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 (donna.talbot@wmich.edu)
 Western Michigan University, Dept. of Educational
Leadership, Research, & Technology: Higher Ed
Ph.D.
Ceceilia Parnther (ceceilia.parnther@wmich.edu)
 Western Michigan University, Dept. of Educational
Leadership, Research, & Technology: Higher Ed
Ph.D.
 Doctoral student
Focus for Session
Timing &
Self
Preparation
Is a Doctoral
Degree right
for Me?
Yes
Program
Exploration
Application
Preparation
Type of
Program
Program
Requirements
Requirements
Program
“Fit”
Why are you here?
 What brought you here today?
 Things you hope we will discuss?
To commit or not to commit
(to a doc program)?
 The Fundamentals
 Career Goals/Path
 Personal Goals/Commitments
 Academic/Intellectual Strengths
Once you are ready to
commit…consider…
Timing &
Self
Preparation
Program
Exploration
Application
Preparation
Timing & Readiness
 Timing
 Career trajectory
 Personal life trajectory
 Readiness
 Professional experience
 Academic preparation
 Self-confidence & efficacy
Self Preparation
 Know thyself…
 Plan ahead
 Time line
 Prepare yourself (and your
partner/family)
 Do your “homework”
What’s next?
Type of
Program
Program
Exploration
Program
Requirements
Program Exploration
• Directory of CSP Programs
http://www.myacpa.org/commission-professional-preparationdirectory-graduate-programs
• NASPA’S web page
https://www.naspa.org/careers/graduate/graduate-program-directory
• Baron’s or Peterson’s Guides to....
• M.A. Advisor or mentor in the field
• GradSchools.com or Other online sites
Types of Programs:
 Ed.D. or Ph.D.
 Emphasis or focus?
 Only full-time faculty (#) or are
adjunct/practitioners in the classroom?
 In person, on-line, hybrid
Typical Program
Requirements
 Course choices
 Statistics courses/research tools
 Residency
 Comprehensive Exams
•
Internship
 Dissertation
What’s next?
Application
Preparation
Requirements
Program “Fit”
Application Preparation
 Apply/interview as if getting into
a doctoral program was your next
job
Application Requirements
 Timing
 Professional experience (3-5 years of
leadership experience)
 GRE scores are usually expected-take them early, take them often
 Transcripts/GPA
Application Requirements –
cont.
 Resume
 Letters of reference
 Written statement
 Interview
 Contact the program directly for information
 Often two step process: Graduate College
and Program
Program “Fit”
(Faculty)
 Level of involvement with
students
 Research interests
 Professional involvement
 Philosophy around
practitioners in the classroom
Program “Fit”
(Faculty)
 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?
 Retirement is imminent?
Program “Fit”
(Diversity & Environment)
 How important is diversity to you?
To the program? How do you know
this?
 Are faculty & students representative
of/teaching/valuing diversity?
 Does the program support different
lifestyles?
Program “Fit”
(Environment)
 Located in a place you could live for
3-7 years?
 Is there a way for you
(partner/family) to have community?
 Does the program have a good
reputation? How old is it? What
Program “Fit”
(Environment)
 Is there a cohort group of doctoral
students? How important is this?
 Can you attend part-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 to speak with a current doctoral
student
 Ask to see recent grads’ dissertations
 Ask how dissertation topics are
determined
“CONSUMER RIGHTS”
continued
 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?
 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?
 How one is treated in the
admissions/interview process may be
indicative of your experience in program