Northern Arizona University
College of Education
Educational Leadership Department
P. O. Box 5774
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Phone: 928/523-3202 Fax: 928/523-5715
TO:
Doctoral Students Taking the Comprehensive Exams
FROM:
Dr. Ric Wiggall, Chair, Doctoral Steering Committee
DATE:
June 29, 2016
RE:
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
The comprehensive examination allows the doctoral student the opportunity to synthesize knowledge
at an advanced academic level; each category represented in the Program of Studies is included in
the comprehensive examination. It is not simply another final exam on courses completed, but rather
reflects your ability to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of your field of study.
Following is a brief synopsis of the steps required to complete the comprehensive examination:
1. You must have completed all course work except for Dissertation Seminar (EDR 798) and one of
the following: research, evaluation or statistics electives. You will sign up for EDR 798 the
semester you take the comprehensive exams. EDR 798 will begin after the exams are
administered.
2. You must complete the registration form found on our web page and you must have your
ADVISOR SIGN the form.
3. All material must be postmarked by the date due for each section of the exam.
THE EXAMINATION CONSISTS OF THREE (3) MAJOR PORTIONS AND IS ORGANIZED AS
FOLLOWS:

THE FOLLOWING SECTION IS TAKE-HOME
A. Education Foundations: All students must write in two (2) Foundations areas. This portion of
the comprehensive exam will be a take-home. Questions will be e-mailed on the morning of
Friday, September 2, 2011. If you do not receive your questions by 9:00 a.m., please contact the
EDL Office at 928/523-3202 or e-mail to Jennifer.Offutt@nau.edu.
B. A hard copy of answers for the Foundations portion of the comprehensive exam must be
delivered to the Education Leadership Office at P.O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 by
September 23, 2011 by 4:00 PM. They may also be sent by registered mail to NAU - EDL
Comprehensive Exams, P.O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 with a date stamp no later than 4:00
p.m. Friday, September 23, 2011. Also include an electronic version of your answer on a CD in
IBM format.
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
THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) SECTIONS ARE TIMED ON -SITE EXAMS AND WILL BE TAKEN:
Location will be announced at a later date
C. Research, Evaluation and Statistics: The research portion of the exam consists of a
comprehensive analysis of a research problem by reviewing the research methodology, design,
and data analysis. This portion of the comprehensive exam will be given during the morning (8:00
a.m. - 12:00 noon) of Friday, September 30, 2011.
D. General Educational Leadership: All students must take this four-hour portion of the exam that
requires an understanding of leadership and organizational theories, application strategies and
change processes in educational organizations. This portion will be geared towards your area of
specialization: either K-12 or CC/HE. This portion of the comprehensive examination will be given
during the afternoon (1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) of Friday, September 30, 2011.
WARNING: Comprehensive examination candidates MAY NOT access internet web resources during
the timed/sit-down portions of the examination. Any attempts to do so may result in invalidation of the
candidate's entire comprehensive examination results as well as appropriate disciplinary action as per
the NAU Student Handbook. Computer use is restricted to word processing software and printing
only!
Please be advised all comprehensive exam answers will be checked by software designed to
assess academic integrity.
Preparation for the Examination: Thorough preparation is essential. Before you take the exams,
discuss specific study suggestions with your advisor as well as with faculty members responsible for
preparing examination questions. Many students find it useful to organize study groups to share
resources. Study guides are available on the EdD WebCT for most areas. The website is:
http://coe.nau.edu/academics/edl/downloads.php.
Educational Leadership
Comprehensive Exam Schedule
September 2, 2011:
September 23, 2011:
Take-home Foundations sections sent out via e-mail by 9:00 a.m.
Foundations answers returned to the Educational Leadership Office
P.O. Box 5774 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Provide an electronic copy of your answer on a R/W CD
U.S. mail must be postmarked by 4:00 p.m. and sent to the above
address on September 17, 2010.
September 30, 2011:
Comprehensive exams held (Location TBA)
(Research – Friday, September 30, 2011 (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
(General Educational Leadership - Friday, September 30, 2011
(1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
To Be Announced:
Written notice of comprehensive exam results will be sent to
you via U.S. mail.
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