Negotiating Graduate School

Dr. Mark H. Rossman has been advising graduate students for his entire academic career of more than 30 years. He is Senior Faculty at Capella University and has served Capella University as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Vice President for Residencies. He was Professor and former Chair of Education at Walden University and National Specialization Lecturer and Dissertation Advisor at Nova Southeastern University. He has been Professor of Education and Director of Graduate Studies at Ottawa University, Associate Professor of Adult Learning and Head of the Department of Higher & Adult Education at Arizona State University, and Assistant Professor and Head of Adult Education at the University of Massachusetts. He has chaired doctoral dissertation committees and master′s thesis committees for more than 150 graduates and has served on 300+ graduate committees. His graduates have received recognition for outstanding dissertations at Capella University, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University. He has received two awards as an outstanding dissertation advisor. Among his other honors and awards are the Distinguished Service Award from the Commission on Adult Basic Education, a Certificate of Commendation from the Mountain Plains Adult Education Association, a Fellowship from the Salzburg Seminar in American Studies, recognition as a Visiting Scholar from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, and a Master of Humane Letters honorary degree. He is the author or coauthor of 8 books, 10 evaluative reports, and 40 chapters or articles. He has produced one film, nine self-contained instructional modules, and two audiovisual tape curriculum units. He has served on the editorial boards of four professional associations and has presented 77 papers in 12 states and seven foreign countries.

• AcknowledgementsOverview1. Can I Really Complete 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. The Program of StudyFinancing Your Graduate DegreeAm I in the Right Graduate Degree ProgramDefining the Program of StudyDeveloping the Program of StudyKnow YourselfControlling Frustrations3. The Graduate CommitteeRoles of Committee MembersFunctions of the Graduate CommitteeGetting to Know Potential Committee MembersBecoming Known by Potential Committee MembersChoosing Your CommitteeCommittee Member Selection Guide4. The Comprehensive ExamThe Comprehensive Examination ProcessEvaluating the CompPurpose of the Comprehensive ExamPreparing for the Comprehensive ExamTaking the Comprehensive Exam: Tips for the Written ExamTips for the Oral Exam5. The Proposal and the Thesis/DissertationDeveloping the ProposalThe Thesis/DissertationConnecting the Proposal to the Thesis/DissertationChapter One: The ProblemChapter Two: The Literature ReviewChapter Three: The MethodologyChapter Four: Presentation and Analysis of DataChapter Five: Summary, Conclusions, and RecommendationsConcluding Thoughts6. The DefenseUnderstanding the DefensePreparing for the DefenseWhat to Do at the DefenseThe Decision7. Now What?Binding Your Thesis or DissertationCopyrighting Your WorkPublishing Your WorkMaking up Lost "Quality Time"CommencementUsing the Title "Doctor"Avoiding Emotional LetdownsPut Your Degree to WorkReferences and Selected ReadingsGeneral Style GuidesGuides to Writing a Proposal, Thesis, Dissertation, or Research PaperResearching and Writing in the DisciplinesAbout the Author