Comprehensive Exam

Comprehensive Exam

How do I take the comprehensive exam?

A student may take the comprehensive exam once they have completed and satisfied all courses/requirements for the program.

Application for Comprehensive Examination

Application 

Students who have completed their academic requirements can apply for the comprehensive examination. A student should file for a comprehensive exam through the student support at least two months before the scheduled dates of the examination. The Program Chair assesses the application and makes necessary recommendations. The Program Chair requests to institute a committee that will manage and decide on matters related to the exam. 

Coverage, weight, and duration of exam 

The examination is divided into four domains for the takers from the DSW program and five domains for those coming from the MSW program. The exam should be taken within the specified number of hours as specified below. The domains of the exam are of equal weight.

*only for MSW student/ examinee

● Human Behavior and Social Environment: 4 hours 

Critical understanding and application of concepts, theories, analysis tools, and realities on personality, behavior, and dynamics of individuals, families and small groups, communities, and societies 

● Social Welfare Policies and Research: 4 hours 

Analysis and development of policy/ policy proposals and research proposals using appropriate tools, explanations of its types and processes, and its elements, and parts including values and ethics, which are usually grounded on situations (hypothetical or actual). 

● Social Work Profession and Practice: 4 hours 

Critical understanding and application of the definitions, goals, functions, principles, values, and methods (including tools, helping process, and strategies) of social work; discussion of the issues and possible remedies, trends, realities, and directions of the social work profession

● Social Agency Leadership and Management: 4 hours 

Understanding and application of theories, concepts, or tools of leadership and management competency applied in particular social work setting or institution to advance social work practice and address practice/ organization-related concerns 

● Area of specialization: 8 hours (only for MSW students) 

Critical understanding and application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes (including its dynamics and issues) in advanced social work practice in a specific area of specialization (in any of the following: clinical practice, social administration, and advanced community organizing); development of Social Work response/ action to a particular situation within the area of specialization showing leadership and advanced competency 

The student can complete the examination within two consecutive days (for DSW students) and three consecutive days (for MSW students). 

Passing 

The student needs to get a 70% passing rate for each of the exam domains to be a successful examinee. The student may be given an oral examination for domains with 60% passing rate or for clarificatory purposes. Domains which failed to meet the minimum passing rate should be retaken in the next comprehensive exam schedule. Students would need to apply again for the comprehensive exam for this purpose. 

A student can only be given two chances to pass the comprehensive examination to be able to graduate from their enrolled degrees. Decisions for those who failed to achieve such will be subjected to the deliberation of the Program Chair and the Dean (and other university bodies), following the academic policies of the Program and the university. 

Exam Venue 

The student needs to follow the prescribed examination venue by the appropriate unit of the University. They may opt to take the exam either in the learning center or somewhere else that is conducive for taking an examination but following the procedures of online/offshore examination.

Logistics 

The exam unit of the university will ensure the integrity of the exam including the gadget and room to be used. The student has to follow the specific guidelines on the actual examination as prescribed by the exam unit. The student can use a computer/ laptop in answering the exam, unless otherwise announced. 

Students are also advised to bring food during the exam especially for the exam in the area of specialization so as to avoid dishonest behavior when the student goes out of the exam room during break time.