Effective Fall 2019

Each ECE doctoral student must identify and form their "candidacy committee" as soon as possible after matriculation at Auburn University, preferably within the first year. The committee must make a "satisfactory/ unsatisfactory" (yes/no) decision in the following manner.

• The committee must have at least three ECE faculty, and must include the student's major advisor. Additional committee members, including those outside of ECE are permissible, but all must be members of the Auburn University Graduate Faculty.
• The candidacy committee shall define "satisfactory progress" criteria that must be completed before the student can continue in the program. Criteria may vary among students, and may include, but are not limited to, examinations, coursework, project activity, and professional conduct.
• The candidacy committee shall make a decision, "satisfactory (yes)" or "unsatisfactory (no)", within 24 months of matriculation.
• The report of the candidacy committee shall be included in the department's records for the student.
• If the decision is "unsatisfactory," then the student has one more semester to bring progress to a satisfactory level.

Students who fail to receive a satisfactory candidacy committee decision shall be dismissed from the doctoral program.

Students who previously passed the ECE Ph.D. Qualifying Examination are considered to have completed successful candidacy. The qualifying examination is offered for the final time in Fall 2019.

Candidacy Principles & Committee Report:   (fillable PDF)   (Sample)