Intricacies of Completing a
Graduate Degree

Dr. Marjorie Hancock, Director of Graduate Studies and
Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Curriculum and Instruction
October 10, 2007


• Preparing a Master's Program of Study
• Master's Student Forms

• Doctoral Program of Study Information
• Doctoral Student Forms

• M.S. Completion Portfolio (PDF)

• Student Program Assessment - M.S. (PDF)

• Student Program Assessment - Doctoral (PDF)

• Electronic Theses, Dissertations, Reports (ETDR)

• Research Topics:
   - Determine your area of passion and interest early in the program
   - Align coursework projects with your broad area of research interest
   - Utilize references in each book, chapter, and journal article for
     future research
   - Narrow your topic to a reasonable focus
   - Locate a key published research study from which your topic
     will build
   - Keep your topic on the cutting edge of research, especially for
     future publication possibilities

• Building your Curriculum Vitae
   - Publication possibilities: book reviews, state and national journals
   - Presentation possibilities: state, regional, national conferences
   - Graduate representatives on college committees (Service)

• Survival Tips:
   - Assuring family support throughout your program
   - Creating a timeline for program completion
   - Identifying a cadre of fellow graduate students
   - Attending EGSO meetings (program and social aspects)
   - Making effective use of your advisor or major professor
   - Maintaining dissertation momentum