University of North Texas 
All IS PhD Program students must meet the research proficiency requirements. These requirements must be met no more than five (5) years before the IS PhD Program Office submits your degree plan to the Toulouse Graduate School for approval. If you believe that you have already met these requirements, please contact the IS PhD Program Office immediately for a degree plan review.
Research Tool
Students must demonstrate proficiency in research methods or statistics prior to or shortly after beginning doctoral course work. This requirement can be met by successfully completing EPSY 5210, COMM 5320, DSCI 5180, or INFO 5080 or an equivalent course or by passing a proficiency exam. A course accepted for this requirement cannot count toward the 60 hours (or 72 hours if student does not have masters degree) required for the doctoral degree.
The requirement must be met no more than five (5) years before the IS PhD Program Office submits your degree plan to the Toulouse Graduate School for approval. If you believe that you have already met these requirements, please contact the IS PhD Program Office immediately for a degree plan review.
Proficiency Exam
IS PhD Program Office may determine that you are eligible to take the IS PhD proficiency exam in order to by-pass taking a class to fulfill the prerequisite requirement.
Exam Format
The exam is multiple-choice format. It is accessible online, so you may take them from any location with Internet access. The exam is open book, meaning that you may consult relevant materials in any format. The exam is graded on a pass/nonpass basis.
Policy Agreement
Exam takers are bound by specific academic dishonesty and exam nondisclosure policies. Before being given access to an exam, you must sign and return a student policy agreement. This form certifies that you have read, understand, and will abide by the policies. The signed form will be placed in your student file.
Scheduling the Exam
You will have 24 hours to complete an exam, beginning on a day of your choice that is also convenient for the PhD Office. If you take both exams, you may not have access to both simultaneously.
Please email the following information for each exam to Nichole.Tyler@unt.edu and Oksana.Zavalina@unt.edu
- Your EUID (your initials + 4 digits; required for access to exam)
- Your preferred start date and time (time ends after 24 hours)
- Email and phone where you will be available before/during exam
Exam Preparation
This is an introductory-level proficiency exam, so you should already have sufficient knowledge to pass them, and they are open book with ample time allowed for completion. They should require little or no preparation or study.
Taking the Exam
IS PhD Program Office staff will grant access to the UNT course management system site at your requested exam start date and time (given staff availability) after receiving your signed policy agreement.
Exam Results
You will be notified of the results as soon as possible. If you do not pass a proficiency exam on your first (and only) attempt, you must successfully complete an appropriate course.