Managing the Graduate School Experience (eBook)

Dr. Mark H. Rossman has been advising graduate students for his entire academic career of more than forty years. He has received two awards as an outstanding dissertation advisor and has written extensively on how to succeed in graduate school.Dr. Kim Muchnick and Dr. Nicole Benak have been involved with graduate education for more than ten years. Along with instructing in online and traditional mediums, they have also earned degrees through traditional and online programs.

Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPreface 1. Can I Really Complete a Graduate Degree?Can I Afford a Graduate DegreeHow Will Working on The Degree Impact My Family and JobAm I Too Old To Be Seeking A Graduate Degree?How This Book Can Help YouWhy Am I in Graduate School?Three Categories of LearnersMotivationBarriers to LearningTime ManagementSelf-Directed LearningBecoming a Self-Directed LearnerNeed for Support2. Online Courses and DegreesDevelopment of Distance (or Online) EducationWhat are the Different Types of Online Courses?Why Should I Enroll in an Online Course?What are some differences Between Online and On Campus Classes?What are some Strategies to Help Me Complete an Online Degree?How Do I Complete and Hand In Assignments?What is the Average Age in an Online Class?How are Online Courses Graded?How Much Time Will It Take to Complete Courses and the Degree?What Technology Is Needed To Participate in an Online Course or Degree Program?How Effective are Online Courses?Do Online Learners Feel Isolated?Is “Online” Right for Me?3. Financing Your Graduate DegreeFederal SourcesState SourcesUniversity or College SourcesEmployersFamilySavings and InvestmentsAdditional SourcesFinancial Aid ScamsGraduate School Financial Aid Checklist4. The Degree ProgramAccreditationAm I in the Right Graduate Degree Program?Defining the Program of StudyDeveloping and Completing the Program of StudyKnow YourselfControlling Frustrations5. The Graduate CommitteeFunctions of the Graduate CommitteeRoles of Committee MembersGetting to Know Potential Committee MembersBecoming Known by Potential Committee MembersChoosing Your CommitteeCommittee Member Selection Guide6. The Comprehensive ExamPurpose of the Comprehensive ExaminationThe Comprehensive Examination ProcessEvaluating the CompPreparing for the Comprehensive ExamTaking the Comprehensive Exam: Tips for the Written ExamTips for the Oral Exam7. The Proposal and the Thesis/ DissertationProQuest UMI Dissertation PublishingThe Pre-proposalHow to Develop the Pre-proposalDeveloping the ProposalThe Thesis/ DissertationConnecting the Proposal to the Thesis/ DissertationChapter 1: The ProblemChapter 2: The Literature ReviewChapter 3: The MethodologyChapter 4: Presentation and Analysis of the DataChapter 5: Summary, Conclusions, and RecommendationsReferencesConcluding Thoughts8. The DefenseUnderstanding the DefensePreparing for the DefenseWhat to Do at the DefenseThe Decision9. Now What?Binding Your Thesis or DissertationCopyrighting Your WorkPublishing Your WorkMaking Up Lost “Quality Time”CommencementDeveloping an Unofficial Annotated TranscriptThe Portfolio ResumeUsing the Title “Doctor”Avoiding Emotional LetdownsPut Your Degree to WorkReferences and Suggested ReadingsReferences CitedStyle GuidesGuides to Writing a Proposal, Thesis, Dissertation, or Research PaperResearch and Writing in the Disciplines