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Comprehensive Examination Guidelines

APPLICATION

All candidates must apply for the comprehensive exam in the first month of the semester they wish to take comprehensive exams.

Candidates for comprehensive exams must have all requirements or are in the process of completing coursework prior to taking comprehensive exams. Late applications will not be processed until the next semester.

Apply for the PE Comprehensive Examination here.

ADMINISTRATION

Comprehensive exams consist of 3 2-hour exams given on the same day. Exams are typically essay-type questions requiring the candidate to recall information to develop an argument or solve a problem. Emphasis is placed on citing references. Two hours of the exam will be from the research core EFN 736 and ESS 752; two hours of exam will be from the pedagogy core ESS 737, 759, 771; and two hours of the exam will be from the electives. Candidates are responsible for ALL material presented in their plan of study.

EVALUATION

Each question is rated from 1-4 by a panel of experts. A rating of 2 is passing. A total average of 2 or higher is required to pass comprehensive exams. The chair and associate dean are notified and a letter is sent to each candidate within a month of the exam date. In the event a student fails the exam, the candidate will be allowed to retake the exams on the next scheduled date. After two unsuccessful attempts students will be dropped from the program or provided the opportunity to write a thesis if an advisor is available.

Exam questions will vary from semester to semester. The candidate will not be informed of what the questions will be before the exam. Comprehensive exams require the candidate be responsible for ALL the material in their plan of study.