The comprehensive examination is taken after the student has satisfactorily completed all the course work requirements in the approved plan of study filed by the student. To initiate the exam process, the student meets with the supervisory committee to prepare a memorandum to be forwarded to the Associate Dean requesting the comprehensive examination and the appointment of an examination committee. The examination committee consists of the doctoral supervisory committee plus any outside examiners considered appropriate. The requesting memorandum lists all courses taken by the student that form the plan of study for the Ph.D. The memorandum should also propose a date or dates for the comprehensive examination. This examination is based on all the coursework taken by the student, and consists of:

• An oral examination
• A written examination of up to 8 hours in length, to be taken at a designated place on campus

The examining committee determines the specific details of the exam.

The objective of the comprehensive examination is to allow the examining committee to assess the student's readiness to complete doctoral research in an area of concentration. The result of the comprehensive examination is a grade of pass or fail with recommendations for removing any deficiencies.

If a student fails the comprehensive exam, the student may request a re-examination within 60 days of receiving notice of the exam result. The request should be made in writing to the Associate Dean. The student may request a new exam in a different format, but the request must comply with the rules specified above. The examining committee will decide on the format of the new exam, but the decision may be appealed in writing to the Associate Dean. If the student fails the re-examination, or does not request a re-examination within 60 days, the student will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program.