Admission to candidacy is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the faculty responsible for the student's program, after the student has fulfilled the residency requirement for the doctoral degree, passed the preliminary examination, and met the research tool requirement of the program. The doctoral degree may not be conferred less than six months after admission to candidacy, except upon approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.  The candidate must fulfill all requirements for the degree within a five-year period after admission to candidacy.  If completion of requirements is delayed beyond five years, a student may be required to take another preliminary examination and be admitted to candidacy a second time.  All candidates must remain registered until completion of their degree.