Comprehensive Area Exam Process

 

 

A comprehensive examination will be given on a required list of readings constructed by the candidate and a committee of examiners.

Ph.D. students will write just a single exam, focused on a reading list related to the dissertation topic. The student and three exam committee members will jointly construct this list. The idea is not simply to anticipate the dissertation's bibliography, but to familiarize the student comprehensively with a good deal of the philosophical material surrounding his/her dissertation topic. When the Dissertation Committee and the student finalize the reading list for the qualifying exam, the format of the exam (for example, whether the exam will be held in a room in the department or will be taken home) will be determined at that time.

 

A copy of the Comprehensive Area Examination Reading List will be given to the Graduate Program Specialist at the time it is finalized and will be placed in the student's department file.

 

A copy of the list of questions for the Comprehensive Area Examination will be given to the Graduate Program Specialist prior to or at the time of examination and will be placed in the student's department file.

 

If assistance is needed administering the exam, then the Major Professor will contact the
Graduate Program Specialist to schedule the exam.

 

A copy of the Comprehensive Area Examination written by the student will be given to the Graduate Program Specialist at the time it is submitted for grading and will be placed in the student's department file.

 

When a candidate passes the Comprehensive Area Exam, the Major Professor will notify the student and will notify the Graduate Program Specialist in writing.