Advancing to Candidacy

Students enrolled in ECON 998 dissertation research proposal credits should be working with their dissertation advisor and committee toward creating a written dissertation research proposal* to be formally presented to them for approval.  Students may be approved to advance to candidacy after their successful defense of the dissertation proposal to the committee.  

*ORIA Requirements: If your research involves human subjects, you must obtain written approval from the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) prior to conducting a research project involving human subjects which requires compliance to federal and other relevant regulations. ORIA is responsible for Mason’s program for promoting excellence in all aspects of research with humans.  A fundamental principle of ORIA’s program is that all research with human subjects must be reviewed prior to a project’s initiation.

Advancement to Candidacy is the formal step doctoral students complete when they move from the development of their research proposal work in ECON 998 and focus their remaining time in the program on their dissertation research through enrollment in ECON 999 Dissertation Research credits.  

Requirements to advance:

As described in the University Catalog policy AP.6.10, advancement to candidacy implies that a doctoral student has demonstrated both a breadth and a depth of knowledge in the field of study and is capable of exploring problems on the boundaries of knowledge, and has identified a research area that is likely to lead to a successful dissertation.

To advance to candidacy, students must:

  • complete all course work required on their approved program of study
  • pass both qualifying exams
  • pass two field exams
  • have a dissertation proposal approved by a dissertation committee. 

Doctoral students must advance to candidacy within six years of admission** to the doctoral program.

**How to Request an Extension of Timelimit

Scheduling your dissertation proposal: 

Students should plan to present their proposal to the committee during the semester before they intend to enroll in ECON 999. It is recommended that this process take place in the Fall or Spring semesters versus winter break or summer session as faculty members may be unavailable during those periods, making meeting coordination difficult. 

Processing the Advancement to Candidacy:

The Economics Graduate Studies Office works with students scheduling their proposals and begins to prepare required documentation for the advancement process, including the proposal approval signature sheet to be signed by all committee members, the Director of Graduate Programs, and the Department Chair. The signature sheet and a request from the Director of Graduate Programs to establish the formal appointment of the dissertation committee are submitted for the CHSS Dean's approval along with the packet of advancement documents. 

The CHSS Dean's Office notifies doctoral students of their approved advancement to candidacy and their committee appointment. The Registrar's Office completes the final approval and processing to update the student's advancement status in the Mason Degree Audit. Once the advancement status is processed, students may email econgrad@gmu.edu for their ECON 999 course registration number and register for credits.

Last updated 03/01/2026