Graduate School and Beyond: Earning and Using Your Advanced Degree » (New Edition)

Mark H. Rossman is Professor Emeritus at Capella University where he has also served as Senior Faculty, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Vice President for Residencies. He has chaired more than 180 Doctoral dissertations and master’s theses and served on more than 400 graduate committees.

To succeed, graduate students need to understand the process of completing a graduate degree, control as many aspects of the process as possible, and be careful, skillful, and tactful negotiators. This book gives prospective graduate students a preview of what to expect and equips current graduate students with what they need to maneuver an often labyrinthine system.

Incorporating over 35 years of experience working with master’s and doctoral candidates, Rossman addresses such critical issues as writing the research proposal, forming a committee, preparing for comprehensive oral and written exams, avoiding emotional letdowns, defending a thesis or dissertation, and ultimately, publishing the graduate work. In addition to addressing the needs of traditional students in traditional settings, this new book devotes an entire chapter to crucial information about online courses, distance education, social networking, and the effects of the internet on graduate education. It also discusses the special needs of later returning learners with families, jobs, and experiences to share and accommodate.

Chapter 1 Can I Really Complete a Graduate Degree?

Chapter 2 Online Courses and Degrees

Chapter 3 The Degree Program

Chapter 4 The Graduate Committee

Chapter 5 The Comprehensive Exam

Chapter 6 The Proposal and the Thesis/Dissertation

Chapter 7 The Defense

Chapter 8 Now What?

References and Suggested Readings References Cited Style Guides Guides to Writing a Proposal, Thesis, Dissertation, or Research Paper Research and Writing in the Disciplines