COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 

The third option for the culminating experience is the Comprehensive Exam. Students must enroll in FN 6980—Readings for Comprehensive Exam (1) graded S/U during their last semester of coursework, or the spring semester if they intend to graduate in the summer. The exam is only offered in the Fall or Spring semester. 

Prior to enrolling in FN 6980, students must have completed all FN CORE classes (FN 6070—Community and Public Health Nutrition, FN 6090— Micronutrients, FN 6100—Macronutrients, FN 6110—Advanced Clinical Nutrition, and FN 6260— Research Methods). No concurrent enrollment in FN core and the examination unless permission is granted for extenuating circumstances by the FN graduate faculty.

Students will also take an additional FN course prior to graduation (for 3 credit hours). This requirement can be completed before, during, or after the comprehensive exam enrollment.

The comprehensive examination will evaluate a student’s ability to apply knowledge related to the program learning outcomes for the MFN degree. The examination will require a student to apply critical thinking, show evidence of synthesis, and graduate level writing. Students must receive passing scores on all questions in all core domain areas to pass the Plan II – Culminating Experience requirement of the MFN degree. If the student doesn’t pass the question(s) for a specific domain(s), they will be notified and will be given the opportunity for remediation. 

Students should consult the MFN graduate handbook for a review of all policies.