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