Comprehensive Exam

Non-Thesis Graduate Students must complete:

  1. Programming exam 

 Pass a written exam in programming. More details are found below.

  2. Communication exam

 Pass a written exam in communication. More details are found below.

  3. Degree Outline

 Have a degree outline prepared before the end of their first semester.

  4. Comprehensive written exam

 More details are found below.

  5. Satisfy the computer science seminar requirement

  Attend at least four computer science departmental seminars.

  Failure to complete (1), (2), and (3) will result in a "hold" on registration and may cause delays in taking/passing the comprehensive examination.

Thesis Graduate Students must complete:

  1. Programming exam 

 Pass a written exam in programming. More details are    found below.

  2. Communication exam

 Pass a written exam in communication. More details are found below.

  3. Degree Outline

 Have a degree outline prepared before the end of their first semester

  4. Presentation of thesis to faculty and students

  5. Satisfy the computer science seminar requirement

 For information on thesis.

   Attend at least four computer science departmental seminars.

  Failure to complete (1), (2), and (3) will result in a "hold" on registration and may cause delays in taking/passing the comprehensive examination.

Programming Exam

• The Programming Exam integrates problem-solving and technical abilities to write clear and logical code.
• The allowable programming language is C++/Java.
• This exam is given to newly admitted graduate students the week before the first semester of graduate coursework.
• Programming Exam Study Guide
• PROGRAMMING EXAM POLICY: Students who fail the Programming Exam are required to take CS 5301 immediately.

Communication Exam

• The Communication Exam covers the ability to write clear technical English on computer science topics.
• This exam is given to newly admitted graduates during their first semester.

• COMMUNICATION EXAM POLICY: All students must satisfy one of the following three options:

1. Have a score of 3.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
2. Take the Communication Exam and earn a passing score in the first long semester. This exam can be taken only once. (Students who do not pass the Communication Exam must satisfy one of the other two options.)
3. Complete one of the following Texas State English courses, ENG 3313, ENG 3311, or ENG 3303, and earn a grade of B or higher by the end of the student's first year in the graduate program.

Oral Comprehensive Exam (THESIS Students)

Written Comprehensive Exam (NON-THESIS Students)

• All non-thesis students are required to take a departmental written comprehensive exam after they become qualified by completing the core courses in computer science or software engineering and accumulating at least 18 graduate hours of credit. Students are strongly advised to take the comprehensive exam immediately after they are qualified.
• This exam covers the core courses as indicated in the student's degree outline.
• The questions are graded on computer science or software engineering content.
• Students who perform unacceptably on the exam may take the exam a second time. A third test administration is at the discretion of the committee that administers the exams, based on intensive and documented justification provided by the student.
• Exams are given during the fall and spring semesters.
• Students are required to register for the exam in advance.

• WRITTEN Comprehensive Exam Study Guide

  Register/View Results

Samples of previous exams:

Comprehensive Exam Archives

Exam Appeals

• Students may appeal in writing with justification to the Chair of the department's Comprehensive Examination Committee within two weeks of the date of notification of the grade.

• A faculty appeals committee will review the exam and make a decision about the grade. The decision of the appeals committee will be final.

• Students will be informed of the decision and of the sections that were deficient.

The graduate advisor or the Comprehensive Examination Committee may be consulted for further information regarding these rules.