The school provides information it receives to students concerning internship and summer employment opportunities. However, it is the responsibility of the student to secure the internship and to fulfill this academic requirement. With prior approval of the academic advisor and the dean, students may substitute a planned program of travel and observation of approximately the same duration or a special assignment of summer research or other investigation. As in the case of the regular internship, a report thoroughly describing and evaluating the experience must be submitted to the academic advisor and subsequently to the dean. The comprehensive examination normally is given in the fall and spring semesters of each year.
Students usually take the examination in the last semester of their second year.
The written examination is administered by faculty committees appointed by the dean. Students who fail the examination may take it again within one year. The examination may only be repeated once. Working directly with a faculty member, the student pursues an interest or problem appropriate to their program of study. The end product of directed research will be approved or prescribed by the faculty member supervising the student.