Comprehensive Exam Information

College Graduate Comprehensive Examination application examination dates and deadlines are as follows:

Comprehensive Exam Forms (these forms are also available on the “Forms Center” under Graduate Forms)

• Comprehensive Exam Application (Rev. 12/04/06)  
• ADA Accommodation Request for Comprehensive Exam (NEW 12/04/06)  
• Off-site Proctor/Alt. Date Request for Comprehensive Exam (NEW 12/04/06)     
• Letter of Responsibility for Comprehensive Exam (Rev. 12/04/06)   

 

Study Guides (PDF format):

• Career Counseling
• MA in Criminal Justice
• Health Administration
  • Questions Pool
  • Study Guide
• Human Resource

For students in 2005 and prior catalog years

• Question Pool A
• Study Guide A
  
For students in 2006 and forward catalog years

• Question Pool B
• Study Guide B
• MA in Education
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology
• Special Education

 

General Information Regarding the Comprehensive Exams:

1. Master's degree candidates must pass a comprehensive examination if required by the specific degree program. Students must be admitted to and active in the degree program.
2. Successful completion of coursework does not alone assure the candidate of passing the comprehensive examination. This examination demonstrates the independent ability of the student to synthesize and present adequate and appropriate knowledge without the focus of a course content outline or an instructor's prompting. The student must show the ability to cogently apply theory to a variety of situations and applications. Program faculty and advisors do not "tutor" students regarding specific questions on the examination either prior to or following the exam.
3. Students must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 "B" and must meet specific program eligibility requirements to take the comprehensive examination. Each program has specific eligibility requirements which must be fulfilled prior to the date of the examination. Please consult the appropriate section of the catalog.
4. An application form must be submitted and a fee paid by the student to take or repeat a comprehensive examination. In addition, if the examination is not taken on the date for which the student applied, a new application must be submitted. Applications must be received by the campus before or on the posted deadline date. The comprehensive examination may be repeated at the next offering, subject to additional conditions the degree program may impose.
5. The comprehensive examination is administered in a controlled setting providing equity for all students. If the student has a demonstrated disability which inhibits performance on this controlled exam, the student must make arrangements for the appropriate accommodation when registering for the exam by completing the ADA Accommodations Request. Specific documentation of the disability will be reviewed by the Director of the Center for Academic Success who will recommend appropriate accommodations to the Dean/Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, who will render the final decision.
6. The comprehensive examination is a summative evaluation. Unlike regular coursework and formative assessments taken during completion of the degree, it is designed to be an integrative, independent endpoint assessment of the students' cumulative knowledge. Comprehensive examinations are evaluated in a controlled setting with double-blind anonymity. Students receive a PASS/FAIL grade with generic feedback regarding the adequacy of the responses.
7. Comprehensive exam results are final and cannot be appealed. Students have multiple opportunities to take the examination within the seven-year period in which all degree requirements must be completed. After the second failure, specific preparation requirements may be specified, such as auditing or repeating coursework.

 

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