Exam Committees

Note: The platforms used for many examination forms will change during the 2024-25 academic year. Staff will update this page as quickly as possible after each new form is implemented, but if anything on this page appears out of date or you need additional guidance, email the ADGS for assistance.

Faculty complete electronic forms to record students’ progress through key degree milestones. Most forms will be sent to your UMN email account. 

Ask the student about the status of a form if you think one is missing. Uncompleted forms can delay student progress, create inaccurate records, and prevent degree clearance for graduation.

• Committee composition approvals (PhD prelim and final, Plan A MA & Plan B MA): Initiated by the student, completed by the Primary Advisor, DGS, and CLA College Coordinator. 
  • Note: This form has a time limit. It will forward to the next approver if no action is taken by the approval deadline. 
• Preliminary Written Exam Results form: Completed, signed, and submitted by the advisor(s) to the ADGS as a PDF.
  • Note: The ADGS must submit the result before a student can proceed with preliminary oral exam steps. 
• Examination Results form (PhD prelim and final, Plan A & Plan B MA final): Completed by the committee chair. A student’s record will not have a passing result on record until this form is completed. 
  • Note: This form cannot be backdated; complete the form at the close of the oral exam whenever possible.
• Reviewers’ Report forms (PhD final exam & Plan A MA): Initiated by the student when they distribute their dissertation or MA thesis to members of the committee. All committee members designated as reviewers must complete their form before the student's exam can be held. If all reviewers do not certify the manuscript is acceptable for defense, policy requires that the oral exam be postponed.
  • Reviewers’ Report Form Definitions
  • Reviewers’ Report Form Workflow Guide 
• Thesis/Dissertation Approval and Deposit (PhD final exam and Plan A MA): Completed by the advisor(s) no later than the last business day of the anticipated month of graduation (delays past this deadline will move a student’s graduation date back by a full month). 
  • Note: These forms should never be signed before a student has passed the final oral examination. 

Your current graduate education roles for advising and committee service can be checked by reviewing your entry in the Faculty Role List Database. Eligibility is governed by the following policies, as well as departmental governance documents:

• Graduate Advisor and Examination Committee Membership: Eligibility Requirements
• CLA Faculty with Graduate Education Responsibilities Policy

Faculty who hold appointments in multiple programs may only represent one major on examination committees. Requirements for the composition of MA and PhD committees maintained by GSSP.

• Remote exam procedures for
  • Preliminary Oral Examinations (Psychology procedure)
  • Defenses & Final Oral Exams (Psychology procedure)
  • Required Conditions and Best Practices for Remote Participation in Graduate Examinations (University policy)
• Chair instructions for
  • Master’s Final Exam Form
  • Doctoral Preliminary Oral Exam Form
  • Doctoral Final Exam Form
• Handling day-of changes and extenuating circumstances
  • Addressing Last-Minute Committee Changes
  • Recessing an Exam