Per the UNT Graduate Catalog - The student who has completed all courses required for the degree (exclusive of dissertation) and has satisfied all admission, residency, language and other tool-subject requirements should request that the major professor arrange for the qualifying examination to be held. Consult the graduate advisor in the major area for information about the qualifying examination requirement.

Ordinarily no dissertation enrollment is permitted until this examination has been passed. Students are admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree by the graduate school upon successful completion of the qualifying examination and other requirements. The department should notify the Office of the Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School when a student passes the qualifying examination and is admitted to candidacy.

Per the UNT VPAA website - Academic Progression Level 3: Doctoral students who have completed all coursework, have passed all their qualifying examinations, and are in good academic standing. Exceptions must be approved by the Graduate Dean. For advancement to Pay Level III, departments must fill out the Qualifying Exam Results form.  *Examples of current exceptions approved by the Graduate Dean are individual research and internship courses.*