Some programs, specifically doctoral and master’s degree programs without thesis or project (called Master Plan III), have established one or more degree exams to assess your mastery of subjects covered in the courses of the study program. These exams, which may be written or oral, may be repeated only once. You must report your result through this form and send it to the Registrar’s Office with a copy to the Office of Graduate Studies.

The following table summarizes the types of exam required in the various graduate programs:

Master's Programs

ProgramExam NameWhen should it be taken?Purpose
Business Administration (M.B.A., Plans II and III)Business Administration (MBA, Plans II and III)Once you complete the courses of the curriculum. It is offered twice a year, in April and November.Final exam of degree.
Marine Sciences (M.S., Plan I)Oral examOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum.Final Degree Exam.
Education in English (M.A.E.E., Plan III)ComprehensiveOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum.Final exam of degree.
Hispanic Studies (M.A., Plan I)Qualification ExamOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum. It is offered twice a year, in March and October.Final exam of degree.
Civil Engineering, (M.E., Plan III)ComprehensiveOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum or at the end of the semester in which you will complete them.Final exam of degree.
Mathematics (M.S., all Plans)Qualification ExamAfter his first year.Graduation Requirement
Mathematics (M.S., Plan III)ComprehensiveOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum.Final exam of degree.

PhD programs

ProgramExam NameWhen should it be taken?Purpose
Information and Computer Science and EngineeringQualification ExamDetermine your ability in your core courses.
Information and Computer Science and EngineeringCandidacyDefense of the proposal.
Marine SciencesQualification ExamBefore the end of the second semester of studies.Determine if the student qualifies for the Doctor degree.
Marine SciencesComprehensiveBefore the end of the third semester of studies.Define the student as a candidate for the degree of Doctor.
Civil EngineeringQualification ExamNo later than the beginning of his second year of studies. Every student must take the qualifying exam regardless of whether they have a master's degree or not in civil engineering.Determine if the student qualifies for the Doctor degree.
Civil EngineeringComprehensiveOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum. The comprehensive includes a defense of the research proposal.Define the student as a candidate for the degree of Doctor.
Mechanical EngineeringQualification ExamAt the beginning of the second semester of the student.Determine if the student qualifies for the Doctor degree.
Mechanical EngineeringComprehensiveIt must be taken during the fourth semester for students with masters and the sixth semester for students entering with a baccalaureate.Final exam of degree.
Chemical engineeringQualification ExamSecond semester of the first year of studies.Determine if the student qualifies for the Doctor degree.
Chemical engineeringProposal DefenseOnce you complete the courses of the curriculum.Defense of the proposal.
Applied ChemistryQualification ExamDetermine your capacity in core courses.
Applied ChemistryCandidacy ExamDetermine if the student qualifies for the Doctor degree.