Ph.D. Graduation Requirements
In order to earn a Ph.D. in IEOR, candidates must successfully complete/meet the following criteria within seven (7) years:
Qualifying Examinations
After the first year, doctoral students are required to take qualifying exams. There are two different qualifying exams:
(1) Written exam on the core courses
(2) Written analysis and oral presentation of a research topic
English Language Requirement
Competence in written and spoken English is extremely important to be an effective researcher and is expected of each doctoral student in SEAS. Thus doctoral students with deficiencies (usually because English is not their native language) are expected to improve their English language skill. Students who completed their undergraduate degree from countries where English is not the official spoken language, are required to take the English Placement Test at Columbia University. All doctoral students must eventually achieve level 10 on the English Placement Test, administered by the American Language Program at Columbia University.
Students who do not pass the English proficiency examinations must meet with the American Language Program (504 Lewisohn) to evaluate which English Language Program courses they would need to improve English proficiency. Based on the need, they could enroll in appropriate courses and retake the examination, until they reach the required level of proficiency. The English Placement Test is given usually twice a month, and sometimes, three times a month. Their schedule is available here.
Dissertation Defense
When the dissertation is complete, there is a final examination by a faculty committee. Prior to application for the final examination, the dissertation must be approved by the sponsor and a faculty reader. The candidate must have complete copies of his thesis available at least four weeks before the examination date.