Research Tools: The Graduate School requires a demonstration of competence in two research tools for the doctoral degree. Demonstration of competence requires either passing a test in the research tool area or completion of 6 semester hours in each research tool area, hours which may be included in the 90 graduate hours beyond the bachelor's degree required for the doctoral degree. The Department of Fashion and Textiles specifies that students use statistics and computer science to satisfy the research tool requirement.

Qualifying (Comprehensive) Examination: After the completion of most required courses, excluding FT 6983 and FT 6993, a qualifying examination that comprises a written comprehensive examination and an oral comprehensive examination is required of all doctoral students. The written portion of the examination may be repeated once. The oral portion of the examination follows successful completion of the written examination. The oral portion of the examination may be repeated once. After successfully completing both the written and oral portions of the qualifying examination, the student may be admitted to candidacy.

Final Examination: The final examination is an oral examination that is primarily, but not limited to, a defense of the dissertation.