The general qualifying exam is administered to demonstrate competence in various substantive areas of psychology. The exam is held on one weekday in July or August, following the student’s second year, from10 a.m. 3 p.m. Three sections of the examination cover required substantive areas: psychopathology, diagnosis and assessment, and interventions. Students elect community psychology, personality and development, or biopsychology as the fourth section.

Qualifying exam sections may be retaken, one year later, if failed. A student may petition the faculty to re-take the qualifying examination at an earlier date. Decisions are determined on an individual basis but consideration is given to those who had a borderline fail on the initial exam and have a compelling reason to take the exam at an earlier time (i.e., those applying for internship or scheduling a prospectus hearing.) Occasionally, another method for demonstrating competency in a failed area will be allowed.

The General Qualifying exam is graded by section, and only failed sections are retaken. If a student fails more than two sections, he or she must retake the entire exam the following year. If a section is not re-offered, candidates and advisors agree on the most appropriate substitution. The program provides a suggested reading list.

The general qualifying exams must be successfully completed prior to holding a dissertation prospectus hearing or applying for internship.