{"id":146,"date":"2022-10-27T15:15:14","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T19:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/?page_id=146"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:57:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T02:57:44","slug":"graduate-culminating-activity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/graduate-culminating-activity\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Culminating Activity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>All graduate students are required to participate in a comprehensive experience near the end of their degree programs in order to demonstrate proficiency in their programs of study.<\/p>\n<p>Past and present Montclair State graduate students recommend that it is best to approach these \u201cdegree determining events\u201d as opportunities for your expertise to be tested. It is never too early to begin taking active steps \u2013 such as applying for exams and registering for courses \u2013 to prepare for your comprehensive experience.<\/p>\n<p>Your <a href=\"\/graduate\/graduate-program-coordinators\/\">Graduate Program Coordinator \/ Doctoral Program Director<\/a> will be able to advise you throughout your studies to help you plan ahead and determine options for fulfilling your comprehensive experience requirement. In addition, many departments have study materials that can help you prepare for your comprehensive exams.<\/p>\n<p>Click on the links provided below to learn more about specific study techniques for your particular comprehensive experience.<\/p>\n<h2>Comprehensive Experiences<\/h2>\n<h3>Comprehensive Examination\/Project<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Evaluates your integrated knowledge of your area of study gained through coursework and program experience.<\/li>\n<li>All students need a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible to take the comprehensive examination. Departments may set a minimum number of credits to be earned before taking the comprehensive exam.<\/li>\n<li>It is administered once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester by individual program departments. The examination may be written and\/or oral. If the examination includes an oral phase, it will be given on an individual basis.<\/li>\n<li>Your Graduate Program Coordinator can give you the date and time of your comprehensive examination.<\/li>\n<li>It is the student\u2019s responsibility to register for the Comprehensive Exam course (GRAD CMP) through NEST in the semester when the examination will take place. See departments for specific program requirements and dates. (This will provide sufficient time for departments to communicate with students concerning any reexamination procedures.)<\/li>\n<li>Departments are responsible to inform students of the grading standards and process. Students will have access to their grade in the Comprehensive Exam course in NEST.<\/li>\n<li>Master&#8217;s level students who fail a Comprehensive Exam may petition the GPC\/Director to enroll in the Comprehensive Exam for a second time in a subsequent semester. The results of every attempt must be officially recorded with the Registrar. <\/li>\n<li>The GPC will notify TGS immediately of any students who fail the Comprehensive Exam twice. TGS will dismiss the student from the program. The dismissal letter will explain the possibility for a third (and final) attempt after reapplying and being readmitted into the graduate program. Admission is not guaranteed but, if granted, may carry conditions beyond completion of the Comprehensive Exam.\n<ol>\n<li>Only one additional attempt at the Comprehensive Exam will be permitted upon return.<\/li>\n<li>The student is required to provide a statement on their plan for success upon readmission; this statement will be considered during the admission process.<\/li>\n<li>Program would develop a set of written conditions for program completion beyond the above, as applicable.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Thesis<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This written project demonstrates your capacity for research, analytical thinking, and ability to make interpretive claims in your area of study.<\/li>\n<li>Extensive readings and a demonstrated knowledge of a discipline\u2019s methodological approach to research are required for students wishing to develop a thesis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more information, download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2025\/10\/Thesis-Procedure-Manual_AY-25-26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thesis Procedural Manual(AY 2025-2026)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Registering for the Thesis Course<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To register for the thesis course, students must fill out the <a href=\"\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2022\/10\/Approval-for-Writing-a-Masters-Thesis-Form-1.13.22-UPDATED.pdf\">Approval for Writing a Master&#8217;s Thesis Form<\/a> fully and email it to <a href=\"mailto:thesisinquiry@montclair.edu\">thesisinquiry@montclair.edu<\/a> along with their thesis proposal.<\/li>\n<li>The Graduate School will approve the form and forward to the Office of the Registrar who will register the student for the semester indicated on their form.<\/li>\n<li>Students CANNOT register for the Thesis Course (698) or Thesis Extension (699) via NEST.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>More resources for your thesis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2023\/11\/Completing-a-Masters-Thesis-at-Montclair-State-University.pptx\">Completing a Master&#8217;s Thesis at ÌÇÐÄvlog<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2026\/01\/Sample-ETD-Form-2026.pdf\">Example of Completed ETD Form<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2022\/10\/Sample-Thesis-APA-7th-Edition.pdf\">Example of Correctly-Formatted Master\u2019s Thesis &#8211; APA 7th Style<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/58\/2022\/03\/Sample-Thesis-MLA-Style.pdf\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2022\/10\/Sample-Thesis-MLA-Style.pdf\">Example of Correctly-Formatted Master\u2019s Thesis &#8211; MLA 9th Style<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2022\/10\/Sample-Thesis-Chicago-Manual-Style.pdf\">Example of Correctly-Formatted Master\u2019s Thesis &#8211; Chicago Style<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Thesis Contact Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alison VanOrden at The Graduate School &#8211; <a href=\"mailto:thesisinquiry@montclair.edu\">thesisinquiry@montclair.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Dissertation<\/h3>\n<p>Doctoral candidates demonstrate their mastery of a body of existing literature and theory and their application to an educational problem through a dissertation.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/256\/2023\/10\/DRAFT-5-24-23-Doc-Procedures-Manual-CK-2023-7-4.pdf\">Dissertation Procedures<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Research Project<\/h3>\n<p>For these small scope investigations of research projects, students define their research question and document the results of their research in a written work.<\/li>\n<h3>Capstone Course for MBA Programs<\/h3>\n<p>This course focuses on actual business situations and their impact on the organization. Students must complete the business core courses and a minimum of 15 semester hours of advanced courses <strong>before<\/strong> enrolling in the Capstone Course.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, visit: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/business.montclair.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/business.montclair.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Culminating Activity Course<\/h3>\n<p>Programs that require a culminating activity course include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Master of Education<\/li>\n<li>Master of Arts in Reading<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check with your department for specific requirements.<\/p>\n<h2>Information and Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>For additional information about the comprehensive experience, please contact your Graduate Program Coordinator or The Graduate School at <a href=\"tel:973-655-5205\">973-655-5205<\/a> or <a href=\"mailto:gradstudentservices@montclair.edu\">gradstudentservices@montclair.edu<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>For procedures and guidelines on preparing a doctoral dissertation, thesis, or to apply for the graduate comprehensive examination, visit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate\/current-students\/academic-policies-procedures-guidelines\/\" title=\"Home &amp;raquo; Montclair State &amp;raquo; Graduate School &amp;raquo; Students &amp;raquo; Academic Policies, Procedures, &amp;amp; Guidelines\">Academic Policies, Procedures and Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Tap into the resources below to get started on your comprehensive experience:\n<ul>\n<li>Check with your department, your Graduate Program Coordinator\/Doctoral Program Director and The Graduate School.<\/li>\n<li>You must be fully matriculated and in good academic standing in your graduate program in order to register for the thesis course, comprehensive activity course or comprehensive examination.<\/li>\n<li>Learn more about compliance with The Graduate School standards in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate\/current-students\/academic-policies-procedures-guidelines\/\">Academic Policies, Procedures and Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<li>You can access all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate\/forms\/\">forms<\/a> required for your culminating experience. Note that all forms require the approval of your Graduate Program Coordinator.<\/li>\n<li>University Microfilms International (UMI) makes dissertations available to other researchers for a fee. This is a terrific resource to learn what\u2019s current in your field. Contact authors to learn more about their research and be sure to get their permission in advance if their work can help you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Tips for Success<\/h2>\n<h3>Planning<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Montclair State\u2019s librarians are here to help you. Make a one-on-one appointment to learn how they can help with:\n<ul>\n<li>Citations.<\/li>\n<li>Internet searches.<\/li>\n<li>Inter-library services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Use time and space constructively by:\n<ul>\n<li>Finding a workspace that fits your needs.<\/li>\n<li>Sticking to a realistic work schedule.<\/li>\n<li>Taking breaks and making the most of your personal time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Use index cards to help organize your thoughts and work.<\/li>\n<li>If your research involves human subjects, it must be approved by the <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\/institutional-review-board\/\">Institutional Review Board<\/a>, or IRB, before you may begin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Networking<\/h3>\n<p>People in your field are invaluable resources. Make the most of their knowledge by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Networking.<\/li>\n<li>Attending conferences.<\/li>\n<li>Requesting material from conferences related to your topic.<\/li>\n<li>Forming a study group. You should:\n<ul>\n<li>Include people who have had different professors so that you can compare learning experiences.<\/li>\n<li>Limit your group to no more than 4 people.<\/li>\n<li>Establish regular meeting times.<\/li>\n<li>Play to the strengths of group members so that everyone is comfortable with his or her portion of the work.<\/li>\n<li>Include group members with strengths in at least one of\u00a0the areas you will be tested on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Working with your Graduate Program Coordinator<\/h2>\n<p>To get the support you need from your Graduate Program and\/or Thesis Coordinator:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Speak with your Graduate Program Coordinator to learn about specific requirements like timelines.<\/li>\n<li>Make sure you understand your Program Coordinator\u2019s philosophy and expectations.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t be too independent. Follow your Program Coordinator\u2019s recommendations.<\/li>\n<li>Stay on track by talking to your Program Coordinator before you start to write and while you are writing.<\/li>\n<li>If your comprehensive experience demands a faculty committee review, choose your committee members wisely. Generally, the department Chair will be your Program Coordinator. Your committee should include a member from inside your department and one from outside it, though look for faculty who share similar mindsets.<\/li>\n<li>Meet with your thesis Program Coordinator at least once a week. Meet regularly with other committee members and send them weekly drafts for review. Try to schedule meetings with everyone at once to encourage consensus.<\/li>\n<li>Ask for help when you need it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The Comprehensive Examination<\/h2>\n<p>The comprehensive examination is not about regurgitating facts. It\u2019s about applying your knowledge. These tips can help:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have test anxiety, stick to simple study techniques.<\/li>\n<li>Download your departmental study guide, if available. It can help you identify gaps in your knowledge.<\/li>\n<li>Review your course notes and textbooks. Make outlines.<\/li>\n<li>Practice writing essays.<\/li>\n<li>Explain theories to a friend or pretend to apply theories to hypothetical situations.<\/li>\n<li>Include ethical and multicultural considerations when answering questions.<\/li>\n<li>Do a Google search for PowerPoint presentations for specific theories\/principles.<\/li>\n<li>Look for case studies and write essays about them based on relevant theories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When it\u2019s test time, be sure to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Get a good night\u2019s sleep the night before your exam<\/li>\n<li>Arrive early for the exam<\/li>\n<li>Use the restroom before the exam starts<\/li>\n<li>Give yourself a full hour to answer each question\n<ul>\n<li>Take 15 minutes to outline your answer<\/li>\n<li>Spend 30 minutes writing your essay<\/li>\n<li>Use the final 15 minutes to edit and review your answer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be sure to bring the following to your exam:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An extra blue book to use as scratch paper<\/li>\n<li>A watch\/time piece<\/li>\n<li>A snack<\/li>\n<li>Extra pens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Written Work<\/h2>\n<p>Keep your thesis on track.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose a topic that truly interests you early on in your program. Work on your thesis as you pursue your degree, choosing coursework that can support it.<\/li>\n<li>Apply for grants early and often through departments, the field, and conferences. Apply every year that you can for the maximum available amount.<\/li>\n<li>Learn how to write a research proposal.<\/li>\n<li>Learn how to write an annotated bibliography.<\/li>\n<li>Develop plans and outlines throughout your project.<\/li>\n<li>Developing a proposal and collecting data are time-consuming.\n<ul>\n<li>Keep your proposal specific. This is the foundation for your work and is a key to managing your project.<\/li>\n<li>Develop timelines for each outline and chapter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t be discouraged by revisions. They can lead to a published work.<\/li>\n<li>Be flexible. Research can take you in surprising directions \u2013 be willing to \u201cgo with it.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Get your thoughts down on paper and polish them later. It is more important to keep writing than to get stuck.<\/li>\n<li>Meet your deadlines.<\/li>\n<li>Use Montclair\u2019s reference librarians as resources.<\/li>\n<li>Look for publishing opportunities by writing journal articles, research papers, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Research Project<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose a topic that has not been extensively researched. Look for all related research on your topic.<\/li>\n<li>After you meet with your Program Coordinator, make corrections\/revisions as soon as possible to save time.<\/li>\n<li>Expect to spend at least 10 hours a week in the lab.<\/li>\n<li>Stay focused on facts rather than opinions<\/li>\n<li>The National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is a useful resource: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Capstone Course<\/h2>\n<p>The Capstone Course, which looks at an organization from the CEO\u2019s perspective and requires knowledge of all disciplines, gives you the opportunity to apply what you learned in the MBA program.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Read assignments ahead of class and keep up with current events to make the most of your time in the classroom.<\/li>\n<li>Use timelines to manage your work.<\/li>\n<li>Do not just read from slides during a presentation. If you are well prepared, you will be able to elaborate on bullet points.<\/li>\n<li>Keep research materials from all your classes as there is often crossover from one class to the next.<\/li>\n<li>When applicable, use Canvas as a resource.<\/li>\n<li>Ask your professors for guidance. Take courses from teachers who participate in exam preparation. Gaining insight about their style of teaching, test making, and what they emphasize in class is a great way to prepare for examinations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All graduate students are required to participate in a comprehensive experience near the end of their degree programs in order to demonstrate proficiency in their programs of study. Past and present Montclair State graduate students recommend that it is best to approach these \u201cdegree determining events\u201d as opportunities for your expertise to be tested. It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":273,"featured_media":60,"parent":0,"menu_order":27,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-146","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/273"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1646,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/146\/revisions\/1646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate-students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}