(a) Advancement to Candidacy. For advancement to candidacy for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, the student shall have achieved classified graduate standing and met such particular requirements as the chancellor and appropriate campus authority may prescribe. The requirements shall include a qualifying examination or other qualifying doctoral assessment.

(b) To be eligible for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, the candidate shall have completed a program of study that includes both a qualifying examination or other qualifying assessment and a doctoral project that is consistent with the specifications in section 40515 and that is approved by the appropriate campus authority. A grade point average of 3.0 (grade of B) or better shall have been earned in courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the degree, except that a course in which no letter grade is assigned shall not be used in computing the grade point average.

(c) The student shall have completed all requirements for the degree within five years of achieving classified standing in the doctoral program. The appropriate campus authority may extend the time for completion of the requirements if: