Qualifying / Comprehensive Exams Accommodations

Accommodations for major exams required by graduate programs, such as qualifying, comprehensive, or dissertation defenses, are determined by Student Disability Resources (SDR) in consultation with the student’s graduate program and/or associated committees. This process is individualized and considers the nature of the exam, the student’s functional limitations, and the academic standards of the program.

Accommodations

Examples for written and/or oral components include:

  • Flexibility for extended time to complete the written portion of the comprehensive exam (e.g., 48 additional hours)
  • Structured notes for use during oral or written exams
  • Permission to record discussions or committee deliberation results
  • Permission to have oral Q&A questions written out by the examining committee in real time (e.g., using an iPad or other device)
  • Closed format (e.g., private meeting) rather than public defense
Important Note: Graduate students are encouraged to begin the accommodation process well in advance of their scheduled exam date to allow time for coordination between SDR, faculty, and relevant committees.