Graduate Program - Doctoral Program Comprehensive Examination
Doctoral students take the comprehensive examination during the first or second semester after completing coursework required by the program of study. The comprehensive examination includes both a written and oral portion; students must pass both portions to pass the comprehensive exam. The focus of comps is on the primary and secondary fields, but questions may also be required for the outside field, methods, or electives as appropriate.
Written comprehensives are held during the third week of the fall semester and the second week of the winter (spring) semester. Both sections of the comprehensive examination must be completed in one month. To successfully complete the comprehensive examination, the candidate must pass the written and oral parts of the examination in all fields. If a student does not pass, the student will not be permitted to retake exams until the next regularly scheduled time for the comprehensive examinations. In the event that a student does not pass, the student must retake comps within one year (twelve months). Students may take the comprehensive examination only twice. Failure to pass the comprehensive examination in two attempts results in the student's dismissal from the doctoral program.
Reading List:
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- American Politics
- Public Policy
- Political Theory