Preamble

The department administers the Comprehensive Examination in the fall and spring semesters. We schedule the examination as listed in the Graduate Calendar.

Forms and Important Links

●    Graduate Calendar
●    Graduate Studies Office Policy and Graduate Studies Office Comps Application Form
●    Departmental Application Form

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Register for the Comprehensive Examination

Register for the examination by the deadline listed in the Graduate Calendar either in person at our departmental office or submit this completed formto the departmental secretary. You also need to file this form with our department.

Note: You must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 to be eligible to sit for the Comprehensive Examination.

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Form a Comprehensive Examination Board

Choose three examination areas on which you will be examined. Two of the three areas may be in Systematic Theology.

Well in advance of the examination - we recommend during the semester preceding the examination - form a Comprehensive Examination Board of three members of the graduate faculty, one from each of your chosen areas for examination. Request that one faculty serve as Chair of your Comprehensive Examination Board.

Note: The Chair is responsible, among others, for arranging the formulation of the integrative question for the second day of the comprehensive examination and time and place of the 1-hour oral examination.

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Formulate the Content of the Comprehensive Examination

Meet with each member of your Board well in advance of the examination to formulate a mutually agreed upon written statement of at least two clearly defined, area-specific fields of competency from which the faculty member will construct two questions for the first day of the written Comprehensive Examination.

Each board member will help you in defining appropriate fields of competency. However, responsibility for constructing specific questions rests solely with the members of your examination boards. That is, faculty members will not share the wording of the two questions with you before the examination.

Compile into one document (email) the three mutually agreed upon written statements of areas of competency on which you will be tested.

Distribute a copy of the compiled information to each Comprehensive Examination Board member at least two weeks before the scheduled examination and to the Departmental Secretary (for inclusion in your permanent file).

Note: The Board meets separately to formulate the integrative question for the second day of the Comprehensive Examination.

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Prepare for the Comprehensive Examination

The two written examinations are usually scheduled Monday through Wednesday of one week, and oral examinations on Friday of the same week through Wednesday of the following week. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the Comprehensive Examination at the announced location.

Bring academic material approved in advance and in writing by the faculty members on your board (primary texts or other sources).

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Take the Comprehensive Examination

Day One	(3 hours, written)	Answer one question from each of the three examination areas (for a total of three answered questions).
Day Two	(3 hours, written)	Answer the integrative question.
Day Three	(1 hour, oral)	Answer questions on your written answers or on other topics from your area-specific fields of competency.
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Grade and Appeal

Comprehensive Examinations are graded pass/fail. You may appeal your grade to the Graduate Program Director unless the Director also serves on your Comprehensive Examination Committee. In that case, the department Chairperson or his/her representative evaluates the appeal.

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