The Education comprehensive examination is a three-hour written examination that includes one question from each of the following areas: Educational Research; (the research question may incorporate information from the field of statistics); Philosophy of Education; and Standards and Curriculum.
Students should be able to support their responses with bibliographical references to authorities in their specialty fields (Social Studies Education, English Education, etc...). The question from each of the above-mentioned areas may include more than one part. The questions will be Essay Identification Problems with call for the application of knowledge
*** Any two of the three examination questions must be answered satisfactorily for a student to pass the examination.
Assuming the above pre-requisites and application requirements are met, the advisor will recommend to the Dean of the Graduate School that the student be permitted to take the comprehensive examination; the Dean of the Graduate School will inform the student by mail as to whether she/he has been approved for the examination and provide a form for admission to the test.
If the student fails to pass the examination, one reexamination is permitted, but not within the same semester. The comprehensive examination is offered in the fall and spring semesters and during the summer session. Although a student may elect to write a thesis in lieu of six credit hours of course work, she/he is required to take the comprehensive examination.
Suggestions For Preparation
The following are some suggestions for preparing for the comprehensive examination:
Keep your notes, handouts, and textbooks from the core courses (Educational Research, Statistics, Philosophy of Education, and Curriculum and Instruction). In addition there is a collection of books on education research in the reserve room of Falvey Library.
Begin studying early. This may help you identify areas where you may have questions.
If you need help, consult your advisor, the professors who taught you in the core courses, or any member of the Education faculty.
It is best to sign up for the comprehensive examination as early as possible. This usually means completing the sign up process by the beginning of the semester in which the student intends to take the exam.
