MASTER'S EXAMINATIONS
In addition to the usual examinations on course work, there are three types of special examinations that may apply in some programs leading to the Master's degree:
1) Qualifying Examinations: A qualifying examination is one in which the student is asked to demonstrate a reasonable mastery of the fundamentals in the major subject; it is designed to test the student's preparation for advanced graduate work. If such an examination is required, it must be administered and passed before the student registers for the final year of Master's work.
2) Comprehensive Examinations: The comprehensive examination is one in which the student is asked to demonstrate a reasonable mastery of the field of specialization; it is designed to test the student's command of knowledge and ability to integrate that knowledge, after completion of all or most of the graduate course work. Normally, this examination is written at the end of the student's final year of study for the Master's degree.
3) Final Examinations: The final examination of a candidate for a Master's degree is an oral defense of the thesis, major paper, or project.