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This examination is given, usually upon the candidate’s completion of course work, to determine the student’s progress in the degree field and fields related to it and the student’s likelihood of success in his/her research-dissertation phase. The examination may be written, oral, or both and is not necessarily limited to areas in which the candidate has taken course work. In addition to having written procedures for taking the comprehensive exam, departments must also have written procedures regarding providing feedback for comprehensive exams.
Program Level Examination Appeals
Appeals for Program Level Exams such as, candidacy, comprehensive, or qualifying examinations, are made to the dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) based on policy and/or procedural violations. The appeal can be based only on policy and/or procedural violations; and not simply on the outcome of the examination. Procedural violations would be cases in which the program/department failed to follow program/department and/or University policies and/or procedures relating to the administration and/or evaluation of the exam.
The appeal must be made in writing to the dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Documentation of the policy(ies)/procedures in question must be provided, along with a detailed description of the alleged violation(s). All evidence supporting the alleged violation should also be provided. The student must submit the written appeal to the dean of the SGSR within 30 days of receipt of the outcome of the examination.
Upon receipt of the written appeal to the dean of SGSR, the dean will conduct an investigation of the allegation, review the documentation and render a final decision which completes the appeal process. The final decision rendered by the dean of the SGSR may not be appealed.
If it is found that policy/and/or procedure has been violated, the dean of the SGSR will instruct the program/department to allow the student to retake the exam, fully adhering to policy and procedures. In the event of a finding in support of the student allegation, the reexamination may not be counted as one of the attempts permitted under the University or Department’s Reexamination Policy.
Reexamination Policy
No student is permitted a “third” examination without a recommendation to that effect from the degree program’s sponsoring department per their adopted written procedures and the approval of the School of Graduate Studies and Research dean (or designee). Exceptions to this policy for programs can be made only with the approval of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
In the event a student does not successfully complete the comprehensive re-examination according to program requirements and the failure results in program dismissal, the program must notify the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) of the dismissal in writing. The SGSR will send an official notification of the dismissal to the student.
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