Comprehensive Exams for UWA’s Graduate Programs

About the Comprehensive Exam

The University of West Alabama’s online master’s degree and education specialist programs include a Comprehensive Exam after you complete foundational requirements. The exam verifies you understand the coursework and possess the knowledge and skills your field of study demands.

To take your exam after meeting the requirements, you can:

• Complete the Comprehensive Exam registration form
• Pay the nonrefundable $50 registration fee

The Comprehensive Exam is one step in your path to a graduate degree — and it’s in addition to filing an application for your degree. To stay on track to your preferred graduation date, please review all necessary milestones on the Academic Calendar.

Eligibility Requirements for the Comprehensive Exam

Your first step is to meet with your advisor to see if you’ve satisfied the requirements for taking your Comprehensive Exam. You can also find your program below to learn the credit hour and GPA requirements for registering for the exam.

*The following programs have specific requirements for the credit hours completed:

• MEd History, 6-12 — this requirement includes:
  • Six credit hours in U.S. History (pre- and post-Civil War)
  • Six credit hours outside of U.S. History

• MEd Social Science, 6-12 — this requirement includes:
  • Nine credit hours of History courses (three must be outside of U.S. History)
  • Six credit hours of graduate Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology courses

• MAT History, 6-12 — this requirement includes:
  • Nine credit hours in U.S. History (pre-and post-Civil War)
  • Nine credit hours outside of U.S. History

• MAT Social Science, 6-12 — this requirement includes:
  • 15 credit hours of History courses (three must be outside of U.S. History)
  • Six credit hours of graduate Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology courses

Programs with Alternative Exam Formats

Praxis II

Students enrolled in the following programs take the Praxis II instead of the Comprehensive Exam. A minimum 3.25 GPA is required. For more details, please review the Graduate Catalog. You can learn more about the Praxis II exam on the ETS website and by calling 1-800-772-9476.

• Alternative Class A Programs
• MEd Instructional Leadership (Reduced Credit-Hour Option)
• MEd Library Media
• MEd School Counseling
• MS Guidance and Counseling
• MS Adult Continuing Education: Library Media

Portfolio

For students pursuing the following degrees a portfolio replaces the Comprehensive Exam:

• Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications: Students shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive digital and physical portfolio that indicates the level of experience and knowledge gained in the IMC program. Portfolios are juried as a requirement of IMC 580.
• MEd Learning, Design & Technology: Students must achieve a passing score on the comprehensive e-portfolio project, documenting mastery of the program’s curriculum.
• MBA (All Emphases): Students must complete the Major Field Test during their final semester. Contact Dr. Willy Hill, Program Director, with questions about the MFT requirement.
• EdS Teacher Leader and EdS Instructional Leadership: Students must achieve a passing score on the LiveText Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment, demonstrating an understanding of program standards and a mastery of the curriculum.

The Comprehensive Exam Experience

True to its name, this exam affirms you’ve gained comprehensive knowledge of course subjects. You must answer each question thoroughly, providing relevant examples and supporting details. Your essay responses should also exhibit graduate-level writing that conveys a deep understanding of the content, logical thinking and sound reasoning.

UWA provides four hours for students to complete the exam. You’ll dedicate the bulk of that time to giving thoughtful, detailed responses, with the final minutes spent fleshing out your answers and correcting any issues with spelling, grammar or the writing mechanics. To pass, you must answer each question indicated in the instructions (leaving an answer blank could prevent you from passing the exam).

The student’s department and program will determine the format of the exam. The exams are graded by content area experts and reported to the Graduate School as Pass or Fail. Students who do not pass the comprehensive exam are provided with a faculty advisor who may offer general guidance and support; however, the faculty advisor cannot discuss specific test questions or negotiate any ratings previously assigned.

