PhD Comprehensive Exam

Each PhD student is required to take a comprehensive examination to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the discipline and carry out the proposed research program.  The comprehensive examination may be taken when

• the student has completed an adequate amount of coursework as determined by the advisor, the Klipsch School, and the Graduate School,
• the student has already successfully passed the Qualifying Examination,
• when the proper forms have been filed with the Graduate School at least 10 working days prior to the examination.

The PhD Qualifying Exam format is determined by agreement between the student and the advisor.  The examination must be both part written and part oral.  The Klipsch School allows two general formats for the Comprehensive Examination: problem-oriented examination and an extensive dissertation proposal examination. 

In the problem-oriented examination, the committee members prepare written problems for the student work.  The committee and advisor will determine to what extent external aids may be used during the written examination.  After the written examination, the committee grades the written examination. The oral examination covers the written examination, any deficiencies found there, and a brief presentation on the proposed dissertation topic.

The extensive dissertation proposal examination is conducted by the student preparing a formal proposal for the dissertation, including background research, and a full discussion of the proposed methodology of conducting the dissertation.  A suggested outline is contained in the proposal outline. This is basically the first three chapters of the proposed dissertation.

After the Comprehensive Examination, the committee may direct the student to take additional coursework if the student shows that the preparation is inadequate for the proposed research topic.

Upon successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination, the student becomes a Doctoral Candidate in the program.  The student must enroll in at least an additional 9 credit hours of Doctoral Dissertation after completing the Comprehensive Examination and before taking the final examination.

Once the student has successfully completed the Comprehensive Examination, there is a five-year window in which the PhD Dissertation must be completed and defended.  If this is not successfully done, another Comprehensive Examination is required before the student may apply to take the final examination (dissertation defense).