Comprehensive Exam Policy and Application

(Please see section on Graduate Academic Polices for all graduate programs regarding progression).

Information for the 2023-2024 Comprehensive Examination will be available in Spring 2024.

All students in the PhD program are required to take a comprehensive examination as a criterion for progression to PhD candidate status. To request to sit for the examination the following courses must have successfully completed: N790F, N790FR, N790E, N790SP, N790SR, N790SC (for students who matriculate into the program in fall 2023 or later). Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2023 must have successfully completed N700, N710, N716, N730, N775, and N820. BS-PhD students should complete any additional post-baccalaureate requirements prior to the exam.

Students who are not eligible to take the comprehensive exam (e.g. such as incomplete or non-passing grade in a required course) will have the opportunity to take the examination at the next time it is offered.

A three-person Comprehensive Exam Committee will be responsible for creating the exam and evaluation standards. The PhD Program Director and the Dean will choose committee members. The Comprehensive Exam Committee is typically composed of faculty who have recently taught the required first year courses and must include at least one faculty member who has previously participated in the generation and evaluation of the Comprehensive Exam.

Students will receive a separate grade of Pass or No Pass for each exam component.  To progress in the program, a grade of Pass must be achieved on all exam components. Students who do not receive a ‘Pass’ on any part of the exam will be provided feedback on their performance and given an opportunity to retake non-passing components of the exam. The PhD comprehensive exam committee and PhD Program Director (or their designee) will be present for the exam retake if it is offered orally. Students who do not receive a ‘Pass’ on any portion of the retake will be provided feedback on their performance and referred to the PhD Program Director. 

To request to take the PhD required comprehensive examination, please complete the Comprehensive Examination Application form.

Application to Take the Exam

1. In order to sit for the exam, the Comprehensive Examination Application Form must be submitted to the PhD Program Director 14 days prior to the exam date.
2. The grade for each of the required courses must be provided on the application.
3. If the student is currently enrolled in one of the required courses, the student must have the professor of record initials next to the grade indicating that they anticipate a passing grade.
   1. If the student does not pass the course as anticipated, they will not be allowed to sit for the exam.
   2. If a student is not eligible to take the exam (e.g. they receive an “incomplete” in a course), they will need to contact the PhD Program Director to determine when the test can be taken. 

Exam Procedures

1. The Comprehensive Exam Committee will determine the precise format and delivery methods for the exam.
2. Student may rely upon any printed documents, written notes, or books that they would like to reference during the exam. 

Exam Content

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2023, exam questions will allow students to demonstrate mastery and synthesis of 1st year course content. Faculty who have previously taught required courses from Terms 1 and 2 write the exam questions. The exam topics and questions are summarized below:

For students who matriculated in Fall 2023 or later, the nature and format of Comprehensive Exam requirements for at least 2 months prior to the exam date. Please note that requirements for PhD candidate status in the program are subject to revision and updates by the PhD Academic Matters Committee.

Grading Policies

1. Criteria and rubric will be developed for grading each question by the PhD Comprehensive Exam Committee.
2. Grading will be pass/no pass for each component.
3. Students will be notified of results in writing within three weeks of taking the exam.
4. If a “PASS” is not achieved on every component, the student will have an opportunity demonstrate their mastery of that content area during a retake.
5. For any portion of retake on which a ‘PASS” is not achieved:
   1. The student will be provided feedback on their performance.
   2. The student will be referred to the PhD Program Director and Graduate Program Director where a final decision will be made.  

Passage of every component of the Comprehensive Exam is a requirement for academic progression in the PhD Program and establishment of PhD candidate status.  

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION APPLICATION

(for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2023)

Note: This form must be completed by the student and advisor and submitted to the PhD Program Director 14 days prior to the scheduled examination time.

Student name:                                                                                                                                   

Date_________________________                     Examination date:                                     

I the table below, indicate the semester/academic year you completed the courses pre-requisite for the Comprehensive Examination.

Student Signature: _________________________________                                              

Date_________________________                                                                                     

Advisor Signature: ________________________________                                    

Date_________________________                                                                                     

PhD Program Director Signature: ___________________________                                   

Date_________________________                                                                                     

*If the student is currently in the course, the professor of record will initial if the student is currently passing the course.

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