5.1 EXAM PREPARATION
The comprehensive examinations mark the shift from “user of knowledge of the field” to the “originator and extender of the knowledge base of the field.” These exams also sample the critical thinking and problem solving skills of doctoral students.
The comprehensive examinations consist of two publishable articles (25-30 pages each). One article is on leadership; the second article is on a social science theory that will serve as a backbone for the student’s chapter two in their dissertation. Once the student has completed the papers, he/she will defend those papers before a committee of three persons: the director, a specialist in the area of the second article, and a peer.
Comprehensive examinations must be taken within twelve months following the successful completion of all course work.
Doctoral students must complete the comprehensive examinations successfully before the dissertation prospectus can be approved and dissertation data gathering can begin.