Comprehensive Examinations
The Educational Administration Program written comprehensive examinations are a degree requirement for all graduate and post graduate programs in educational administration. It constitutes a comprehensive scholarly amalgamation of one's personal and professional knowledge base in educational administration as evidenced by effective written communication skills. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required for any individual desiring a graduate degree or initial certification in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
FAQs
Comprehensive Examinations
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There are six (6) questions and a case study to the comprehensive examination. Each question should be responded to based upon one's field of specialization (e.g. Principal, Superintendent, School Business Administrator, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education).
Students are required to take and pass a Comprehensive Exam (COMP exam) for each area of licensure. Each COMP exam will consist of 2-3 essay questions AND a case study review with follow-up questions.
The COMP Exam is different for each license and based on demonstrating competency for the specific area of licensure. As an example, the COMP Exam for the Director of Special Education/Pupil Services is specific to the role and responsibilities of the Director of Special Education/Pupil Services and not that of a Principal or Director of Instruction.
If a student is pursuing license as a Principal, Director of SPED, and Director of Instruction, the student will need to take three (3) different COMP Exams.
The COMP exam will be set up in the Canvas course shell at the beginning of the student’s last practicum course. i.e. EDAD 737 (Director of Special Education/Pupil Service), EDAD 707 (Director of Instruction), EDAD 727 (Principalship).
The COMP exam is a four (4) hour timed exam. Once the student opens the exam, the student must finish the exam in the four (4) hour time period. i.e. if the student opens the COMP exam at 1:00PM on February 12, 2021, the student must finish the exam no later than 5:00PM on February 12, 2021. The COMP exam is open book. Students are expected to apply research, knowledge obtained in the MSE Educational Administration program and use APA formatting when completing the exam.
University practicum supervisors are responsible for designing and grading the COMP Exam. Each COMP exam is scored using a COMP exam scoring rubric. Student must receive a Satisfactory or above (Exemplary) score in all areas of the scoring rubric to receive a passing score on the COMP exam.
The University practicum supervisor must provide the student with a pass/fail letter informing the student of the results of their COMP exam. If a student does not pass the COMP exam, the student may have an opportunity to re-take the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to re-take the exam with their University practicum supervisor.
The University practicum supervisor must turn in each student’s pass/fail letter AND scoring rubric to the Graduate AND Field Office to keep on file.
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The Educational Administration Program written comprehensive examinations are a degree requirement for all graduate and post graduate programs in educational administration. It constitutes a comprehensive scholarly amalgamation of one's personal and professional knowledge base in educational administration as evidenced by effective written communication skills. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required for any individual desiring a graduate degree or initial certification in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
The examinations are offered once during the fall and spring semesters as well as summer session during each academic year on-line through Canvas.
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Yes, one must pre-register for the examination by contacting the Educational Leadership office.
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Generally 3/4 of candidates pass the examination on the first attempt. The key to passing the examination on the first attempt is to study for the examination and practice writing. Those who take the examination lightly and do not prepare almost always end up retaking it.
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The theoretical aspects of a teacher's annual performance determination are based upon both a theoretical and summative evaluation process (Sergiovanni, 1999). Yet, realistically, teaching and curriculum are inseparable issues as suggested by Eisner in 1991. Thus, an amalgamation technique of clinical supervision of teachers (Acheson & Gall, 1992) appears to be the most efficacious model for the newly employed principal charged with improving teacher performance in the lowest achieving building in the district by the superintendent.
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- Use of only complete sentences and paragraphs, no outline
- No contractions or trendy language
- No discriminatory language
- APA style of referencing and acronym usage
- Proper tense and personage usage
- Give supporting evidence of knowledge
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Study all degree program materials and textbooks. Become familiar with referenced and supportive knowledge base resources.
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There is no limit. There are, however, time lines that one must wait to retake the examination until successful completion:
- First Attempt: Before taking the comps, one must have completed a minimum of 2/3 of the coursework in one's "certification only" program.
- Second Attempt: Next offering
- Third Attempt: Minimum wait of one semester and then the next offering
- Subsequent Attempt(s): Minimum wait of one year for each unsuccessful attempt and then the next offering