Jump to Main Content
Jump to Top Navigation
Jump to Page Navigation
Jump to Footer Navigation
University of Washington

University of Washington Information School

  • Programs
    • Informatics Undergraduate major and minor
    • MLIS Master of Library and Information Science
    • MSIM Master of Science in Information Management
    • Museology Master of Arts
    • Ph.D. Doctorate Program
    • Professional & Cont. Ed. Related programs & non-degree options
  • Research
    • Updates The latest news from our faculty and research staff
    • Research Areas Core topics of iSchool research
    • Research Groups Hubs for innovative scholarship & research
    • Grants & Awards Recent funding for iSchool research projects
    • Research Events Guest lectures and our Research Fair showcase
  • News & Events
    • News The latest stories from our community
    • Events What's happening on campus and beyond
    • Podcast Documents That Changed the World, with Joe Janes
  • People
    • Directory Find iSchool faculty, staff and students
    • Alumni Stay connected with the iSchool and fellow alumni
    • Advising & Support Find help from our team of student advisors
    • Faculty Affairs Making the iSchool a joyful professional community for faculty
    • I Am the iSchool Meet some of our students and alumni
  • The School
    • About Us The iSchool is home to innovators and leaders who make information work
    • Diversity We are committed to building an inclusive community
    • Employers & Partners How to collaborate with faculty and students
    • Capstone Students work with organizations to solve information problems
    • Support the iSchool Every gift makes a difference to students
Request Information
Information Tools
Search Menu
banner image

Doctorate in Information Science

  • Informatics
  • MLIS
  • MSIM
  • Museology
  • Ph.D.
    • Academics
      • Course Websites
      • Course Schedules
      • Special Topics & New Courses
      • Degree Requirements
      • Practica
      • General Exam
        • General Exam Policy
      • Proposal Defense
      • Dissertation Process
      • Degree Planning
      • Online Learning
    • Admissions
    • Committees
    • Scholarships & Funding
    • People
  • Professional & Cont. Ed.

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
  • Request more information

General Exam

  1. Programs
  2. Ph.D.
  3. Academics
  4. General Exam

Purpose

The purpose of the general examination is to assess the breadth and depth of the student’s knowledge and critical analysis of major areas in the information field. The examination is also used to evaluate the student’s potential to complete a doctoral dissertation successfully, including the development of the student’s independent intellectual voice.

With the advice of the chair of the supervisory committee, students are encouraged to take the general examination within one year of the completion of course work, but must take it within two calendar years of the completion of that work. 

Eligibility

Students are eligible to take the general exam when they:

  • Complete the coursework and practica components of the Ph.D. program
  • Register as a graduate student for the quarter that the examination is taken and candidacy is conferred

Content

The examination includes both a written and oral component. Preparation for the examination includes the construction of reading lists for the examination, as well as reading, reflection, and discussions with colleagues and faculty members.

For the general examination, the student is required to develop a specific area of interest that is approved by the supervisory committee. The specific area of interest will be articulated in the student’s statement of interest as well as the submitted reading list. The specific area of interest will likely form the basis for the student’s dissertation.

In the general examination, the student will demonstrate an ability (1) to discuss theoretical, methodological, and technological aspects of the student’s specific area of interest and (2) to integrate and synthesize knowledge.

The general examination is to be completed by the candidate in conformance with the University of Washington’s Student Conduct Code and the Student Academic Responsibility Statement.  In brief: do not ask for or accept help on any general exam question. Those taking the general examination should refrain from sharing general examination questions or answers until after the examination is completed.

More Information

  • General exam policy and procedure
  • General Exam scheduling (through MyGrad)

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
  • Request more information

News

Students (from left) Harman Zhang, Sara Duan, Justin Dong, Noa Avitan and David Pham

Informatics team helps music streamer earn money for artists

Thursday, May 22, 2025
For a music creator, getting paid by listeners around the world should be as simple as a fan clicking “subscribe.” But for many artists in less developed countries, existing streaming platforms make that difficult or out of reach.An...
Read more
Alex Heller, Alina Weseloh and Ilias Bowen-Sicalides

MLIS team preserves a piece of radio history

Friday, May 16, 2025
From 1973 to 2011, the Evergreen Radio Reading Service served blind and print-disabled listeners across the state of Washington. Now, with its recordings stored in a fragile audio archive and at risk of permanent loss, a team of MLIS...
Read more

Events

May 28
 
4:00-5:00PM

MLIS Law Librarianship Information Session

Zoom / Online
May 29
 
5:30-6:30PM

iSchool Library Leadership Spotlight Series: Melody Sky Weaver

Virtual
May 30
 
11:30-1:15PM

Faculty Meeting

Bloedel Hall 070
Jun 2
 
12:00-1:00PM

MSIM Mid-Career Last Chance Q&A

Zoom / Online
iSchools.org
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Logo & Brand Guidelines
  • IT / Help Desk
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Make a Gift
iSchools.org
© 2025 UW Information School
Box 352840 - Mary Gates Hall, Ste. 370
Seattle, WA 98195-2840
United States of America
206-685-9937
Close menu
Toolkit
Request Information

Search:

All People
  • Programs
    • Informatics
    • MLIS
    • MSIM
    • Museology
    • Ph.D.
    • Professional & Cont. Ed.
  • Research
    • Updates
    • Research Areas
    • Research Groups
    • Grants & Awards
    • Research Events
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Podcast
  • People
    • Directory
    • Alumni
    • Advising & Support
    • Faculty Affairs
    • I Am the iSchool
  • The School
    • About Us
    • Diversity
    • Employers & Partners
    • Capstone
    • Support the iSchool

toolkit

  • iSchool Intranet
  • MyUW
  • Outlook on the web
  • Office 365
  • Workday
  • UW Time Schedule
  • UW Academic Calendar
  • iSchool Slack
  • Knowledge Base
  • Watermark
  • Azure Dev Tools
  • Zoom
  • Canvas LMS
  • Qualtrics
  • Emergency Info
  • Site Login
Loading Results...Loading search results, please wait.

Highlights

Full Results

See Full Results
See Full Directory

Customize Your Experience

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Everyone