The UF Graduate School’s current physical presence policy regarding graduate examinations notes that the availability of high quality audio and video communications over the internet has made it possible for such examinations to be held virtually. This document constitutes the department-specific policy adopted by the graduate faculty of the UF Department of Philosophy regarding the physical presence requirements for the graduate exams conducted by committee in its graduate programs.
There are three kinds of exams covered by this policy: (a) the final oral exam for the MA degree, (b) the qualifying exam (dissertation proposal defense) for the PhD, and (c) the final exam (dissertation defense) for the PhD. For the MA exam, the relevant parties are the student and members of the graduate committee or their designees. For the PhD exams, the relevant parties are the student and members of his or her supervisory committee.
The default expectation is that these examinations will be conducted in person. However, any of these examinations may be conducted virtually provided that a request is submitted to and approved by the Graduate Coordinator. The request may come from the student to be examined or any member of the examining committee; it must be submitted at least three weeks in advance of the scheduled exam and accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for the request. Acceptable reasons include (but are not limited to) logistical inconvenience on the part of the student or any of the examiners due to other commitments, illness, disability, or attendance at academic events outside of Gainesville. After receiving the request, the Graduate Coordinator may consult with the Graduate Studies Committee before rendering a decision. His or her decision will be reported to the student, the Graduate Studies Committee, and members of the examining committee.
Requests are to be made and decisions are to be reported via email using sender’s and recipients’ UF addresses so as to document the request and decision.