Some universities do not require a comprehensive exam for graduation.
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Reference materials and academic discussions confirm that comprehensive examinations are required only in certain institutions and disciplines, meaning that some universities do not require them.
of over 300 U.S. universities. A comprehensive exam may also be required for a master's degree earned on the way to the completion of a doctoral program
In higher education, a comprehensive examination (or comprehensive exam or exams), often abbreviated as "comps", is a specific type of examination that must be completed by graduate students in some disciplines and courses of study, and also by undergraduate students in some institutions and departments. Unlike final examinations, comprehensive examinations are not linked to any particular course,
In…
# Why do some universities not have a comprehensive exam?
Tags: phd, qualifying-exam
- Score: 20
- Views: 9201
- Answers: 5
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: seteropere (14016 rep)
- Asked: 2013-08-03
- Edited: 2015-03-08
- Site: academia
## Question
I spotted that some universities do not have a comprehensive exam for their PhD students while it is standard at most universities (specifically for computer science). For what reasons do some universities drop the requirement of comprehensive exam? What is the impression towards someone who has graduated from no-comprehensive department?
## Answers
### Answer by aeismail (score: 12 [ACCEPTED])
The primary reasons for having a comprehensive or qualifying examination are as a measure of quality control, and as a means of "population control."
The first ensures that students meet minimal criteria for promotion to PhD candidacy. This allows, in part, PhD programs to take a few candidates who they feel could be successful, but are not 100% confident thereof.
The second is used if departments admit more incoming students than they have funding to support as PhD candidates. Then the exam is used to "cull the herd," and keep the candidat
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