Advisees in the MS in Education (MS Ed) and Master of Art Theological Studies (MATS) programs will seek guidance if they desire to complete their program with the comprehensive exam. (The comprehensive exam is not an option for MS in Educational Administration or MS in Special Education.) Advisors themselves often have questions about the purpose and procedures of the exam. Guidelines have been developed to help the advisor understand the exam and respond to students.
The purpose of the exam is to allow the student to demonstrate a level of knowledge, understanding, and application of that knowledge within his/her area of emphasis and within his/her educational setting that appreciably exceeds that of someone who has achieved a bachelor’s degree. The exam is a 10-week, three-question exercise in which students craft detailed responses and conduct an oral defense.
In preparation for the exam, the advisor may share the following with his/her students.
MATS
The MATS comprehensive exam consists of three questions. The questions will be asked by three committee members, one of whom is the student’s advisor. Committee members craft questions aligned to the student’s program and the MATS program outcomes.
Question 1: Master’s Required Core – Aligned with Outcomes #1, 2, 3, or 7
Question 2: Master’s Required Core – Aligned with Outcomes #1, 2, 3, or 7
Question 3: Elective – Aligned with Outcomes #4, 5, or 6
MS Ed
The MS in Education comprehensive exam consists of three questions. The questions will be asked by three committee members, one of whom is the student’s advisor. Committee members craft questions aligned to the student’s program and the MATS program outcomes.
Question 1: Master’s Required Core – Reflects educational research (EDU5005), educational issues (EDU5001), or assessment (EDU5106) – Aligned with Outcome #2 and Outcome #3
Question 2: Emphasis Elective – Aligned with Outcome #4
Question 3: Open for all Courses – Aligned with Outcome #1
The exam is read and scored by the faculty members according to the prepared rubric available on the MLC Graduate Studies website. Each faculty member evaluates each question, but takes the lead in evaluating the question she provided.
Each committee member also participates in the oral defense. A pass / fail decision is made following the oral defense.
The student must pass each of the five questions to pass the exam.
Additional information on the comprehensive exam is available on page 46 of the Graduate Studies Bulletin.
NOTE TO THE ADVISOR: The advisor takes the lead role in organizing the exam, establishing the exam schedule, and guiding the student and committee members through the process. Rubrics and advisor communication templates can be found in this shared Google Folder.
In the event that the student has not taken a course from his/her advisor, the advisor chairs the committee, but a fourth committee member is needed to craft a course-specific question.
Guidelines for advising the student’s committee member selections
The advisor encourages student reflection and meaningful selection of committee members by suggesting he/she consider the following questions:
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- Which courses did the student complete within the area of emphasis?
- Which courses have been of special help to the student in his/her ministry or current employment? Note: Not all students are WELS teachers.
- Which courses does the student have a special interest in?
- Which instructors were especially helpful to the student?
