Comprehensive exams occur after the completion of course work and before the beginning of the dissertation. As a transition, the exams provide an opportunity to add both breadth and depth to your program of study.

Criteria for Evaluation of Comprehensive Exams 

1. Candidate engages in a sustained and unified critical argument in support of a central thesis statement through careful definition of key terms, attentive close reading, and effective analysis (of texts, contexts, discourses) 
2. Candidate synthesizes a varied, multi-authored range of sources from comps lists (3 to 5 texts for each exam essay as specified by exam question with no repetition of central texts under analysis between exam essays);
3. Candidate intervenes in disciplinary discourses or areas of expertise with unique insights and original thinking.
4. Candidate’s writing meets the mechanical and formal presentation requirements appropriate to professional academic writing.

 

Please refer to the more specific instructions that will be shared with you when you receive your exam questions from your Major Professor (there is a link to the exam instruction template that faculty use below).

Deadlines

Comprehensive exams must be completed no later than 12 calendar months after the completion of the student’s coursework.

Extensions may be granted on a per case basis. Students must apply to the Graduate Director or Department Chair for an extension. Extensions shall be in one semester increments, with a maximum of two. Students taking a leave of absence from the program do not need to apply for an exam extension. If a student does not complete the exams in the required time period, including approved extensions, they shall be removed from the program according to the guidelines set forth by the Graduate School. Students may appeal to the Academic Appeal Board per the Graduate School regulations.

Written Exam Structure

Students will prepare three lists in preparation for the exams. There will be two written examinations meeting the following specifications:

Exam 1:

• The first exam will survey the student’s knowledge of two related lists of titles, the first list, of primary texts (see below), and the second, of critical and theoretical texts. The student will provide a single rationale explaining the list areas, selections of individual works, and interrelation of lists.

• The student will determine the composition of this list in consultation with his or her major professor and core committee.
• To complete this exam, the student will write two essays totaling 30 double-spaced pages (15 double-spaced pages each) following either Chicago or MLA style guidelines. Each essay will respond to a question drawn from a list of at least four questions designed to elicit thinking critical writing from the student and to place the two Lists One and Two in conversation with each other.
• The student will have ten days to complete this part of the written comprehensive examination.

• The first list on this first exam will represent a historically defined core field. This core field list of 30-35 book-length works will consist of primary texts (with “primary texts” understood as principal objects of study, such as novels, poetry, plays, films, letters, diaries, or other appropriate documents).

• The second list on the first examination will contextualize the first in criticism and theory. This list must include secondary approaches to some of the primary texts, but it may also include theoretical and/or interdisciplinary titles that inform the approach the student has chosen to pursue. Significant articles may be included among the 30-35 titles on this list.

General Instructions for the Written Comprehensive Exam 1.

Exam 2:

• The second exam will test the student’s knowledge of a secondary core field or a sub-field.

• There should be no significant overlap with any of the material on the first exam.

• The student will determine the composition of this list in consultation with his or her major professor and core committee.

• This exam list will consist of 30-35 titles. Along with the list for this second exam, the student will prepare a rationale for it.
• The second exam will be taken within four weeks of the first exam. To complete this exam, the student will write one essay of 15 pages in length in response to a question chosen from a list of at least three.
• The second exam must be completed within 4 days. 
   

General Instructions for the Written Comprehensive Exam 2.

Oral Exam Structure

The comprehensive oral examination is distinguished from the oral defense of the dissertation proposal. 

The oral exam must take place within 4 weeks of the completion of the comprehensive examinations. This exam will be scheduled for two hours and will take the form of a rigorous discussion between the student and the student’s oral comprehensive exam committee of five faculty members (see below under “Committee members and Responsibilities.” Faculty questions will arise from the student’s exam rationales and lists, as well as from the responses from the written examinations. The dissertation prospectus is not part of the oral exam.

Remember that the Oral Exam must be taken within four weeks of the end of the Written Comprehensive Exam. Plan to complete both the Oral and Written Comprehensive Exams within one semester.

Department Responsibilities

The Department will arbitrate any disputes arising from students and committee members or major professor and shall seek a resolution that will help the student continue to be a productive member of the graduate student body. Disputes will be resolved in a timely manner.

Committee members and Responsibilities

As per the Graduate School Manual, the doctoral committee is composed of the major professor as chairperson and two additional members, one from within the Department and one from an outside area. This is the “core” committee that will guide the student toward completion of the written comprehensive exams. The major professor shall help the student understand the level of work required to pass exams at the University of Rhode Island.

At the time of the oral exam, two additional committee members shall be added to the “core” committee: one from within the Department and one from outside the department. The major professor will serve as chairperson of the oral comprehensive exam.

The committee shall be required to respond to student queries and written submissions in a timely manner (2 weeks) in order to aid students in meeting the time and deadline requirements of the comprehensive exam procedures.

Departmental Notes

The new comprehensive exam process will go into effect Fall 2025 and applies to all PhD students entering Fall 2025. Any current doctoral students who have not already passed their comprehensive exams by the beginning of Fall 2025 (as of September 3, 2025) have the option to take the written comprehensive exams under the old system or the new system.

Accommodations will be made for documented disabilities or illness.

A student who fails the Comprehensive Written Examination may be allowed one re-examination in the part or parts failed if recommended by the doctoral committee and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. A second examination, if permitted, may be taken only after a minimum of two weeks has passed to allow for additional student preparation. In all cases, a second examination must take place before one year has elapsed. (GSM 7.57.1.1 – please note this is not the Qualifying Examination. Scroll down to the Comprehensive [Written] Examination)

*Note—the Oral Defense of the Dissertation Proposal is part of the dissertation process and not the comprehensive examination. For further guidance, please see the Department and graduate school procedures.

 

Updated 9/2025