Program Title: Doctoral Degree Right For Me? Practical Tips and Strategies ACPA Convention 2015 Building/Room: Tampa Convention Center - Room 7 Date/Time: 3/7/15 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Presenters Donna Talbot Western Michigan University, Dept. of Educational Leadership, Research, & Technology: Higher Ed Ph.D. Western Michigan University, Dept. of Educational Leadership, Research, & Technology: Higher Ed Ph.D. Ceceilia Parnther Western Michigan University, Dept. of Educational Leadership, Research, & Technology: Higher Ed Ph.D. Western Michigan University, Dept. of Educational Leadership, Research, & Technology: Higher Ed Ph.D. Doctoral student Doctoral student

Focus for Session Is a Doctoral Degree right for Me? Yes Timing & Self Preparation Program Exploration Type of Program Program Requirements Application Preparation Requirements Program “Fit”

Why are you here? What brought you here today? What brought you here today? Things you hope we will discuss? Things you hope we will discuss?

To commit or not to commit (to a doc program)? The Fundamentals The Fundamentals Career Goals/Path Career Goals/Path Personal Goals/Commitments Personal Goals/Commitments Academic/Intellectual Strengths Academic/Intellectual Strengths

Once you are ready to commit…consider… Timing & Self Preparation Program Exploration Application Preparation

Timing & Readiness Timing Timing Career trajectory Career trajectory Personal life trajectory Personal life trajectory Readiness Readiness Professional experience Professional experience Academic preparation Academic preparation Self-confidence & efficacy Self-confidence & efficacy

Self Preparation Know thyself… Know thyself… Plan ahead Plan ahead Time line Time line Prepare yourself (and your partner/family) Prepare yourself (and your partner/family) Do your “homework” Do your “homework”

What’s next? Program Exploration Type of Program Program Requirements

Program Exploration Directory of CSP Programs directory-graduate-programs Directory of CSP Programs directory-graduate-programs directory-graduate-programs directory-graduate-programs NASPA’S web page NASPA’S web page Baron’s or Peterson’s Guides to.... Baron’s or Peterson’s Guides to.... M.A. Advisor or mentor in the field M.A. Advisor or mentor in the field GradSchools.com or Other online sites GradSchools.com or Other online sites

Types of Programs : Ed.D. or Ph.D. Ed.D. or Ph.D. Emphasis or focus? Emphasis or focus? Only full-time faculty (#) or are adjunct/practitioners in the classroom? Only full-time faculty (#) or are adjunct/practitioners in the classroom? In person, on-line, hybrid In person, on-line, hybrid

Typical Program Requirements Course choices Course choices Statistics courses/research tools Statistics courses/research tools Residency Residency Comprehensive Exams Comprehensive Exams Internship Internship Dissertation Dissertation

What’s next? Application Preparation Requirements Program “Fit”

Application Preparation Apply/interview as if getting into a doctoral program was your next job Apply/interview as if getting into a doctoral program was your next job

Application Requirements Timing Timing Professional experience (3-5 years of leadership experience) Professional experience (3-5 years of leadership experience) GRE scores are usually expected-- take them early, take them often GRE scores are usually expected-- take them early, take them often Transcripts/GPA Transcripts/GPA

Application Requirements – cont. Resume Resume Letters of reference Letters of reference Written statement Written statement Interview Interview Contact the program directly for information Contact the program directly for information Often two step process: Graduate College and Program Often two step process: Graduate College and Program

Program “Fit” (Faculty) Level of involvement with students Level of involvement with students Research interests Research interests Professional involvement Professional involvement Philosophy around practitioners in the classroom Philosophy around practitioners in the classroom

Program “Fit” (Faculty) Diversity in composition and professional interests Diversity in composition and professional interests Are the faculty/practitioners going to be able to help you make the connections you will need upon graduation? Are the faculty/practitioners going to be able to help you make the connections you will need upon graduation? Retirement is imminent? Retirement is imminent?

Program “Fit” (Diversity & Environment) How important is diversity to you? To the program? How do you know this? How important is diversity to you? To the program? How do you know this? Are faculty & students representative of/teaching/valuing diversity? Are faculty & students representative of/teaching/valuing diversity? Does the program support different lifestyles? Does the program support different lifestyles?

Program “Fit” (Environment) Located in a place you could live for 3-7 years? Located in a place you could live for 3-7 years? Is there a way for you (partner/family) to have community? Is there a way for you (partner/family) to have community? Does the program have a good reputation? How old is it? What does it mean? Does the program have a good reputation? How old is it? What does it mean?

Program “Fit” (Environment) Is there a cohort group of doctoral students? How important is this? Is there a cohort group of doctoral students? How important is this? Can you attend part-time? Can you attend part-time? Is there a faculty member with whom you could feel comfortable working closely for an extended period of time? Is there a faculty member with whom you could feel comfortable working closely for an extended period of time?

“CONSUMER RIGHTS” or Expectations for a Doctoral Program Ask about whatever is important to you Ask about whatever is important to you Ask to speak with a current doctoral student Ask to speak with a current doctoral student Ask to see recent grads’ dissertations Ask to see recent grads’ dissertations Ask how dissertation topics are determined Ask how dissertation topics are determined

“CONSUMER RIGHTS ” continued Ask what faculty are researching; are there opportunities for you to join in? Ask what faculty are researching; are there opportunities for you to join in? What are the opportunities for assistantships/employment and other avenues of learning? What are the opportunities for assistantships/employment and other avenues of learning? Do full-time, degree-seeking students finish their degrees in a timely fashion (not remaining ABD)? Do full-time, degree-seeking students finish their degrees in a timely fashion (not remaining ABD)?

Between the Lines If faculty do not know the answers to your questions, are efforts made to find out the answers? If faculty do not know the answers to your questions, are efforts made to find out the answers? How one is treated in the admissions/interview process may be indicative of your experience in program How one is treated in the admissions/interview process may be indicative of your experience in program