An External Examiner must be selected and approved by the TRAC and the Dean. The purpose of the External examiner is to represent the academic community at large in upholding the standards of the PhD degree. Therefore, the External Examiner must:

1. Hold a doctoral degree
2. Be currently engaged in research in the field
3. Be primarily appointed as a faculty member at a PhD-granting institution or appointed at a government or other non-profit institution with a secondary appointment at a PhD-granting institution. 

Co-authorships and Conflict of Interest exclusions

1. The DEC may consist of no more than two members who are current or intended future co-authors with the student.
2. Neither the DEC Chair nor the External Examiner can be a current or intended future co-author with the student regardless of whether the coauthored work is related to the dissertation.
3. No DEC member can be the current or former spouse or a relative of the student or the dissertation advisor. 
4. Post-qualifying students who move to a different institution with their advisors may not choose a DEC member who is affiliated with the new institution.