Completing the preliminary examination is an important milestone in doctoral programs. This examination marks the transition to Stage III (or candidacy) of the doctoral program.

In order to ensure that students are making timely progress towards their degree, time limits to complete the preliminary examination were set by the Graduate College for students who enrolled starting in Fall 2019. Please note that some departments have expectations around completion of the preliminary examination, and so students should consult with their program to understand program requirements.

In general, the deadline to complete the preliminary examination is two years before the deadline for graduation for a student.

All graduate students have deadlines by which they are expected to complete all degree requirements and graduate.

Deadlines for common student situations:

• A student who enrolls at the University in a doctoral program in Stage I (no approved master’s, 96 hour track)

- Complete their preliminary examination within 5 years of enrolling and graduate within 7 years.

• A student who enrolls at the University in a doctoral program in Stage II (entering with approved master’s, 64 hour track)

- Complete their preliminary examination within 4 years of enrolling and graduate within 6 years.

• A student who enrolls at the University in a master’s program and continues into a doctoral program in the same department

- Students are considered in Stage I from the initial enrollment in a master’s program and have 5 years from first enrollment in the master’s program to complete the preliminary exam and 7 years from first enrollment in the master’s program to complete the doctoral degree.

• A student who enrolls at the University in a different graduate program and then changes curriculum into a doctoral program in a different department

- The expected graduation date (EGD) and preliminary examination deadline (two years prior to the EGD) will be determined by the Graduate College when the student joins the new program.

- Factors considered include the similarities between the two degree programs, the number of hours transferred from one program to another, input from the department, and the academic plan for the student.

Students who do not pass their preliminary examination by their deadline will be considered not in good academic standing. They must successfully pass their preliminary examination in order to return to good academic standing.

Doctoral students who do not graduate by their deadline will have one year to graduate before being considered not in good academic standing. Students who have exceeded their time to degree limit must successfully petition the Graduate College in order to continue in the program.

Learn more about academic standing for graduate students: https://grad.illinois.edu/academic-standing. 

This job aid can help clarify these deadlines for students in different cohorts.

If you have any questions about these time limits, please contact the Graduate College for more information.