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Smith PhD
Program Overview
Written Comprehensive
Exam
The Ph.D. Program of the Robert H.
Smith School of Business requires
students to pass one comprehensive
examination in the area of
concentration. Students must take care
that all course work in the major area
of concentration is completed prior to
taking the comprehensive examination.
Failure and Termination
A failed written comprehensive exam can
be repeated. However, a student must
pass the comprehensive exam on the
second try in order to remain in the
program.
Scheduling and Notification
The written examinations are scheduled
during January and July. The Ph.D.
Program Office schedules the days and
times of the examinations and arranges
for the rooms. The office notifies the
faculty and candidates of the
examination schedule at least two months
in advance of the examination period.
Exams held other than in January and
July need to be administered by the
individual departments.
It is the responsibility of each
candidate to notify the Ph.D. Program
Office in writing of his/her intention
to take an examination at least two
months in advance.
Withdrawal
Students must receive the joint
permission of the program director and
the area advisor to withdraw from the
examination after a written request to
take it has been submitted and approved.
Examination Information
Each area has the responsibility for
preparing and maintaining information
relevant to the content and coverage of
its examinations. Students are strongly
advised to consult with the area
advisor, members of the Ph.D. committee,
and relevant faculty well in advance of
the examination date.
Conduct of Examination
The Ph.D. Program Office will be
responsible for proctoring and
collecting the examinations and,
following the completion of all
examinations, will transmit the
examination papers to the area committee
for grading. Upon the return of grades
to the Ph.D. Program Office, candidates
will be notified of the results.
The written comprehensive examination
is ordinarily no longer than eight hours
with appropriate breaks provided.
Grading and Feedback
Official notification of the outcome of
examinations will be provided to each
student by the Ph.D. Program Office. The
grading categories are High Pass, Pass,
Low Pass, Conditional Pass, and Fail.
Students receiving a Pass or High Pass
on their first attempt are exempted from
the oral comprehensive examination.
When a student receives a
"Conditional Pass," the condition(s)
imposed may include rewriting individual
questions, completing an additional
course or courses, writing a research
paper, or other options. Please note
that a failure on any of the conditional
tasks will convert the "Conditional
Pass" to a "Fail" grade for the total
examination. "Conditional Pass" grades
are only granted on the first try.
Any failed examination may be
repeated. However, the student must pass
the examination on the second try in
order to remain in the Program. Please
note that a "Conditional Pass" grade is
not acceptable for a repeated
examination.
Area examination advisors will meet,
on request, with each student
individually to provide feedback on the
examination. Advisors will be prepared
to provide the student with:
- The consensus judgment of the
graders on a question by question
basis of the student's performance
on each question, including some
indication of what was wrong with a
student's answer for questions
graded "Low Pass" or "Fail". A
grader by grader breakdown of the
grades is not required.
- A general description of how the
final grade determination of the
entire examination was arrived at
from the student's question by
question performance.
Appeals
A student may appeal any aspect of the
examining procedure and grade. Such an
appeal should begin with an exploration
of the matter with the relevant area
examination advisors and with the
program director. If the matter is not
resolved at this level, a formal appeal
must be made in writing to the program
director and the chair of the student’s
department. Intention to file such an
appeal should be given as quickly as
possible and in no case later than 30
days from the occurrence of the event on
which the appeal is based. (N.B. This
means that if the appeal is based on the
conduct of the examination, notice of
intent to appeal should be given
immediately, without waiting for grades
to be received.)
For additional information, click on
the links below:
►
General Requirements
►
Specific Area Requirements
►
Maintenance of Graduate Standing
►
Written
Comprehensive Exam
►
Oral Comprehensive Exam
► Advancement
to Candidacy
►
Dissertation
►
Graduation Ceremonies
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