Comprehensive Exam Overview

Comprehensive Exam Overview

The comprehensive examination is a pivotal milestone in a student’s PhD journey designed to assess their breadth and depth of knowledge in their chosen area of social work scholarship. 

Successfully completing the Comprehensive Exam enables students to develop and demonstrate their capacity for independent critical analysis, research, and writing by showcasing the following: 

1. A comprehensive understanding of the broader research area related to their specialization. 
2. The relevance and potential contribution of their proposed dissertation topic to the field of social work. 
3. The ability to articulate an independent, critical perspective on the chosen area. 

This critical assessment of theory and research serves as a foundation for formulating the research question(s) to be addressed in the dissertation. 

NOTE: See additional details below regarding the submission timeline, procedures and guidelines for the Comprehensive Exam Proposal, the Annotated Reading List and Comprehensive Exam. 

Guidelines for Completing the Comprehensive Exam

The Comprehensive Exam is typically a year-long endeavor comprised of the following phases: 1) development of the comprehensive exam proposal in consultation with the thesis supervisor, 2) a take-home test that is written independently by the student, and 3) assessment of the exam with potential revisions, under the guidance of the thesis supervisor. 

The guidelines below provide details on the requirements and procedures for preparing for and completing the Comprehensive Exam.

Overview of Comprehensive Exam Procedures

• Completion of Comprehensive Exam Prerequisites
• Selection of Second Reader who will assess the exam with the supervisor 
• Enrolment in SWK8000H
• Submission of the Comprehensive Exam Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
• Submission of the Comprehensive Exam for assessment
• Assessment of the Comprehensive Exam by the Supervisor and Second Reader
• Revision and Final Submission of the Final Comprehensive Exam

Steps for Completing the Comprehensive Exam

Comprehensive Exam Prerequisites

Students must complete the following program requirements before they are eligible to
enroll in SWK8000H to complete the Comprehensive Exam:

• the First Year Doctoral Symposium
• the Comprehensive Exam Seminar (SWK7000H)
• at least 9 of the 10 half-credit PhD course requirements

Second Reader Selection

• Prior to enrolling in SWK8000H, the student must notify the PhD Program of their selection of the Second Reader (to be identified in consultation with the student’s supervisor).  
• The second reader provides a formal assessment of the final comprehensive exam paper and thus, must be a faculty member at FIFSW who is a full or associate member of the School of Graduate Studies (e.g., tenured, tenure-stream, teaching-stream, status-only, visiting, adjunct). 
• The second reader should be selected based on their knowledge of the student’s area of practice, policy, and/or research interests. Although it is not required, faculty who serve as a second assessor are often invited to be a member of the student’s Supervisory Committee, as their involvement in the Comprehensive Exam process can support the student in the development of their thesis research.  

NOTE: See Comprehensive Exam Supervisor and Second Reader Membership Form. 

Enrolment in SWK8000H

• Students must enroll in SWK8000H to take the Comprehensive Exam during the second or third session of Year Two (e.g., Winter or Summer session).
• To enroll in the Comprehensive Exam, students must submit the completed and signed SGS Add/Drop Form (PDF) AND the completed Comprehensive Exam Supervisor & Second Reader Membership Form (PDF) to the FIFSW Registrar’s Office: registrar.fifsw@utoronto.ca.
• Once the enrolment is complete, the PhD Program Assistant will set up a Quercus shell for the student to submit the comprehensive exam proposal, annotated reading list, comprehensive exam for assessment, and final approved version of the comprehensive exam.

NOTE: The comprehensive exam period typically extends beyond the length of an academic session, thus, students may be required to submit a coursework extension form, to provide additional time for the assessment and revision period.  

Submission of the Comprehensive Exam Proposal & Annotated Reading List

• To prepare for the Comprehensive Exam, students work closely with their thesis supervisor to develop a Comprehensive Exam Proposal and Annotated Reading List, which will serve as a guideline for the Comprehensive exam.  
• Students will have an opportunity to develop a draft of their comprehensive exam proposal in SWK7000H during the fall of Year 2 with guidance from the course instructor and in consultation with the student’s thesis supervisor.  
• Receiving approval from the supervisor and submitting both the comprehensive exam proposal and annotated reading list marks the beginning of the independent period of the comprehensive exam.  
• The second reader may provide feedback on the approved comprehensive exam proposal and annotated reading list within two weeks of when they are submitted. 

NOTE: See additional requirements for Comprehensive Exam Proposal and policies for requesting coursework extensions or accommodations.

Submission of the Comprehensive Exam

• Students will have a maximum of three months from the date they submit the approved comprehensive exam proposal to complete the comprehensive exam paper.  
• During the independent period of the exam, the supervisor and second reader may not provide further guidance on the scholarly writing or scope of research for the Comprehensive Exam.  

Assessment of the Comprehensive Exam

• The supervisor and second reader will independently assess the Comprehensive Exam and submit their assessment within three weeks from the date they receive the exam from the PhD Program Office.  

NOTE: See Comprehensive Exam assessment criteria and the Assessment of the Comprehensive Exam Form

Final Submission of the Comprehensive Exam

• The PhD Program Director will notify students of their Comprehensive Exam Results with details regarding whether the exam “passed” or “failed” and if further edits or changes are required. 
• Students who fail the Comprehensive Exam will be informed of the courses of action available to them, including the procedures for review, appeal, or retaking the exam. 

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Comprehensive Exam – Enrolment & Submission Timeline

The Comprehensive Exam is offered in Winter or Summer term of Year 2 in the PhD Program. All deadlines are 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the designated date.

Winter 2025 – Comprehensive Exam Enrolment & Submission Dates

Summer 2025 – Comprehensive Exam Enrolment & Submission Dates

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