After completing at least 21 semester hours of course work, candidates for the Master of Education Degree are required to sustain a written comprehensive examination focusing on the program and course outcomes. Responses are evaluated by two graduate faculty members. The criteria used for evaluation include comprehensiveness, accuracy, logical organization, and the use of research-based information in the responses. If limited portions of the examination are unsatisfactory, the student may be allowed one opportunity to rewrite those portions or submit to an oral retake of unsatisfactory written portions. On occasion, oral examination may be part of the comprehensive exam.
Students usually take the examination after completion of all course work.
The exam is typically scheduled for the first Saturday in March. The examination may be taken on campus, or, in the case of distant students, the examination may be proctored by an official in the student's home school situation under arrangements suitable to the director of the Master of Education Program. In such a case, the written examination must be received by the director by March 15. Students are notified of the results of the examination by April 1. If portions of the examination are to be re-written, they must be submitted to the director by April 15.