Masters Degree reading list and comprehensive Written Examination - Graduate Handbook

A reading list (attached at the end of this handbook) is used as a supplemental guide in preparing for the comprehensive written examination, which is required of all master's candidates (see Section XI, 2). Questions on this examination will test the student's knowledge of Linguistics, Old Spanish as well as his or her literary appreciation of those works studied in course work (both survey and seminar courses) and those included on the reading list. Even if a student does not take a core course in a particular century or period, he or she is still responsible for being able to discuss intelligently the appropriate texts.

The written comprehensive examinations which are required of all master's candidates, are normally taken during the last semester of course work, except if students plan to graduate during summer semester (See item below). The examination is given in three sessions. Graduate professors are responsible for writing questions for their particular specialties.

In order to meet Graduate School deadlines, the following regulations apply:

1. Students who plan to present a Master's thesis should complete the comprehensive exams the semester prior to expected graduation.
2. No student with outstanding incomplete courses in Spanish or a minor area may be allowed to take this examination.
3. Prior to taking the examination the students must have the minimum GPA needed to graduate in order to take these exams.
4. No student will be allowed to take the Comprehensive Examination if the language requirement has not been fulfilled unless he or she plans to graduate summer semester.

Format and Schedule for Comprehensive Examinations:

The comprehensive examination will begin on the ninth Monday of the semester and will continue on the succeeding Wednesday and Friday. They may be scheduled for fall and spring semester. Comprehensive exams may not be scheduled for summer semester because the entire full-time Spanish faculty is not available during summer semester. Students whose final courses are taken during the summer semester, either on campus or abroad shall take the comprehensive examinations during the prior spring semester or the following fall semester.   

The ten areas that comprise the Master's program are divided into three groups for the purpose of examination. Area exams for each group will not vary; however, each semester the order of the groups will rotate. The Director of Graduate Studies will provide the sequence of the three groups at the beginning of each semester.

1. The examination will be based on the Master's Reading list. As part of the options, faculty may include questions related to additional works read in survey and seminar courses.

2. Students will bring to the exam large-size blue examination booklets. (One for each area).

3. No dictionary or any other book or notebook may be used for reference during the examination.

4. The examination will be taken in the department's library, or in another suitable location.

5. The examination will be written in ink.

6. Students will answer all questions in Spanish.
7. In each area tested, the questions will try to provide the student with some kind of a choice.

8. If a student fails a large section of the examination to the extent that it is of vital importance to the overall average of the exam, the student may re-take the complete exam again. If the student fails only selected parts, then the student will re-take only those parts.

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Last updated September 22, 2004