Graduation Requirements
The comprehensive examination is administered during each student’s final term of course work. For students following the thesis plan, the examination is oral and focuses primarily on a defense of the thesis or applied project, but may also cover the planned program.
For a student electing the non-thesis plan, the examination - which comprises both written and oral elements - covers content from both the required core courses and the individually planned program. The written examination is composed of two sections. One section focuses on communication theory and research methodology, and the student must successfully answer one item on theory and one on research. The other section of the written examination focuses on the individual program of study. The student must respond successfully to two items from this section, in which a choice is offered among items prepared by the individual’s advisory committee. The oral component then provides a supplemental assessment of the student’s performance on the written portion of the examination.
Review the graduation policy for more information.
