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Comps Preview Session

Today

! Dates, Format, Grading, & Results

! Strategies for Success

! Q&A

What is comps?

The comprehensive examination is designed to allow students to synthesize and apply the information and skills learned and discussed in coursework throughout the program of study.

What is comps?

Comps is intended to evaluate your ability to:

!  synthesize knowledge acquired within the program core,

!  ground that knowledge in the relevant scholarly literature,

!  apply that knowledge to issues of current practice, and

!  communicate that knowledge in professional writing that is appropriate for a specific audience (e.g., government officials, colleagues, administrators, policymakers, etc.)

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Instructions, Timeframe, Format, and Grading

Instructions

!  The exam may be written anywhere.

!  Students are permitted the use of any materials in writing their responses.

!  The responses should not include work previously submitted for academic credit.

!  All exam work is to be done individually. Students may not receive any assistance regarding content or editing during the exam period.

Timeframe

!  You will receive the comp exam question from Dawn Hall (dhall@odu.edu) via e-mail no later than 12:00 noon on Friday.

!  Responses must be submitted to Dawn Hall via e-mail no later than 12:00 noon on Monday.

!  Written exam results will be made known approximately 3-5 weeks after the exams are submitted.

What is the format?

The format is different for Master's/Ed.S. and Ph.D. students:

!  Master's and Ed.S. students write an 8-10 page essay in response a case prepared by or identified by program faculty.

!  Ph.D. students write an 8-10 page essay in response a case prepared by or identified by program faculty, as well as an 8-10 page proposal for a research study that builds on the essay response.

What is the format? ESSAY

!  The case study format of the examination encourages students to apply what they have learned in coursework to a real-world situation.

!  Your response should be based on assigned course readings, as well as literature from your own self-directed research on a course-related paper, project, or presentation.

!  No additional research should be required in order to answer the comps question.

What is the format? RESEARCH PROPOSAL (PH.D. ONLY)

!  The research proposal should include the following: !  Briefly state a problem that could be addressed with a research study. !  Clearly state a specific question(s) that you could answer with a

research study that has the potential inform institutional action. !  Select a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed method design, as well as

state the specific method by which you would go about answering the research question. Include a clearly stated rationale for the design you select, and cite scholarly literature relevant to the research design you propose.

!  Describe how you would go about conducting this research study, concretely addressing how you will select participants and sites for research, collect data, analyze data, and ensure your analysis meets established criteria for quality within your selected research design. Briefly identify limitations of the proposed research design.

!  Briefly state the significance of your research study and the potential of the results to inform practice.

How are comps graded?

!  Program area faculty use rubrics to evaluate the content section of the exam. (See the “Strategies for Success” section of this presentation for rubric criteria and tips for success.)

!  Each written exam will be graded by a program faculty member. Exams are graded "blind" with no student names or identifying characteristics attached to the exam.

How are comps graded?

!  One program faculty member will read the written exam. If the exam is deemed acceptable – then the student passes the written component.

!  If the written exam is not acceptable, then a second faculty member will read the exam.

!  If there is disagreement between the first and second readers as to the acceptability of the exam, then a third faculty member will serve as a tie breaker.

What if I don’t pass?

!  Students who fail the written exam the first time may take the exam once more during the next comprehensive exam administration period.

!  If a student fails to pass the comprehensive exam after two administrations, then the student will be dismissed from the program.

What is the format? ORAL EXAM (PH.D. ONLY)

!  If the Ph.D. student passes the written exam, an oral exam will be scheduled within one month of being notified of passing the written exam.

!  The oral exam takes place via phone for students who live outside of Hampton Roads and in-person for students who live in the area.

What is the format? ORAL EXAM (PH.D. ONLY)

!  In the oral exam, a panel of at least three program faculty will ask you to respond to questions concerning your written exam, including content from coursework related to your written exam.

!  You do not need to prepare a formal presentation; you do need to be prepared to engage in a collegial conversation with the faculty panel.

!  The criteria the faculty will use to assess your responses are the same criteria used to assess the written component of the exam.

What is the format? ORAL EXAM (PH.D. ONLY)

!  A panel of faculty will vote on whether the student passed the oral component of the comprehensive exam, and the student will be informed of the result within 1 week.

!  If the Ph.D. student passes the oral component, they have then passed the entire comprehensive exam. If the student fails the oral component, they must schedule another oral defense within one month with three faculty members – one of which is different from the original three panel members.

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Strategies for Success

Answer The Question

!  address every part of the question in your exam

!  read the question carefully and identify all parts of the question (read it backwards if it helps), only answer the question that is asked,

!  be deep focused rather than superficial and unfocused, you can't cover everything 8-10 pages

Addresses the question comprehensively

WHAT FACULTY LOOK FOR…

Make a Strong Argument

!  start the first day of comps with a outline and clear argument, be clear about the logical progression of the position you take

!  leave time towards the end to reread, take a step back and get perspective, and go back rewrite anything to make sure your argument is clear, read out loud to yourself as you edit

Takes clear position, using a strong, independent voice to effectively organize and synthesize evidence to develop a coherent analysis/argument

WHAT FACULTY LOOK FOR…

Organize Core Literature

!  organize your course materials so they can be easily accessed during comps

!  identify what you consider to be "hot" articles -- that serve as connecting points for YOU (maybe not someone else, but you) -- you may or may not use them but it helps as you prepare and write

Demonstrates in-depth understanding of core literature from all/most coursework

WHAT FACULTY LOOK FOR…

Integrate High-Quality Sources

!  spend some time thinking through connecting themes, write them out, discuss them together in a group

!  back up your argument with citations from literature from core courses; no additional literature beyond the core is required

Demonstrates skillful integration of high-quality, credible, relevant literature; entire analysis synthesizes multiple sources in support of ideas

WHAT FACULTY LOOK FOR…

Be A Strong Writer

!  be a clear, solid writer

!  use headings and subheadings; define terms

Follows APA 6 guidelines for cover page, in-text citations, quotations, reference list; clear and concise writing style; free of errors in syntax and grammar

WHAT FACULTY LOOK FOR…

Be A Strong Writer

!  Papers should be prepared according to the APA style manual (6th edition), including cover page, in-text citations, pagination, headings, and reference list. An abstract and list of keywords are not required. Papers should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins and use 12-point Times New Roman. All papers should be clear, succinct, free of grammatical mistakes, and free of jargon and gender-biased language. Proofread all written work and always cite your sources. Cover page, references, tables, and figures are not included in the page limit.

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Some Final Tips…

Plan and Pace

!  plan; develop a strategy that works for you; how you will spend the 3 days writing

!  pace yourself; set aside time for relaxation and “fun” breaks

!  mix it up; music, quiet, caffeine, the right time of day, writing at a coffee shop, varieties of tasks and locations for writing

“Baby Steps”

!  set realistic goals at the beginning of each writing session

!  end each writing session by making a list of what you need to pick up on “to get the ball rolling” next time

!  shift between “low energy” and “high energy” writing activities as your energy ebbs and flows

!  work in both long – and short – blocks of time

Find Your Happy Space

!  create a productive space that you will “enjoy” working in for 3 solid days

!  put key resources for the day at your fingertips; put everything else away

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Q&A