The intent of the comprehensive written and oral examination is to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the student’s knowledge of Counselor Education and Supervision than can be completed in an individual course. The comprehensive written and oral examination is centered on the 5 core areas of CES. The comprehensive written and oral examination is to be taken at the completion of the student’s course work (CES 88292 Internship in CES may be incomplete at the time of the comprehensive examination); that is, all course work listed as part of the Prospectus & Residency Plan must be completed before the student is eligible to take the comprehensive written and oral examination EXCEPT ELECTIVES.
There are five core areas of the CES Doctoral Comprehensive Examinations which include:
- Counseling
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Leadership and Advocacy
- Research and Scholarship
The written comprehensive examination will be offered SIX times during the academic year (Fall semester: September 1, October 1, November 1 and Spring semester: February 1, March 1 and April 1).
In the CES Ph.D. program, students complete the written portion of the comprehensive examination in five weeks. At the student’s request, the two CES faculty co-advisors help prepare the student for the five areas to be covered on the written portion of the examination; note that it is the student’s responsibility to schedule a meeting(s) with co-advisors to assist with preparation.
Once the written portion of the examination has been completed, the Advisory Committee (CES co-advisors) may determine that the student 1) has successfully passed the written examination and is ready for the oral examination, or 2) determine that there is a deficiency, and that re-writing is necessary. The Advisory Committee (CES co-advisors) must indicate a satisfactory performance on the “written portion” of the examination before the student can schedule the “oral portion” of the examination.
Once a doctoral student receives the five questions for the CES written comprehensive exam, this is considered the first administration. Students have TWO opportunities to pass the written comprehensive exam per the EHHS Graduate Student Handbook. For further information on guidance to the comprehensive exams, refer to the CES Doctoral Handbook.