Family, Consumer, and Human Development
Death & Burial Practices from Around the World at the Museum of Anthropology
From cremations to burials at sea, each culture has its…
Swaner EcoCenter: Saturday Climbing Wall
Climbing Wall Hours: Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. The Swaner…
Swaner EcoCenter: Beaver - Nuisance or Restoration Partner?
Beaver – Nuisance or Restoration Partner?…
Comprehensive Exam Menus
Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam
*Revised April, 2012
The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to ensure that Ph.D graduates are capable of integrating perspectives on family relations, human development, and research methods. We expect graduates from our Ph.D. program to possess a comprehensive understanding of the theories that guide research on contemporary issues in family relations and human development, as well as the research tools that are used to investigate these issues. Successful completion of the comprehensive exam provides assurance that our Ph.D. graduates have a level of understanding that would qualify them for teaching introductory courses in human development and family relations, and enable them to use this knowledge in integrative, intelligent, and creative ways. We also hope that the comprehensive exam process (preparation, written responses, and oral performance) will provide optimal preparation for professional situations, such as employment interviews, where participants are required to think quickly and respond to questions with a working knowledge of family relations and human development.
While much of the material necessary for successful completion of the comprehensive exam process is included in required and elective course work within the program, we expect that you will find additional reliable resources from scholarly materials outside of curricular requirements (such as preparing a literature review for a research project, finding resources for a class lecture, resource materials for a thesis or dissertation).