| Degree Option | Comprehensive Written Examination (Admission to Candidacy) | Final Examination | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Written |
Oral |
||
|
M.S. without thesis |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
M.S. with thesis |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Ph.D. |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
All masters and doctoral students are required to take a final examination at the end of their program. Masters students who enroll in a thesis option will take an oral examination, often referred to as a thesis defense. Students in a non-thesis option will take a final written examination. Doctoral students will take an oral examination in defense of their dissertation.
Doctoral students must pass a written Comprehensive Examination after completing most or all of their course work in order to be admitted to Candidacy. The Comprehensive Examination is not a repetition of course examinations, but is an investigation of the student’s breadth of understanding of their chosen field. The Comprehensive Examination is administered and graded by the student's Supervisory Committee. After successful completion, the Supervisory Committee will recommend to the Office of Graduate Studies the student's admission to Candidacy by signing the Application for Admission to Candidacy for the doctoral degree, noting the date of completion. Students are responsible for gathering signatures and submitting to the Graduate Program Chair. The application must be filed at least seven months prior to the final oral examination.
Following admission to Candidacy, the student must register for at least one credit hour during each academic-year semester until he/she receives the doctoral degree, even if the student has already met the total dissertation hours on their approved program of study. Failure to register during each academic-year semester will result in termination of the program of study.