University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

PhD Program: Comprehensive Examination

Purpose
Before admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. in Clinical Sciences, each student must pass a comprehensive examination in the field of concentration and related fields. This examination will include both a written exam requirement (an NIH-like grant proposal on the student's dissertation topic of interest) and an oral presentation/exam on both the student's proposal and other clinical science topics.
Pre-Exam Package
A month prior to the date of the comprehensive examination, students should download their comp packet via the Graduate School website. These materials must be completed in a timely manner. Failure to submit these forms at least two weeks prior to the exam date will result in mandatory rescheduling.
Scheduling
At least one full semester in advance of the planned comprehensive exam date, students will need to contact the Program Director's office to schedule their exam. The students must declare their field of specialization (CI, HSR, or HIT track) at this time. Due to limited faculty availability during Summer semester, comprehensive exams will normally be available only during Fall and Spring semesters. Students should plan to set aside a half day (4 hours) to take the oral component of the comprehensive exam.
Room Scheduling/Support Services
Students will work with the UCDHSC Educational Support Services for classroom support such as reserving a room and supporting equipment for the student as appropriate.
Faculty Committee Process
The comprehensive examination shall be conducted by a Comprehensive Examining Committee (CEC) appointed by the Program Director - with the advice of the student - and approved by the Campus Graduate Dean. The CEC shall consist of five members of the graduate faculty (including at least one member who is outside of the CLSC faculty and at least three members designated as CLSC Graduate Faculty members). The CEC chair is to be identified at the time the student's specialization is declared in a method to be prescribed by the Program Director. The student's research mentor may not be selected as one of the five appointed CEC members. As a formal program request, however, the research mentor will be expected to attend the student's oral exam presentation.
Exam Development and Grading
For the comprehensive exam, the students will submit their dissertation project proposal in an NIH-grant format to the CEC Chair and the CLSC Program Director's office at least one month in advance of the planned oral presentation date. When the student's dissertation project proposal is submitted, a CLSC program-wide announcement will be distributed to both faculty and students of the planned date, time, location, and topic for the student's oral presentation. The student presentation will be held as an open session. The CEC Committee examination and deliberations, however, will be held in closed session.
To have a passing grade assigned, the majority of the Student's Advisory Committee members must agree that the student passed the oral exam. If all or any part of the comprehensive exam is failed, then the student may not retake the exam. As appropriate, a conditional pass may be recommended with the exam to be continued at a later date. If the student fails this exam, then the CLSC Program Director will recommend dismissal from the program to the Graduate School.
Exam Paperwork
Complete the 2 forms on the Graduate School Student Services web page, following the instructions within. The two forms are due to the Graduate School, signed, no later than two weeks prior to your comps. The Graduate School handbook provides useful information.