During the second semester of enrollment, the student, with committee approval, will establish and submit their program of study to the Graduate School and clarify plans for the comprehensive examination on a set of prescribed courses. Near the completion of course work, the student will write the comprehensive examination. If deemed necessary by any member of the student's committee after reading the written responses, an oral clarification examination may be required. Students writing a thesis will not be required to write a comprehensive examination. However, during the defense of the thesis, committee members will ask questions about material covered in courses taken in the student's master's program.