Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/1533451
44 Failing grades on overall Comprehensive Exam Failure of First Attempt: Failing the first attempt for comprehensive examinations means receiving 1) a failing grade on either the overall exam or 2) failing one or more exam questions. Students who fail (i.e., a single question or entire exam) their first attempt are able to rewrite the exam one time within one month of their initial exam. Students who fail only one question and still achieve an overall passing score only need to rewrite that one question. Students who do not achieve a passing score on the overall exam or fail two or more questions must rewrite the entire exam. Students who fail their first attempt and its rewrite, may register to take the exam for a second time. Note: If a student registers for comprehensive exams but does not show for the exam, this is counted as a failed attempt. Failure of Second Attempt: Failing the second attempt for comprehensive examinations means receiving a failing grade for the entire examination as noted above or a failing grade on one or more question(s). Students who fail (i.e., a single question or entire exam) their second attempt are able to rewrite the exam one time within one month of their initial exam. Students who fail their second attempt and its rewrite may register to take the exam for a third and final time, but only after completing at least one additional course of academic work in the student's area of perceived weakness as determined by the Academic Dean and the division/department involved. Failure of Third (Final) Attempt: Students who fail the exam for a third time will not be allowed to graduate. If a student registers for comprehensive exams and withdraws after the add/drop date (see the Adding/Dropping Courses policy) they will be subject to the comprehensive exam drop fee. Appeal of a Comprehensive Exam Grade Students who wish to contest a grade on a comprehensive exam (or the process used to arrive at that grade) must do so within one year of receipt of that grade. Because the setting and the grading of a comprehensive exam are conducted by the department concerned rather than a single faculty member, the student should write an appeal and submit it to the Academic Dean. The appeal will be given to a committee composed of a faculty mediator (assigned by the Academic Dean) and a representative from Student Life, who will work towards mediation with the student. If the matter remains unresolved, the student may appeal directly to the Academic Dean (see the Student Handbook for submitting an appeal). DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY COMPREHENSIVE EXAM Programs offering comprehensive exams shall make available to students procedures and policies regarding the taking and grading of their exams. Students must register for comprehensive exams ('EX' course code) as a course during the normal registration period and deadlines for the semester they wish to take the exam. The use of "Fall III term" throughout this policy references a PhD student's third fall of enrollment in the PhD program.