection of problems leading to a significant contribution in the field of concentration. Students must register for a total of 24 dissertation credits prior to graduation. The decision on how many credits a student registers for each term is subject to discussion with the program director.

Every student must submit a formal proposal representing the projected content of his or her dissertation. The dissertation proposal committee shall act as an advising group for the candidate. After he or she completes successfully the comprehensive examinations, each student then selects an adviser, who becomes chairperson of that student`s dissertation committee. The student is required to work with the faculty adviser on developing the proposal and should look to that adviser as a primary source of guidance and supervision. As the work progresses, the student is encouraged to consult with other potential members of the Dissertation Proposal Committee.

The Dissertation Proposal Committee normally consists of four or five members, one of whom should be a member of a graduate faculty at an institution other than Rutgers. Prior to the defense of the proposal, the composition of the dissertation committee must be approved by the Ph.D. director in consultation with the Executive Committee.

Once the student has worked out a draft proposal, he or she meets with the faculty adviser and other members of the Dissertation Proposal Committee to discuss the draft. As the research progresses, the student must keep the Dissertation Proposal Committee informed on how the research is progressing and allow the committee members to assist in its development. The committee agrees to give ample and early warning of any reservations it might have about the student`s progress. The panel must specify in writing any changes it will require for dissertation acceptance.

Dissertation Defense. An oral defense of the dissertation is required after submission of the final document to the dissertation committee for approval. The date for the defense is set by the dissertation adviser in conjunction with the Ph.D. director. The dissertation must be on file in the department office for at least three weeks prior to the formal defense. The student must get signatures of all members of the dissertation committee for final approval of the dissertation to be granted.