Doctoral Comprehensive Examination in ELPS

This examination is given in two parts. 

Part I.

Part I consists of general knowledge and is taken as soon as possible after a student has completed 18 to 24 credits.  It is advisable for students to have taken UE500, UE600, UE650, GUS410 or an equivalent course, research design or an equivalent course, at least one course in qualitative research methods, and one course in statistics.  This open-book, take-home exam is given the week prior to the beginning of the fall and spring terms.  There are three sections: theory, application, and methodology.  Each part has two questions; students are required to answer one of these questions.  Each section requires an essay of 8-10 pages.  Students have 10 days to complete the exam.  Once a year (spring semester) a mini-course is offered to help prepare students for taking the exam.  This course does not count as part of the Ph.D. course requirements.

A successful Part I exam will display several key components:

1. Well-written, well-argued essays in which the student is able to cite important work, as well as synthesize, analyze, and draw independent conclusions about the work in question.
2. A mastery of some of the basic theoretical constructs that are frequently used in the study of urban education.
3. An understanding of the basic paradigmatic and epistemological differences that exist among various methodological approaches to the study of urban education.
4. A well-developed sense of the complexity of the urban environment that incorporates historical political, social, and economic perspectives.

Part II.

Part II of the doctoral comprehensive exam is in the student's specialty area.  This exam is given at the end of the student's coursework and is individualized.  After selecting her/his subject area, the student prepares brief summaries of the literature on the subject.  These summaries are submitted to an examining committee selected for expertise in the subject area, who assess whether the student is ready to move forward with the exam.  Drawing from the student's proposal, the faculty committee then develops the exam questions.  Like Part I, Part II is also an open-book, take-home exam in three sections -- theory, application, and methodology.  The date for the exam is selected by the student and the student's committee and the student is given two weeks to complete the exam.

A successful Part II exam will display several key components:

1. Well-written, well-argued essays in which the student is able to cite important work, as well as synthesize, analyze, and draw independent conclusions about the work in question.  As a whole, the exam must display a mastery of the area of expertise.
2. A mastery of the major theoretical constructs that are used in the students' area of expertise.
3. An in-depth and nuanced understanding of the basic paradigmatic and epistemological approaches to the study of the general topic, as well as a competent assessment of these methods' strengths and weaknesses.
4. An ability to develop a research design that would adequately address a viable research question in the student's area of expertise.
5. A well-developed sense of the ways in which the student's area of expertise relates to broader historical, political, social, and economic factors.

Strategies for Preparation

Important strategies for preparing for the comprehensive exam:

• As soon as you enter the program, you should work with your advisor to develop a plan and course of study that will insure that you do well on the exams.  For example, it is probably a good idea to "front load" the courses listed above, so that by the time you have completed 18-24 credits, you have taken all those courses.
• For Part I especially, timing is very important.  Take the exam as close as possible to completing these foundational courses.
• Review old exams (available from the coordinator and/or advisors) and talk to students who have taken them.  Try to get a sense of what makes up a good answer and a not-so-good answer.
• Especially for Part I, form study groups to review and discuss the topics on the reading list.  Remember that the list is suggestive of the broad topics you should be familiar with.  You are not expected to have read everything on the list, but you are also expected to have done relevant readings that are not on the list.
• Organize your library, notes, and bibliographies.
• Clear your calendar and any other responsibilities for the time when you're taking the exam.

For more information on the Doctoral Programs offered by ELPS, see the Dept. Home Page.