The QED will be assessed by the student's supervisory committee and the Program Director (or delegated Chair) in a formal oral examination. Every effort will be made to schedule the oral examination within four weeks of the date on which the supervisory committee approves the qualifying examination dossier for oral examination.
The oral examination will consist of a brief (15-20 minute) presentation by the student, followed by questions from the examining committee. Generally, the total time for the oral examination should not exceed 90 minutes.
The oral examination of the dossier will be evaluated as follows:
- Pass with distinction: The student continues in the IDSR PhD, transitioning from the qualifying phase to the dissertation/candidacy phase. This outcome demonstrates work of exceptional quality in the dossier and oral examination.
- Pass: The student continues in the IDSR PhD, transitioning from the qualifying phase to the dissertation/candidacy phase.
- Pass with revisions: The student may continue in the IDSR PhD program, but must take steps to revise the dossier as outlined by the examining committee, which may include re-examination. Students who are unable to revise their dossier to the satisfaction of the examining committee within a reasonable time as determined by the examining committee and the graduate director will be required to withdraw from the IDSR PhD program. In an instance where a second examination of the dossier results in an evaluation of less than pass, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the IDSR PhD program.
- Fail: The student is required to withdraw from the IDSR PhD program.
Following the approval of the QED, the student is approved as a doctoral candidate, and may commence dissertation work (pending approval of the REB, if required). The Chair of the examining committee will submit the qualifying exam assessment page to the IDSR program office.