Candidates for Master's degrees in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Lynch School of Education Graduate Programs, and the Connell Graduate School of Nursing must pass a departmental comprehensive examination that may be oral, written, or both, as determined by the department. Each candidate should consult his or her major department to learn the time and nature of the comprehensive examination. Registration for comprehensives will take place directly with the individual departments. Questions on the nature and the exact date of examinations should be directed to the department chairperson or Graduate Program Director.
The following grading scale is used: pass with distinction (PwD), pass (P), and fail (F). A candidate who fails the Master's Comprehensive Examination may take it only one more time. Students who have completed their course work should register for Interim Study (888) each semester until they complete their comprehensive examinations. Only the registration and the activity fees are charged during this period. No credit is granted.