Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling Information

How It Works

• The student must schedule the preliminary oral examination with the Graduate School online as soon as a date is set, but no later than one week prior to the examination.
• Once the student schedules online, a confirmation email will be sent to the student's UMN email account.
• Upon initial review of the student’s record, an email will be sent to the student’s UMN email account regarding any outstanding preliminary oral exam requirements, and how to fulfill those requirements.
• About one week prior to the exam, an email will be sent to the student’s UMN email account confirming authorization of the exam or reminding the student of remaining outstanding requirements.

Please note that the student is responsible for scheduling and confirming the time and place of the examination with all committee members and for following their program’s internal scheduling procedures.  In certain health science fields the faculty requires 30 days' notice of the date of the preliminary oral examination.

Changes to the Examining Committee

Any changes in the make-up of the examining committee must be reported to the Graduate School immediately and approved by the Graduate School prior to the examination. For more information regarding committee changes, click here.

Examination Requirements

The following requirements must be met with the Graduate School before the preliminary oral examination can be authorized:

1. You must hold active status in the Graduate School at the time of the examination.

2. Your Degree Program form must have been approved by the Graduate School.

         Note: minors must be declared and approved prior to the preliminary oral examination.

3. Your Preliminary Written Examination Report form, indicating that you have passed the examination(s), must be on file with the Graduate School.