On 10 January 2022, I will take the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (Comp Exam), where doctoral students are given three questions.
The student has a number of days to answer the questions and turn them in for evaluation by university faculty.
The university faculty readers use a point-scale scoring, where if the student passes the Comp Exam, the student moves on to the first dissertation course.
However, if the student fails the Comp Exam, then the student has a number of days to rewrite the unsatisfactory questions.
I have spent the last two years in the Capella University doctoral program, where I have learned about research methods, criminal justice theory, the different methodologies, and criminal justice policy and administrative matters.
I will be evaluated on these areas, in addition to APA formatting (American Psychological Association).
The APA style of writing is the foundation of effective scholarly communication where researchers, students, and educators across different disciplines present their ideas clearly, concisely, and organized.
I am hesitant to state that I am an expert in the APA formatting and style of writing in my assignments and research papers. However, at this point in the doctoral program, my APA writing style is almost flawless.
One instructor in a previous course noted: “Great work on this – this is an “example” assignment! Your APA is perfect!”
Although I am humbled by that statement, there is still more work to done.
One of the reasons for starting this blog was to write more and become a better communicator in academic writing.
For instance, being able to skillfully and consistently communicate in a scholarly, professional, and consistent manner with the expectations for members in the criminal justice field.
Nevertheless, there have been several times in my life where I have dedicated everything to just one cause.
That is, I’ve never believed in a Plan B or any type of backup plan.
I must pass this Comp Exam and move on to the dissertation courses.
Today is the first day where I get intentional about attacking the Comp Exam.
That’s right, this is a process where I must focus all attention on the process of scholarly writing, research, theory, and communicating the acknowledge of criminal justice theory and the different methodologies.
The hard work will pay off.
First and foremost, I will be writing every day on this blog and keeping a journal of the day’s progress of where I’m studying and the writing process.
Second, I’m telling people about my focus on taking the Comp Exam because that also holds me accountable.
If you tell people about something you wish to accomplish, now the ego is involved, and you are working with a purpose.
Some might say this is the holidays; yet, I conducted Combat patrols in Iraq during the holidays while enjoying my work and understanding what needed to be done.
Next is the day-to-day goal setting. Goal setting should be a way-of-life where someone once said that “if a goal is worth having, it is worth blocking out the time in your day-to-day life necessary to achieve it.”
Overall, I say enjoy the process.