[La-cgs] Seeking Input: Processes for Certifying Completion of Comprehensive Exams

[Bodily, Jason]

At LSUHS, the comprehensive exam in most of the programs is administered by the student's advisory committee. In most of our programs, comprehensive exams take the form of writing a grant proposal (either on the student's own proposed research or another subject), which is then evaluated by the committee. This practice has the benefit of both showing the quality of the student's thought processes and also (inevitably) revealing weaknesses that the committee can use to help the student learn something from the process. Following the exam, each committee member (including the mentor/major professor) signs a form indicating whether they feel the student passed or failed. The form is then signed by the department head and by me. The process works pretty smoothly.

________________________________
From: La-cgs <la-cgs-bounces at lists.latech.edu> on behalf of Mary Edith Stacy <maryedith at nsula.edu>
Sent: Friday, June 6, 2025 9:39 AM
To: la-cgs at lists.latech.edu <la-cgs at lists.latech.edu>
Subject: [La-cgs] Seeking Input: Processes for Certifying Completion of Comprehensive Exams

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Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well.
As a new graduate dean, I’m currently reviewing our institution’s process for certifying the completion of comprehensive exams—a task that, while routine, feels ripe for modernization. Our current approach is quite antiquated, and I would greatly appreciate your insights as I explore more efficient and effective practices.
Specifically, I’m interested in learning how your institution handles this process:

  *
Do you require individual certification for each student?
  *
If so, how many signatures are typically required (e.g., major professor, department head, academic dean, others)?
  *
If you use a form, how is it circulated and submitted?
  *
Alternatively, do you accept a compiled list from a graduate coordinator or department head?

I would also be grateful to hear:

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What aspects of your process work particularly well?
  *
Are there any practices you’ve tried that didn’t work and that you would advise against?

Your shared experiences and suggestions will be incredibly helpful as I work to streamline this process at our institution. Thank you in advance for your time and guidance.

Happy Friday,

Mary Edith😈

Mary Edith Stacy, PhD
Northwestern State University
Dean of the Graduate School
125 Caspari Hall
310 Sam Sibley Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71497
318.357.5720

Assistant Professor

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