Comprehensive Written Exam

All students entering the program Fall 2011 or later and who select the Administrative Field Experience (EHS 7800) or the Master’s Project (EHS 7850) as their capstone experience must pass a Comprehensive Written Exam before they begin their capstone experience. For students who elect to complete the research based Master’s Thesis (EHS 7900), the Comprehensive Exam is incorporated into the Thesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Comprehensive Written Exam should be completed after you have completed EHS 6100 (Research Techniques) and a minimum of four courses from the Concentration Core (Exercise Physiology or Sport Management), but no later than one semester prior to enrollment in your Capstone Experience course. Please consult with the Graduate Program Coordinator to determine the appropriate semester to take the Comprehensive Written Exam.

  • Fill out the Comprehensive Written Exam Form and submit it to the Graduate Program Coordinator.

  • The Comprehensive Written Exam Committee selection must be done in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator since there are numerous factors that determine which Graduate faculty would be appropriate to serve on the Committee. Since serving on the Committee is a major time investment, Graduate faculty members have the discretion whether or not to serve and their appointment must be approved by the Department Chair.

  • The Comprehensive Written Exam Committee will select the question. The members of the Comprehensive Written Exam Committee will be responsible for grading the exam, and students will be notified of the outcome within 2 weeks following the exam.

  • Students are expected to perform at a level of 80% (based on 100 point scale; “B” level or above) to pass each component of the exam. Students will be given one opportunity to retake any component(s) they do not successfully pass on their first attempt.

  • Failure to successfully pass the Comprehensive Written Exam in two attempts will immediately suspend a student’s progression through the M.S. in Applied Exercise and Health Science program. The Graduate Program Coordinator will call a meeting of all Graduate Faculty members and the Department Chair to discuss the student’s future viability in the program. Depending on the individual circumstance, the final outcome could be a formalized remediation plan or possible dismissal from the Program.

  • These students are required to pass a Comprehensive Exam, but it is not in the same written format as required for other students. The Comprehensive Exam is incorporated into the two semester length Thesis experiences, and their performance is assessed by the Thesis Committee in both written and verbal formats. The culmination of the Master’s Thesis will be a Thesis defense which will include the Thesis Committee and other Graduate faculty and students. Due to the nature of the Thesis, this defense will include verbal questions that require synthesis and integration of content from Graduate courses.

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