Completing the required courses for the program does not automatically admit a student to candidacy for the degree. Each student must complete the Application for Admission to Candidacy form (available in the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination packet from the Department Office or the Graduate School Office). This application for candidacy must be completed, reviewed and signed by the Program Director (Raul Torres) and the Department Administrator and approved by the Graduate School prior to scheduling of the Comprehensive Examination. This application requires a clear listing of the courses completed and that fulfill the 30 semester hour requirement (see below).

Once the Graduate School approves candidacy, the student will be sent notification by mail at the address the student lists on the Application. If the completed form is received in the departmental office 3 weeks prior to the exam, the staff will make sure that it is properly reviewed, signed and submitted to the graduate school. To apply for candidacy, students must have completed, or be currently registered to complete, 30 semester hours of course work.  For Immunology Program students, this means that an application to candidacy can only be submitted after registering for the Spring semester Special Topics courses (IMMU 7602, 7603, 7604, and MICRO 7704). Again, a student should have completed all required courses prior to admission to candidacy.

Please refer to the Graduate School Handbook for specific details for application to candidacy.