Final Program Exam Information
The FPE is designed to assess students’ mastery of program content before graduation.
Registration for the Exam
- The FPE is taken in the final semester of the program, during week 11.
- Register for BEH0002 W01 Final Program Exam (FPE) (first attempt*).
- The FPE is a 0-credit course (not on transcript, no instructor, no meetings or assignments—it includes only the exam)
- Strongly recommended: Take BEH 5040: Personalized System of Professional Improvement in the same semester as the FPE.
- BEH 5040 is offered during the first 10 weeks of the semester and is intended to help students with their overall understanding of foundational knowledge and the application of behavior analytic principles and procedures.
- Students are subject to a Final Program/Doctoral Comprehensive Exam fee if not registered for at least a 1 credit class during the same semester as the FPE or if a student is re-taking the FPE.
Exam Structure
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- Proctored, closed-book, closed-note
- Graded as pass/fail, with an 80% required to pass. (Note that this is different from the 70% or higher requirement found in other courses.)
Exam Availability
- Opens Monday at 9 AM EST during Week 11 of the semester.
- Closes the following Monday at 4 PM EST.
- Only one attempt per semester (maximum three attempts total).
Preparation & Study Recommendations
Key strategy: Master content throughout the program, not just before the exam.
Do not be satisfied with earning an 80% on a unit test. That score is good enough to pass the course, but it also shows weakness across one or more topics covered in that unit. Continue to study the content, ask questions and seek clarification (e.g., via the discussion boards) until the concepts and principles are thoroughly understood. Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you don’t get it wrong.
Take advantage of the available resources and save copies of course materials so that you have them after the course closes. Program courses are designed to build competence in behavior analytic concepts and principles. Mastering course content should prepare students to do well on the FPE. Numerous tools and learning opportunities are provided in each course to help students understand the material and master behavior analytic content. Students find course materials very helpful in preparing for the FPE.
It is strongly recommended the student take BEH 5040 in the same semester as the FPE. BEH 5040: Personalized System of Professional Improvement is offered during the first 10 weeks in the final semester of the program. The goal of this course is to identify weaknesses in the mastery of content areas and to focus on improvement. BEH5040 is intended to help students with their overall understanding of foundational knowledge and the application of behavior analytic principles and procedures.
If You Do Not Pass
Students scoring below 80% will receive feedback on areas to improve.
Retaking the exam:
- Up to three total attempts (one per semester).
- Plan to register to retake the FPE in the next available semester. Sections for retakes:
- BEH0003 W01-2nd Attempt
- BEH0004 W01-3rd Attempt
Graduation
Though a degree will not be conferred until the FPE is successfully passed, students who have petitioned to graduate and have made plans to attend commencement may attend (walk) the graduation ceremony even if the FPE is not passed.
Diplomas are mailed once all graduation requirements are fulfilled. Students must re-petition for the following semester after commencement ceremonies have concluded for the new graduation semester.
For more information about university policy, please see official graduate program policies.