The Comprehensive Examination fulfills both the M.A. Final Examination requirement and the Ph.D. Qualifications Examination requirement of the Graduate Faculties.  Students who take the examination will be notified whether they have passed at the M.A. or Ph.D. level.

The examination is given once yearly in early January on a date
announced at least two weeks in advance. The examination consists
of slide comparisons and essay questions designed to test the student's
broad knowledge of the history of art and architecture.

Students become eligible for the examination in the semester in which ten course units have been cumulatively registered, and no more than twelve course units may accrue unless the exam has been passed and the student has successfully petitioned for Ph.D. Candidacy (see below).  Students with no transferred credits should take the Comprehensive Examination in January of their fourth semester.  Students planning to transfer one year of credits should take the examination in January of their second semester.

The Comprehensive Examination may normally be retaken once, one year after an unsuccessful attempt.  A request to retake the exam must be submitted to the Graduate Chair.