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Comprehensive Examinations

The date for comprehensive exams is October 23, 2008, for students graduating in Fall 2008.

Comprehensive Exam Application Form

• Whether you are receiving the Master of Science in Physical Education (Health Education/Health Promotion emphasis) degree OR the Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion (Health Promotion emphasis), you will have to complete an application for comprehensive exam form, if you have not yet completed comprehensive exams.
• If you are planning to graduate in Fall 2008, the deadline to complete the comprehensive exam application form is October 10, 2008.  Otherwise, the deadline to apply for comprehensive examinations for each semester is in the Graduate Bulletin (http://www.msstate.edu/dept/grad/calendar.htm), or you may contact your advisor for the date.  You must submit this form by the deadline, along with the appropriate fee, in order to graduate.
• Please return all comprehensive exam application forms to Dr. Barry Hunt at P.O. Box 9805, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
• If you are interested in taking the comprehensive exams, please contact Dr. Hunt for more information: bhunt@fsnhp.msstate.edu.

Comprehensive Exam Information

**You must be enrolled at Mississippi State University during the semester in which you wish to take comprehensive exams in order to be eligible.**

• Please note that successful completion of the comprehensive exam is a requirement for graduation. 
• Dates for taking the comprehensive exam will be posted as they become available, or you may contact Dr. Barry Hunt.
• You must be within six (6) hours of graduating and/or in your final semester in the program and enrolled in an MSU class (as opposed to transfer credit) in order to qualify to take the comprehensive exams.
• Distance education students can take the exam on the MSU campus or locate a proctor to give the exam at their location.
• Students who wish to use a proctor must identify this person on our Comprehensive Exam Application Form. We then contact the proctor and confirm his or her willingness/suitability to serve in that capacity. Exam materials are then sent, via e-mail to the proctor for test day. Completed exams are returned to Dr. Barry Hunt by the proctor immediately upon completion of the exam.
• Other information regarding comprehensive exams can be accessed by using the “Advising” link on the distance program homepage  at http://www.distance.msstate.edu/health/advising.htm
• The comprehensive examination consists of a day-long exam (given in two, three- hour sessions) covering the Core classes in the program. The five classes covered are FNH 8593, FNH 8523, FNH 8553, FNH 8613, and FNH 8653. The exams are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Students failing the written portion of the exam may, at the discretion of program faculty, be given the opportunity to remediate shortcomings.
• Failure to pass the comprehensive exams will otherwise result in dismissal from the graduate program.
• For more information about comprehensive examinations contact you faculty advisor.

Exam Procedures:

In order to remain consistent with on-campus students, exams are given in two sessions, each lasting three hours. In session one, questions for FNH/PE 8523, FNH/PE 8613, and FNH/PE 8653 will be given. In session two, questions for FNH/PE 8513 and FNH/PE 8553 will be given. On-campus students complete their exams from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM. You must complete your answers using a computer. Answers must be formatted in Microsoft Word. You may use a computer at the proctor’s location or provide your own laptop. Please include answers to each set of questions in a file named with the course number for those questions. Upon completion of the exam, all files should be forwarded immediately to Dr. Hunt at bhunt@fsnhp.msstate.edu no later than 10:00 AM on October 24, 2008 for students’ graduating in Fall 2008.

Grading:

Exams will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Each instructor grades the answers for his/her own course. Students will be notified by Dr. Hunt of their results as soon as possible. It usually takes approximately one week for exams to be graded and results reported.

Notes:

1. You may not use any outside materials or references when completing your exam.
2. Since the exams are graded on a pass/fail basis, it is very important that you provide as thorough an answer as possible for each question. All questions require written answers (essay, listing, etc). Be sure to respond in the manner asked for in the question.
3. Per MSU policy, students not passing the comprehensive exam may be dismissed from their graduate program OR offered an opportunity to remediate their answers. The decision to dismiss a student or allow remediation is at the discretion of program faculty.
4. Prepare as thoroughly as you can for comprehensive exams. If you have any questions prior to the exam, contact your instructor for that course or Dr. Hunt for assistance.