Comprehensive Examination (Plan B)
The comprehensive examination is required of all students who select the Plan B option. The comprehensive examination covers the course work in the student's planned program. At the option of the department, the comprehensive examination may include an oral examination and/or an oral defense of the written examination.
The comprehensive examination is normally taken during the last semester of study, but may be attempted any time after the completion of at least 75% of planned program requirements. Exceptions may be granted with the recommendation of the advisor and permission of the dean, School of Graduate Studies. Students are required to have a minimum 3.00 grade point average at the time of application. Examinations are given each fall and spring semester and, at the discretion of the academic department, during the summer. Students should consult their advisors and/or department chairs concerning the availability of a summer session comprehensive examination. A Comprehensive Examination Handbook is available in the Graduate Studies Office and also on the graduate website.
To be eligible to take the examination, students must complete an application form, which is available in the Graduate Studies Office or on the graduate website. Students should submit this form to the Office of the School of Graduate Studies no later than October 1 for fall semester examinations, and no later than February 15 for spring semester examinations. The academic department will notify students concerning the time and place of the examination and will inform students of the results.
With departmental permission, students may retake the comprehensive examination. Students who do not pass the examination on a first attempt may be required to enroll in additional course work or to make other special preparations for reexamination. Students who fail the examination a second time must appeal to the dean of the School of Graduate Studies for permission to retake the examination.
If the student receives a failing grade on all or parts of the comprehensive examination for a third time, he or she will be dismissed from the graduate program by the dean, School of Graduate Studies, unless he or she is granted permission to choose another capstone option by the program's department chair and the dean, School of Graduate Studies. The student may file an appeal within two weeks of receiving the dean's dismissal letter. If denied, the student may make a final written appeal to the standing Appeals Committee of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Final results of the comprehensive exam (pass/fail) will be included on the student's graduate transcript.