All MAPA students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination as a part of their degree requirements. The examination may be taken in the semester in which the student completes all course work (with the possible exception of the graduate school research tool, alternate plan paper or thesis) or in any subsequent semester. The student's examining committee must approve any exceptions. The examination consists of a number of case-based questions requiring the student to analyze a situation and to apply knowledge based on the core courses in the program. The written examination is followed by an oral examination. Students should note the following steps and details about the process.
1. Students must apply for the comprehensive examination before the end of the third full week of the semester. The application is to include the student's address, telephone number, and a statement indicating that MAPA courses have been successfully completed. The student may apply in person, by phone (507-389-2721), or by E-mail (patricia.davis@mnsu.edu) to the Department Office Manager.
2. The comprehensive examination will be administered fall and spring semester of each academic year. For each semester the examination is given students are to receive the examination questions at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday of the seventh week of instruction with answers to examination questions being returned by the student to the Department Political Science Office Manager by 12:00 p.m. the following Monday. The oral part of the examination will be administered during the tenth week of the semester.
3. Prior to the comprehensive examination students will be mailed confirmation of their acceptance into the examination process, confirmation of the time and place of the written examination, and the date and time of the oral part of the examination.
4. The student's written product may not exceed 20 pages, exclusive of bibliography and appendices. The product must follow a standard and acceptable style manual format (e.g. APA, APSA, Chicago, other as accepted), be double-spaced, with standard margins and fonts (no exotic fonts), and be properly annotated, cited and referenced. Students are to return two copies of the examination in sealed envelopes to the Department of Political Science Office Manager by the designated time.
5. The student is permitted to consult with others and is encouraged to access any other sources of information in preparing a written product. However, the final product must be that of the student. The product is to be comprehensive and is to address the issues stated in the questions. The product must reflect clear, concise written communication that illustrates the student's familiarity with the literature and the theories that drive administrative functions and processes.
6. The comprehensive examination questions are written by two MAPA program faculty members designated by the department graduate director. They also read and evaluate the student's written product. The examiner's evaluations are available to the student's MAPA committee.
7. Students will be notified of the results of the written part of the examination by mail. A mark of "fail" ends the MAPA student's comprehensive examination process for that semester. For students who have passed the written part of the examination the examiners will give written comments to help the student prepare for the oral part of the examination.
8. The oral part of the comprehensive examination is administered by the designated faculty members and takes the form of a seminar. The faculty members and the students interact on a variety of subjects coming out of the students written products. The seminar is open to any interested person. The MAPA students are informed of the passage or non-passage of this final part of the comprehensive examination at the end of the seminar.
9. Students who fail any part of the examination may retake the entire comprehensive examination once. The failed student may be advised to take additional course work and other advice might be given. Failure to successfully pass the examination the second time will result in dismissal from the MAPA program.
