UW-Madison School of Nursing
Ph.D. Program: Comprehensive/Candidacy Examination Guidelines

Purpose of the Examination

The purpose of the comprehensive/candidacy examination is to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of content in the: (a) disciplinary core; (b) secondary concentration area; and (c) theories and methods of inquiry, such as philosophy of science, measurement, statistics, and bioethics including scientific integrity. The student is challenged by the questions to integrate knowledge from the disciplinary core and the secondary concentration area. Successful completion of the examination advances the student to candidacy and signals readiness to conduct independent research.

Policies Guiding the Examination

1. Each student takes the examination at or near the completion of course work, excluding the dissertation. Students should complete an "intent to write comprehensive examination" form available in the Doctoral Program Office at least 6 weeks prior to writing the examination. Specific requirements include the completion of:

   1. the MS in nursing. Generally, students will be expected to have completed nine population focused credits, six nursing research credits, three clinical field study credits, and master's thesis/project or research practicum. Transcripts of students with master's degrees from other universities will be reviewed for equivalency.

   2. the three disciplinary core courses (N860, N861 and N862) and at least one nursing seminar (N991).

   3. a minimum of 12 credits of foundation courses and advanced seminars in the area of secondary concentration.

   4. a minimum of 6 credits in research methods and statistics and 2 credits in philosophy of science and 1 credit of ethics.

   5. any incompletes or grades of progress (P) in non-research courses.

   6. the PhD residence requirement.

2. In collaboration with the major professor, the student selects a faculty committee - Comprehensive Examination Committee (CEC), to develop, read, and grade the examination. The CEC has a minimum of three and a maximum of five members who must have Graduate Faculty membership. The committee is composed of the Major Professor, the Secondary Concentration Advisor, and at least one other member from the School of Nursing. Committee composition is reported to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

3. The examination will be scheduled by the major professor and student with input from the committee.

4. Based upon the students' program of study (course work) and research interest, in consultation with the student, and under the direction of the major professor the CEC develops a set of questions that represent content: (a) from the disciplinary core; (b) from the secondary concentration area; (c) bridging or integrating the disciplinary core and secondary concentration area; and (d) from theories and methods of inquiry. Students will be given a choice in the questions to answer at the time of the exam. The number of questions the students must write should not exceed six. The CEC will provide study questions and/or other means of assisting the student to prepare for the examination. Prior to the exam students and CEC members will discuss the criteria the faculty will use in grading the examination.

5. The CEC, in consultation with the student, will specify whether the examination is to be held over two consecutive days for a maximum of six hours each at the School of Nursing or a "take home" over a one week period. The availability of materials during the test period will be determined by the major professor.

6. The major professor discusses with each CEC member, which exam question that member will read and grade. Each question is graded by at least two CEC members. Each examination question is graded by each reader of that question as: (a) pass with distinction, (b) pass, or (c) fail. The major professor obtains a ballot for the CEC from G. Barber. A simple majority constitutes a pass for each question. For CECs with an even number of members, a tie vote constitutes a fail. The results of the examination are conveyed to the student in a timely manner by the Major Professor. The Major Professor is encouraged to convene the CEC for a discussion of the results with the student.

7. The student must pass each question to achieve candidacy. Any question on which the student receives a grade of fail may be retaken once. The major professor and the student will determine when the retake of any questions should occur. If the student would like any phase of the examination reviewed, she or he may submit a written request to the Graduate Programs Committee.

8. The Major Professor is responsible for all procedural communications appropriate to the examination. Copies of these communications should be sent to the Associate Dean by the Major Professor. Upon notification of successful completion of the examination, the Associate Dean's office will file the Preliminary/Comprehensive Warrant with the Graduate School signifying the achievement of candidacy.