COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS REQUIRED FOR COLLEGE DIPLOMAS
A "D" grade-point average doesn't stand for "diploma" at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. An overall grade-point average of 2.0 is required for graduation. But maintaining a 4.0 g.p.a. doesn't guarantee that you'll receive your bachelor's degree.
Students at this liberal arts college must pass a comprehensive examination in their major field of study before receiving their degree. This examination is given in the senior year and is intended to cover subject matter greater in scope than a single course or series of courses. The purpose is to coordinate the class work with independent reading and thinking in such a way as to relate the knowledge acquired, and give the student a general understanding of the field which could not be acquired from individual courses.
This isn't a multiple choice test. The examination requires at least three hours and it is part written and part oral. There is a break between the two but the amount of time for the break is at the discretion of the members of the department concerned.
Students typically take the examination in the spring semester or in December and January if they won't be in residence at Millsaps College during the spring semester. The times are published in the college calendar so the students know well in advance. Those who fail the comprehensive examination may have an opportunity to take another after two months.
This type of examination tells employers and graduate schools that students with a degree from Millsaps College know their materials and fields of study. While this type of exam may be very unusual, you may have noticed other campuses moving in this direction. For example, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) plans to award a certificate in technological proficiency to liberal arts college students who pass a certification test. VFIC is doing this to demonstrate to employers and others that liberal arts college graduates do have technological skills. Massachusetts requires all new public school teachers in the state to take a teaching test.
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Kevin Russell and Christina Finzel of Millsaps' public relations office can get you all the background information you need on the examination and might be able to put you in contact with graduates in your area. They're at 601-974-1012/1034. Linda Dalsh is director of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. Her phone number is 804-288-6606.
Two college presidents who can discuss the VFIC examinations are: Dr. William Cooper, president of the University of Richmond; and Dr. David Gring, president of Roanoke College in Salem, VA. Dr. Cooper is at 804-289-8100 or [email protected].
Kim Bolger and Randy Fitzgerald in the UR public relations office are at 804-289-8058.
Dr. Gring is vice-chair of VFIC. He's at 540-375-2200. Teresa Gereaux of the Roanoke PR office is at 540-375- 2282.
Dr. Anil Shende of Roanoke College's computer science department is one of the people who developed the VFIC test. Shende is at 540-375-2341.
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