TO: Doctoral Students Taking the Comprehensive Exams

Northern Arizona University College of Education Educational Leadership Department P. O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 Phone: 928/523-3202 Fax: 928/523-5715

FROM: Dr. Ric Wiggall, Chair, Doctoral Steering Committee

DATE: April 3, 2018

RE: GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

The comprehensive examination allows the doctoral student the opportunity to synthesize knowledge at an advanced academic level; each category represented in the Program of Studies is included in the comprehensive examination. It is not simply another final exam on courses completed, but rather reflects your ability to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of your field of study.

Following is a brief synopsis of the steps required to complete the comprehensive examination:

1. You must have completed all course work except for Dissertation Seminar (EDR 798) and one of the following: research, evaluation or statistics electives. You will sign up for EDR 798 the semester you take the comprehensive exams. EDR 798 will begin after the exams are administered.

2. You must complete the registration form found on our web page and you must have your ADVISOR SIGN the form. 3. All material must be postmarked by the date due for each section of the exam.

THE EXAMINATION CONSISTS OF THREE (3) MAJOR PORTIONS AND IS ORGANIZED AS FOLLOWS:

 THE FOLLOWING SECTION IS TAKE-HOME

A. Education Foundations: All students must write in two (2) Foundations areas. This portion of the comprehensive exam will be a take-home. Questions will be e-mailed on the morning of Friday, September 2, 2011. If you do not receive your questions by 9:00 a.m., please contact the EDL Office at 928/523-3202 or e-mail to [email protected].

B. A hard copy of answers for the Foundations portion of the comprehensive exam must be delivered to the Education Leadership Office at P.O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 by September 23, 2011 by 4:00 PM. They may also be sent by registered mail to NAU - EDL Comprehensive Exams, P.O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 with a date stamp no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2011. Also include an electronic version of your answer on a CD in IBM format.

D:\Docs\2017-12-14\08b72f1f8c058f58a2b543dc974fb37d.doc

of 2  THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) SECTIONS ARE TIMED ON -SITE EXAMS AND WILL BE TAKEN:

Location will be announced at a later date

C. Research, Evaluation and Statistics: The research portion of the exam consists of a comprehensive analysis of a research problem by reviewing the research methodology, design, and data analysis. This portion of the comprehensive exam will be given during the morning (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon) of Friday, September 30, 2011.

D. General Educational Leadership: All students must take this four-hour portion of the exam that requires an understanding of leadership and organizational theories, application strategies and change processes in educational organizations. This portion will be geared towards your area of specialization: either K-12 or CC/HE. This portion of the comprehensive examination will be given during the afternoon (1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) of Friday, September 30, 2011.

WARNING: Comprehensive examination candidates MAY NOT access internet web resources during the timed/sit-down portions of the examination. Any attempts to do so may result in invalidation of the candidate's entire comprehensive examination results as well as appropriate disciplinary action as per the NAU Student Handbook. Computer use is restricted to word processing software and printing only!

Please be advised all comprehensive exam answers will be checked by software designed to assess academic integrity.

Preparation for the Examination: Thorough preparation is essential. Before you take the exams, discuss specific study suggestions with your advisor as well as with faculty members responsible for preparing examination questions. Many students find it useful to organize study groups to share resources. Study guides are available on the EdD WebCT for most areas. The website is: http://coe.nau.edu/academics/edl/downloads.php.

Educational Leadership Comprehensive Exam Schedule

September 2, 2011: Take-home Foundations sections sent out via e-mail by 9:00 a.m.

September 23, 2011: Foundations answers returned to the Educational Leadership Office P.O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. Provide an electronic copy of your answer on a R/W CD U.S. mail must be postmarked by 4:00 p.m. and sent to the above address on September 17, 2010.

September 30, 2011: Comprehensive exams held (Location TBA) (Research – Friday, September 30, 2011 (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon) (General Educational Leadership - Friday, September 30, 2011 (1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

To Be Announced: Written notice of comprehensive exam results will be sent to you via U.S. mail.

D:\Docs\2017-12-14\08b72f1f8c058f58a2b543dc974fb37d.doc