Graduate Student Resources
Specialist Comprehensive Exam
After students have completed all of their program's coursework and the Ed.S. thesis or project, they must take and pass the Specialist Comprehensive Examination. The Comprehensive Examination (often referred to as "comps") will evaluate the student's competence in applying skills and knowledge consistent with the original program goals. The format used to satisfy the comprehensive exam requirement may vary by department or program. Each Ed.S. Supervisory Committee is responsible for developing and administering the examination to their students. Please check with your supervisory committee or with your program advisors to learn more about Comprehensive Exam procedures in your chosen program.
Registration Requirements
Students must be in active degree-seeking status and enrolled for a minimum of two (2) hours of graduate credit during the semester in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken. If the exam is taken between semesters, the student must be enrolled for a minimum of two (2) hours of graduate credit in the semester before or following the exam.
- Note: If students take the comprehensive exam in the same semester they complete their thesis or project, they may enroll in thesis/project hours to fulfill the minimum enrollment requirement.
Each Specialist program has their own application requirements and exam clearance process for the Comprehensive Exam. The student's department and program will determine the format of the exam, the dates on which the exam will take place, and any additional eligibility requirements needed to register for the exam. As a general rule, Specialist students should be in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher) with no missing or incomplete grades to be cleared for the exam. Additionally, students should have previously completed the thesis or project required in all Specialist programs, or will be defending and submitting the thesis/project in the same semester they take the comprehensive exam.
Submission of Comprehensive Examination Results
Once students have completed and passed the Comprehensive Examination, their supervisory committee members must sign and date the Verification of Comprehensive Exam Results Form. The student's Major Professor or department Academic Program Specialist must submit the Verification of Exam Results form to the Graduate Support Office no later than the deadline for submission of term grades for the student to meet graduation requirements for that semester.