Comprehensive Exams
History of Education Specialization

All Ph.D. students and all Ed.D. students who began their program after July 1, 1992 are required to take a comprehensive examination. There will be two forms of the examination, one for the Ed.D. and one for the Ph.D. The following regulations for the comprehensive examination will apply from July, 1995.

In the History doctoral programs, the comprehensive examination covers both (a) historiographical issues and (b) substantive issues in the anticipated field of thesis research. The committee sets questions, after an appropriate process of consultation with the student, and the student provides written answers to three questions, at least one of which is historiographical in nature.

GENERAL

 

1. The purpose of the examination is in part to determine the student’s preparedness to write a thesis. Accordingly, the comprehensive examination committee consists of two faculty members who are likely to become members of the thesis committee. At least one of these must be a member of the Department. Mutual agreement of faculty members and student is required to form a committee. Forms for the establishment of the committee can be obtained from the department Academic Liaison Officer and after completion must be filed in the Department.
2. Ideally, the committee will be established before the beginning of the final year of required residence and the examination completed early, leaving as much time as possible to work on the thesis. The committee and the student jointly determine items to be included on a comprehensive reading list of books and articles.
3. The examination may be either an open-book examination or a take-home examination to be returned to the committee normally within one week. The choice of option is made by the student.
4. The committee may initially make one of three decisions about the student’s performance:
   
   a) that performance is satisfactory, in which case the student may continue in the program;
   b) that the student be required to engage in a two hour oral examination which is based primarily on the written answers but which may include other questions, of a relatively general nature, on the field. The outcome of (b) may be either (a) or (c);
   c) that performance is unsatisfactory, in which case the student must rewrite the examination within two months. In unusual circumstances an extension of up to two further months may be granted.
   
   In the event of unsatisfactory performance on the first examination, the committee must provide a written statement of reasons for the judgement as guidance for preparation for the re-examination.
   
   
5. A second judgement of unsatisfactory performance results in the termination of candidacy.
6. The student may appeal the time-lines in extenuating circumstances and may petition for change in committee membership (but only prior to the first examination).