Ph.D. Qual Eligibility
Since the Qualifying Exam is a University requirement, it can be taken only with the approval of, and at a time approved by, the Graduate Division. Here are the eligibility requirements for the exam:
- You must be registered for the semester in which the exam is taken (it may be taken during the summer or winter breaks if you paid fees for the semester immediately preceding the exam or you will pay fees for the semester immediately following the exam).
- You must have completed at least one semester of academic residence at Berkeley.
- You must have passed the Preliminary oral exam and met the breadth course requirements.
- You must have a GPA of at least 3.5 in your major subject area, at least 3.0 in each of your minor areas (298 and 299 not included), and have no more than 2 Incomplete (I) grades. As of November 2018, the Faculty Head Graduate Advisors have determined that the GPA threshold for the major may be rounded to two digits, but this still must be greater than or equal to 3.5.
You must also complete the EECS and Graduate Division applications and your white card at least 30 days before your exam and submit them to your Staff Graduate Advisor.