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Students who have shown disruptive, hostile, dangerous or other questionable behavior
during the first year will be confidentially counseled by their advisor, a department
administrator, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, additional faculty as appropriate, and
any other person deemed to be relevant to the discussion. This process may be initiated at
any time, as needed. It need not wait until the preliminary review process. Such behavior
may result in dismissal from the program.
Following the preliminary review meeting, the student will receive one of the following
outcomes:
a)
Pass review, effective immediately.
b)
Pass review, with faculty recommendations for changes.
Please Note:
In order to obtain one of these recommendations, all grades
must be B or higher, with no grades of incomplete. Courses with a grade C may
have to be retaken.
c)
Repeat Preliminary Review, with continued enrollment contingent on the student
satisfying one or more specified criteria in the course of a specified amount of time.
d)
Dismissal from doctoral program.
II. Qualifying Exam
The qualifying examination is a written examination given after students have completed
all the required course work, and before beginning dissertation hours. Successful
completion of the qualifying examination is required to move to advanced standing and
begin dissertation research. Doctoral Seminar, a one-credit course, is offered to help
students prepare for the exam and should be taken in the student’s final term of
coursework. In addition, some students find it helpful to form study groups. Students are
encouraged to begin to prepare for the exam well in advance.
Qualifying exams are given three times per academic year, once per term. The exam is
available on-line and takes place over three weekdays. Students may take the
examination on NSU’s campus or anywhere else of their choosing. Students will be able to
access the exam at a specific time on the morning of the first day, and their answers will
be due 72 hours later. Students may use whatever materials they choose, but are
expected to work alone. They are expected to write the exam answers in their own words
and to use appropriate citations when applicable. Exam answers will be submitted to
Turnitin.com to check for proper citation. The exam consists of a single question; the
answer will integrate theory, research, and practice aspects of conflict analysis and
resolution.
Teams of faculty members grade the exam answers. Students are assigned an
examination number. Thus, faculty members do not know whose answers they are
reviewing. Students’ answers are evaluated on the substantive content, logical and
coherent style, and relevant use of class and other academic material. Students who
receive a failing grade by the team of faculty graders may take the examination again, up
to a maximum of three times. However, students will be required to prepare and wait until
the next examination is offered. Following failure of the exam, faculty may require that a
student retake a particular class, prepare a special written assignment, or other remedial
tasks before the exam can be taken for the second time. After three consecutive failures,
the student will be dismissed from the doctoral program.
Please visit
to view practice questions for the qualifying
examination.
