Comprehensive Exams Reform
General Information
The department is currently considering a number of changes to the comprehensive exams. On this page, you can find information about the proposed reforms and the PSGSC's points of action. The department has issued a draft of the new guidelines, which is available below.
Methods Minor
Some students have expressed concern about the methods minor. If you are a methods minor, or are considering a methods minor, please read the proposed guidelines below as well as the PSGSC proposal. Then, please fill out the survey below.
The following guidelines have been proposed by the faculty:
Students wishing to have methodology as their second field must complete all requirements for the minor by May 15 of the student's third year. If a student does not pass the first exam (i.e., if the faculty committee requires revisions of the paper and a second oral exam), all revisions and the second oral exam must be completed by the May 15 deadline. Consequently, students are encouraged to submit their paper and take their first oral exam sufficiently in advance of the May 15 deadline to allow time for revisions and a second oral exam before this deadline. Students who do not pass the exam and complete all course requirements for the methods minor by the May 15 deadline will not pass the methods minor and thus will not be allowed to continue towards the Ph.D.