Instructions for the Comprehensive Exam

Purposes of the Comprehensive Examination

1. To demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in the area of counseling and/or human development.
2. To demonstrate the ability to critically review literature
3. To demonstrate an understanding of research methodology.
4. To demonstrate a depth of understanding of your own research area and to situate your own area of expertise within a wider, theoretical framework.

Form of Examination
The comprehensive examination takes the form of three essays written in response to three questions related to your research area. Typical patterns for the three questions are:

The theory essay or sections demonstrate a knowledge of theory in your area and how your area is situated within wider theory in counseling and/or human development.

The research essay or sections demonstrate an understanding of the empirical research in your area and that you can distinguish what we "know" from what we believe and from what we still need to know.

The methodology essay demonstrates a knowledge of at least one research methodology relevant to your area and could include a proposal for how you would design and justify a research study in your area.

Successful completion of your comprehensive examination should put you well on the path toward writing your dissertation proposal.

Process

1. Obtain from the Warner School 's Office of Student Services or web site the instructions for forming a comprehensive examination committee. The instructions also include a form on which the examination questions are typed and which the committee members sign agreeing to serve on the committee. For Ed.D. students, at least one member must be outside of Counseling and Human Development. For Ph.D. students, at least one member must be outside the Warner School .
2. Meet with your program advisor or another faculty member with whom you have developed a relationship; discuss and clarify your area of research interest; begin to plan three questions that might be appropriate for the comprehensive exam; and discuss potential members for your comprehensive exam committee.
3. Meet with other potential members of the committee. Discuss your research interest with them. Show them the tentative questions you have come up with. Get their input or suggestions. If there seems to be compatibility, invite them to serve on the committee.
   
   The writing of the three questions, therefore, is a co-construction process between you and your committee members. The net result is three questions that fulfill the purposes of the examination and make sense to you and the committee members.
   
4. Complete the Comprehensive Examination form, have it signed by all three committee members, and submit it to the Office of Student Services.

Time Line
The Comprehensive Examination form may be filed during the semester in which you are completing the last of your academic courses (not counting internships); however, it must be filed within one year of having completed one's academic courses.

The three essays may be completed as quickly as you can; however, a complete draft of the first essay must be submitted within 3 months of filing the exam form, a complete draft of the second essay must be submitted within 6 months of filing the exam form, a complete draft of the third essay must be submitted within 9 months of filing the exam form, and the final essay for each question must be completed to the satisfaction of the reader of each question no later than one year after filing the exam form.

The expectation is that first drafts will be complete and well-executed essays. It is at the discretion of the reader as to how many re-writes are acceptable.

If a student fails to complete the examination within the deadlines stated above, he or she will be withdrawn from the program. It is at the discretion of the committee to grant, for good cause, extensions of the deadlines above, up to but not exceeding one year. Leading a busy life is not good cause for receiving an extension.

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