Comprehensive examinations, theses, and dissertations

M.A. students can choose either a thesis option or non-thesis option to complete the requirements for their degree. Students selecting the non-thesis track must pass a written comprehensive examination. M.A. students opting to write a thesis must pass an oral defense of their thesis.

Ph.D. students must pass a written and an oral comprehensive examination prior to beginning their dissertation. The written examination transpires over two days and lasts six hours per day. The oral exam lasts approximately two hours.

The M.A. and Ph.D. comprehensive examinations may not be scheduled before students have completed all core, methodology, and language requirements, nor may the M.A. or Ph.D. comprehensive examination be scheduled prior to the last semester in which regular course work is taken. M.A. and Ph.D. examinations are scheduled twice a year, the Ph.D. at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters and the M.A. in mid-Fall and mid-Spring. If M.A. or Ph. D. students fail the written comprehensive examination on the first attempt, they may retake the written comprehensive examination only once, no earlier than one semester later.

Note: Ph.D. students can only advance to the oral part of the comprehensive examination after passing the written portion.

In order to schedule comprehensive examinations, all M.A. and Ph.D. students must request permission first by submitting Form 23 for M.A. students and Form 15 for Ph.D. students at least one month prior to the testing dates.

M.A. Comprehensive Examination

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

Ph.D. Dissertation Guidelines