The intent of the comprehensive examination process is to allow a student to demonstrate mastery of subject matter and research skills within the content and related emphasis areas specified in the Program of Study Planning Document. The examination cannot be waived, but it can be tailored to the needs of individual students.
Students must successfully complete their comprehensive examination to be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Students typically take the comprehensive examination upon or near completion of the academic coursework requirements for their program. This typically occurs prior to initiating work on a dissertation project, although a student may begin some dissertation work prior to completing the comprehensive examination if so, approved by the Supervisory Committee.
In all cases, the student works with their Supervisory Committee Chair to specify in writing a plan for the comprehensive examination and has it approved by the Supervisory Committee before initiation of the process.
The members of a Supervisory Committee will read and evaluate a student’s written comprehensive examination products. A student must PASS all parts of the written comprehensive exam to be admitted to candidacy. An oral examination is not required as part of the comprehensive examination process; however, if the student does not complete the written examination successfully, the Committee can choose to administer an oral examination limited to the specific portion of the written examination not successfully completed. Alternately, the Committee can require the student to revise and/or rewrite the failed portion(s) of the examination. The earliest a second oral or written comprehensive examination opportunity will occur is the academic term or summer following the failed attempt. Failure to pass on the second attempt results in automatic review of the student's performance with the possibility of program termination.
Exam Process for Ph.D. Students
Whether students are earning a Ph.D. in Educational Studies with an emphasis in Special Education or a PhD in Human Sciences with an emphasis in Communication Disorders, they will complete a conventional on-campus or take-home written examination. Exam questions should be designed by the Supervisory Committee to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research during the dissertation and upon graduation. A student's responses to examination questions must provide evidence of proficiency in specific content areas and evidence of the integration of information across multiple areas. The Supervisory Committee should work with the student to establish an appropriate timeline. Students may be provided with all exam questions at once or sequentially (presumably with shorter deadlines for each) at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee.