Reading Class (HOA 788R) & Comprehensive Exam

After completing all coursework (non-dissertation credits), PhD students must enroll in HOA 788R: Readings in Hospitality Administration and pass a Comprehensive Exam covering their major and minor areas of study.

HOA 788R: Reading Class

This course must be taken after the completion of all required coursework and is designed to help students prepare for the comprehensive exam. The reading list and focus areas should be developed in consultation with the student’s dissertation committee and tailored to align with the anticipated exam content.

Comprehensive Exam Overview

The comprehensive exam must be taken within five years of admission to the PhD program. It assesses a student’s mastery of key concepts in their major and minor areas, as outlined in their approved program of study.

  • Question Development: While the exam is primarily designed by the student’s dissertation committee, the Associate Dean for Research, International Programs, and Graduate Affairs will review all questions to ensure academic rigor and alignment with program expectations. The number of questions is flexible and determined by the committee, rather than a fixed count.
  • Administration: The exam is offered in each semester — after the fall, spring, summer semesters—and may be completed off campus. Students must coordinate with their committee chair to select an exam date. Notification of Exam date and time should be sent to the Graduate Programs Office, diane.wrightman@unlv.edu and PhD Faculty Program Coordinator, cass.shum@unlv.edu.
  • Once finalized, the exam will be distributed to the student by the Graduate Programs Office. The student will have 48 hours to complete and return the exam.

Grading and Retake Policy

Each committee member will evaluate the exam on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. If one or more answers are deemed unsatisfactory:

  • The student must rewrite the unsatisfactory portion(s) within two weeks of notification.
  • The rewrite follows the same procedure and format as the original exam.
  • If the rewrite is also unsatisfactory, the student will be placed on probation and must retake a new comprehensive exam at the next scheduled opportunity.
  • On the second attempt, students must pass all questions; no further rewrites will be allowed. Failure to do so will result in a recommendation for separation from the PhD program.

Submitting Exam Results

It is the student’s responsibility to send the Comprehensive Exam Results Form to their Dissertation chair for completion and submission to the Graduate Programs Office.

[Comprehensive Exam Results Form – DocuSign]
[Comprehensive REWRITE Exam Results Form — DocuSign]