Exam Failures Due to Technical Issues

The Graduate School recognizes that online and technology-assisted examinations require stable internet connectivity and appropriate technical readiness. To ensure fairness and academic integrity, the following requirement applies to all graduate students:

1. Student Responsibility
   1. Students are responsible for securing a reliable internet connection, maintaining charged devices, and testing all required technology prior to beginning an examination.
   1. Deliberate disconnection from the internet, powering down devices, or other intentional actions that interrupt the exam will be treated as academic misconduct and result in a failing grade for the exam.
2. Unintentional Technical Failures
   1. In cases where unexpected technical issues occur (e.g., sudden loss of power or involuntary internet outage), students must notify the instructor immediately and provide documentation of the disruption (such as a utility or service outage notice).
   1. The program designee, in consultation with the Graduate School if needed, will determine whether the exam may be rescheduled, continued, or graded as-is.
3. Failure Due to Technical Non-Compliance
   1. Failure to complete an examination due to preventable technical issues, such as unplugging the internet, disabling connectivity, or otherwise interfering with exam continuity, will result in the exam being graded as a failure.
   1. Appeals may be considered only if the student can provide verifiable evidence that the issue was beyond their control.

Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility in preparing for online examinations. Preventable technical disruptions, including intentionally or negligently disconnecting from the internet, will not be accepted as grounds for retaking or excusing a failed exam.

Getting Support: Contact the UWA Helpdesk https://uwahd.uwa.edu/hc/en-us or the Online Testing Center via telephone (205-652-5479) or email (uwaotc@uwa.edu)

Prepare for Your Comprehensive Exam

The following materials can help you get ready for your Comprehensive Exam. You’ll need to sign in to Blackboard to access these documents.

Example Scoring Rubrics

These rubrics provide basic parameters for how UWA scores the Comprehensive Exam. When you take your exam, be sure to read the instructions carefully, as they vary by program.

• Rubric Example 2: Used for Health Sciences and Human Performance programs, such as Physical Education, Sport Management, Exercise Science and Athletic Training

Comprehensive Exam Information by Program

Preview the following guides and supporting documents as you prepare for the exam. Because these files pertain to specific programs, it’s wise to talk with your advisor about the best way to study for your exam.

• Counseling-Psychology Information Guide
• Early Childhood Education Comprehensive Exam Key Information
• Elementary Education Comprehensive Exam Key Information
• English Standard Advice
• Exp-Clinical Key Information
• Family Counseling Key Information
• History & Social Science – What Makes a Good Comprehensive Exam Answer
• Key Points ED.S. Counseling Comprehensive Exam
• Masters Level Comprehensive Exam Information
• MEd Learning Design and Technology Graduate Comps Form
• Specialist Level Comprehensive Exam
• SpEd Comprehensive Exam Key Information
• Student Affairs Comprehensive Exam Information

Written Exam Preparation

Review the following checklist and handbook to prepare for the written portion of the Comprehensive Exam.

• Checklist for Good Writing

Additional Comprehensive Exam Details

Review the following information if you need to:

Retake the Comprehensive Examination

Students who do not pass their Comprehensive Exam can attempt it a second time. However, they must register again to take the exam at a later date.

If students do not pass the Comprehensive Examination on the second attempt, they must wait at least one on-campus semester or two online terms before taking the exam a third time. Additionally, they must complete three credit hours of coursework as specified by their academic program advisor in addition to the credit hours normally required for the master’s degree program. The additional coursework may be a repetition of courses the students already completed.

If a student does not pass the Comprehensive Examination on their third attempt or at a later time while enrolled in the degree program, they will be dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies and may not apply for readmission until one on-campus semester or two online terms. Note that students must complete all courses within nine years of their graduation.

Instances of academic dishonesty may be referred to the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC) and are subject to the actions thereof. Students who do not pass the Comprehensive Exam due to academic dishonesty will be dismissed from the School of Graduate Studies for one on-campus semester or two online terms. If a student is dismissed for academic dishonesty on the Comprehensive Exam, the student should adhere to the following procedures for academic appeal.

Submit an Academic Appeal

Students who are dismissed from programs may appeal to the Graduate Appeals Committee for readmission after one on-campus semester or two online terms. Students can begin this process by submitting a written request to the Graduate Dean, who will present the request at a scheduled Committee meeting. When making an appeal, students must provide adequate evidence of their ability, maturity, motivation and accountability. The decision of the Committee is final and not subject to negotiation or further appeal. Any subsequent incidents of academic dishonesty will result in indefinite expulsion from the School of Graduate Studies.

Ready to Take Your Comprehensive Exam?

With the proper preparation, you can excel when taking your Comprehensive Exam. If you meet the above requirements, you can register now for the exam and pay the nonrefundable $50 fee:

Do You Have Questions?

Make an appointment with your advisor to discuss whether you’re ready to take the Comprehensive Exam.