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Master's Examinations
Master’s Qualifying Examination
To test the student’s preparedness, a qualifying examination may be administered by the major department. The student usually takes the examination during the first year of attendance.
Master's Comprehensive Examination
Mandatory comprehensive examination requirement
Each candidate for a master's degree, including professional and/or seamless degrees, must pass a written and/or oral comprehensive examination. The examination covers subject matter included in the graduate program and any other material the examining committee considers pertinent. Comprehensive examinations are structured according to the department’s individual requirements.
Comprehensive examination and thesis defense
On thesis plans, the defense-of-thesis examination is also required. The comprehensive examination and the defense of thesis may be combined and offered at the same time.
Professional licensure/certification examinations
Examinations for professional licensure or certification may not be used for or in place of the comprehensive examination.
Comprehensive examination deadline
Two-thirds (2/3) of the course work required for a degree must generally be completed prior to sitting for the comprehensive exam.
The last day to take the comprehensive examination or defend a thesis if you plan to graduate during the same semester is on or before the fourteenth (14th) business day prior to the end of the semester.
Minimum registration to take an examination
A student must be registered for a minimum of three (3) credits at MSU during the term in which an examination is taken.
If a student wishes to sit for the comprehensive exam during the intersession (i.e. , the time between semesters), a student must be registered for a minimum of three (3) credits in the term prior to the intersession or the term immediately following the intersession.
Grading of the comprehensive examination
The comprehensive examination is graded with either a passing or failing grade determined by a majority committee vote. The student officially passes the examination when all concerns and deficiencies have been met and are deemed satisfactory by all Committee members.
Notice of results of the comprehensive examination
The Committee and department head are responsible for submitting written notice of the results of the comprehensive examination to the student and to the Division of Graduate Education no later than one (1) week after the examination is held or after each section is administered. If the written and oral sections are given at separate times, the results of each section must be reported in writing to the student and to the Division of Graduate Education no later than one (1) week after each section is completed by the student.
Failed Examination
A failure on any portion of the examination is considered to be a failed exam. A failed examination may be repeated one (1) time. At least two (2) months must elapse before the second examination may take place. Failure to pass a second examination results in termination of graduate study and dismissal from the academic program. Students who are dismissed from the program due to a failed comprehensive examination are ineligible to reapply to the same degree program at any time.
Invalid Examination
Examinations held in the absence of the chair or both individuals in case of co-chairs will be considered invalid and the exam will have to be rescheduled. The chair and/or co-chairs must be present throughout the entire examination.
All Committee members must be present at the comprehensive: Last minute Committee changes based on scheduling conflicts must be approved by the Division of Graduate Education.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all Committee members are available when scheduling an exam. Examinations held with only two Committee members present will be invalidated.
Defense of Thesis
On thesis plans, the defense-of-thesis examination is required. The comprehensive examination and the defense of thesis may be combined and offered at the same time.
Minimum credit registration to defend the thesis
A student must be registered for a minimum of three (3) credits at MSU during the term in which the thesis is defended.
If a student wishes to sit for the thesis defense during the intersession (i.e. , the time between semesters), the student must be registered for a minimum of three (3) credits the term prior to the intersession or the term immediately following the intersession.
Scheduling the thesis defense
The last day to defend a thesis is on or before the published deadline (generally on or before the fourteenth 14thworking day prior to the end of the semester.)
Advertising the defense
The following information may be published in the Division of Graduate Education “News and Announcements” Bulletin on the DGE website:
a) the name of the candidate;
b) title of the master’s thesis;
c) time and place of defense; and
d) the place where a copy of the thesis may be obtained for inspection.
Posting the above information is not mandatory for Master’s students.
Committee representation at the thesis defense
If a master’s student chooses to have more than the minimum of three members on his/her graduate Committee, all members must be present at the comprehensive and/or the defense of thesis. Last minute committee changes based on scheduling conflicts must be approved by the Division of Graduate Education.
Invalid Defense of Thesis
A defense of thesis held in the absence of the chair (or both individuals in case of co-chairs) will be considered invalid and the exam will have to be rescheduled. The chair and/or co-chairs must be present throughout the entire defense. Examinations held with only two Committee members present will be invalidated.
Grading of the thesis defense
The defense of thesis is graded with either a passing or failing grade—determined by a majority committee vote. The student officially passes the defense when all concerns and deficiencies have been addressed and are deemed satisfactory by all Committee members.
One week notice of results of the thesis defense
The graduate committee and department head are responsible for providing written notice of the results of the defense to the student and to the Division of Graduate Education no later than one (1) week after the defense is held.
Failed defense
A failed defense may be repeated one (1) time. At least two (2) months must elapse before the second defense takes place. Failure to successfully pass the defense of thesis results in termination of graduate study and dismissal from the academic program. Students who are dismissed from the program due to failure to pass the defense are ineligible to reapply to the same degree program at any time.
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