Comprehensive Exam Information

Choosing the Comprehensive Examination

Students who choose this option complete 36 credits of coursework as outlined in the respective plan.

Master of Arts Comprehensive Examination (THE6100)

Exam questions for Master of Arts in Theological Studies include ten questions, of which the student must answer five. The questions will come from five courses, representative of the student’s program, two from each course.

Master of Science Comprehensive Examination (EDU6100)

The comprehensive examination is a five-hour written exam consisting of nine questions, of which the student must select five to answer on the exam day. Exam questions are as follows:

• • Question 1 REQUIRED. Master’s Core – Reflects educational research (EDU5005) and educational issues (EDU5001).

• • Questions 2 & 3 CHOOSE ONE. Master’s Core or Required Emphasis – Student and advisor decide whether questions represent either the core (EDU5106) or a required emphasis.

• • Questions 4 & 5 CHOOSE ONE Required Emphasis

• • Questions 6 & 7 CHOOSE ONE. Required Emphasis or Elective Emphasis – Student and advisor decide whether questions represent a required or elective emphasis.
  • Questions 8 & 9 CHOOSE ONE General Elective – Student decides which elective is used.

Examination Committee

The committee writes and scores the student’s comprehensive examination. The committee consists of the student’s advisor and three faculty members who are arranged by the student in consultation with the advisor. Committee members meet two criteria

1. the student has taken their courses, and
2. the courses represent the types of questions needed for the exam.

Note the following requirements:

1. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to register for a comprehensive examination.
2. A student can take a comprehensive exam while completing their last three-credit course, as long as the course is an elective and no questions related to the course appear on the comprehensive exam.

Applying for the Comprehensive Examination

Step 1. Contact your advisor to discuss the types of questions for your exam and which faculty members should sit on your committee.

Step 2. Complete and submit the Application for Comprehensive Examination and fee payment to the director of graduate studies. The examination fee is the same as the cost of one credit.

Step 4. The director of graduate studies will respond via email with approval and confirmation of your committee members and examination date.

The comprehensive examination may be written on the MLC campus. Special arrangements must be made with the director of graduate studies to write the exam at another location. There is a $100 fee to take the exam at an off-campus location.