Educational Learning

 

Exams

All degree candidates are required to pass a comprehensive exam in order to complete their programs. M.Ed. candidates (and others seeking licensure in Nevada) must pass the Praxis examination in educational leadership. All others take written examinations designed to assess mastery of key concepts in the coursework selected for the program of study.

 

You must have your advisor’s approval to take the comprehensive exam.  Check with your advisor for dates, times, etc.

 

EL Departmental Policies on Examinations

  1. All Ed.D., and Ph.D. applicants must complete a qualifying examination. The exam will require that the candidate select one of two questions to be given on site, and respond to the question by writing an essay of approximately 1,000 words. This essay will be included with the candidate's departmental application materials.

  2. All students applying to take comprehensive examinations must enroll in EL 795, Comprehensive Examination, 1 credit.

  3. The comprehensive examination for the M.A., M.Ed., and Ed.S. Degree is normally taken in the final semester or summer session of coursework. It may be taken earlier with the advisor's approval if no more than six semester hours of class work remain.

  4. All master's candidates in the principalship program must pass the ETS Praxis examination, Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (10410). Information can be found at the following link: www.ets.org/praxis.

  5. All students not in the principalship program and pursuing the M.A., and Ed.S. Degrees must complete an Application for the Written Comprehensive Examination approximately three weeks before the examination date.

  6. The comprehensive examination for the Ed.D. or Ph.D. Degree is normally taken after coursework is completed.

  7. Ed.D. and Ph.D. exams are individually scheduled. Students pursuing the Ed.D. or Ph.D. must file a written request for Qualifying and Comprehensive Examinations with the office manager. This request must be approved by the student's advisor approximately three weeks prior to the examination.

  8. Time limits for comprehensive examinations for each degree are as follows: M.A.--6 hours, Ed.S.--8 hours, Ed.D./Ph.D.--16 hours. Two hours will be allowed for the completion of the qualifying examination for the Ed.D. or Ph.D.

  9. A reading committee, rotated among department faculty members according to academic specialty, shall independently score each exam on a scale of 1-5. A minimum score of 3 in each academic area tested is required to pass the examination. Examinations must be well written and careful attention must be given to spelling, punctuation and usage. One month should be allowed for the scoring of all departmental exams (excluding the Praxis).

  10. Final oral examinations are required of most advanced degree candidates after successful completion of the writtens. The student has the responsibility of scheduling the oral examination and contacting the committee members concerned. If applicable, Ed.S., Ed.D., and Ph.D. students must take the final oral examination at least three weeks before the end of the semester or term. Contact your advisor for further information.

  11. A student who fails an academic area of the written comprehensive examination may repeat that section of the examination up to two times. The completion of additional coursework or experiences may be required by the advisory committee.

  12. No student will be allowed to take written comprehensive examinations before an approved program of study has been filed with the Graduate School.