Comprehensive Exam

During their second year in the graduate program, students in good academic standing take a comprehensive exam. The comprehensive examination is a two-part process consisting of a written research report and an oral defense of the report, which typically occurs during a student’s fourth semester in residence. The comprehensive exam is administered by your four-member Graduate Advisory Committee. The Research Report must be submitted prior to five weeks before the last day of classes in the semester during which the examination is to be taken (or, for a spring semester examination, by the last Friday prior to spring break, whichever is earlier). Expectations for the Research Report are found in the Guidelines for Graduate Study.

Rubrics for the Comprehensive Exam ( pdf | doc )

Upon passing the Oral Examination, a student can be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy if the proper paperwork and requirements are completed.