Master's Comprehensive Examinations

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS FOR THE M.Ed., M.P.A., AND M.S. NON‑THESIS DEGREES

Candidates for the Master of Education degree are required to pass comprehensive examinations covering the professional field of Education and the general field of major study, including minor courses and supportive areas.

Candidates for the M.A.Ed. and M.Ed., M.P.A. and M.S. non‑thesis degrees are required to take a comprehensive examination in the general field of major study and supportive fields. The examinations are designed to test the student’s ability to apply principles, as well as the student’s skill in demonstrating sound scholastic and composition capabilities. It is therefore, recommended that students remain current with the literature both in education and/or the field of major interest.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS: M.Ed., M.P.A., M.A.Ed., and M.S. NON‑THESIS

  1. Students must file an application with their advisors and their department heads on a form (provided by the Graduate School) and no later than the date published by the Graduate School. (Applications must be accompanied by documentation of a Program of Study approved by the Graduate School.)
  2. The Dean of the Graduate School will establish the date for the examination. Candidates will be notified of the time and place two weeks before the examination is administered.
  3. Examinations are administered three times during the school term: October, March, and June. It is the responsibility of the student to familiarize himself or herself with the Graduate School Calendar, which is published in the Graduate Catalog.
  4. The examination shall be administered during the semester of graduation (Exceptions must be approved by Department Head). It shall cover work prescribed by the student’s program and will include at least (a. M.Ed. only; b. all degrees).
    1. An Examination in Professional Education: Historical, Philosophical, or Social Foundations of Education, Educational Research, Curriculum, Educational Psychology; Evaluation; and Statistics. This portion of the test will be prepared by a committee from the College of Education and chaired by the Dean.
    2. An Examination in the Student’s Major Concentration: In addition to the major concentration, the examination may include an assessment of knowledge in supportive fields. A committee appointed by the Department Head would prepare this portion of the Comprehensive Examinations. It shall be scheduled for a period not to exceed three hours.
  5. The Comprehensive Examinations will be written, but where very unusual circumstances require it, the examination may be oral, or written and oral, if recommended by the Advisory committee and approved by the Department Head, and the Dean of the School/College/Institute. (The Office of Disabled Student Services must approve requests for special accommodations.)
  6. Grades for the examinations will be filed in the School Office and in the Graduate School Office. The Graduate School will immediately inform the students of the results upon receipt of the grades from the School/College/Institute Dean.
  7. In the event that a student fails to pass the first examination, it may be recommended that the candidate be permitted to prepare for re‑rk, or both. Thus, the credit hours may be extended to accommodate the recommendation of the Advisor/Department Head.
  8. A second failure by a candidate will require further prescribed study before re­-examination is permitted.
  9. A third failure by any candidate shall result in the student’s dismissal from Graduate School.
  10. Candidates must present, upon arrival at the testing site, a Photo ID and a Letter of Approval (from the Graduate School) to take the Comprehensive Examination.





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