Qualifying Exams Preparation Group
Are you struggling to make progress on your qualifying exam requirements? Do you want to ensure that you start off working on your qualifying exams on the right foot? Join us for our newest post-coursework support program, The Qualifying Exams Preparation Group.
For most doctoral students at CGU, the qualifying exam period is usually the beginning of a structural shift in their degree process. The weekly routine and imposed deadlines of coursework are replaced by an open-ended schedule with self-imposed routines and deadlines. Concurrently, the quantity of peer interaction and idea exchange often falls off during the quals period, as well.
This Qualifying Exams Prep Group was developed to leverage the research-based practices that structure the CWR’s Dissertation & Thesis Writing course, dissertation boot camps, and other writing events to support student progress during the qualifying exam period. Every session will be comprised of a 30-45 minute presentation and over 2 hours of work time. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about post-coursework planning, reading and note-taking strategies for quals, writing under pressure, and other relevant topics while also having dedicated work time with a group of peers at the same stage of their degree pursuit.
Fall 2024 sessions are from 1 – 4 p.m. on Thursday and will take place online. The group is only open to students in the qualifying exam stage of their degree and who want to commit to making significant progress this semester. Participants must commit to attending at least 5 of the 6 sessions. Spaces are limited.
Meeting Schedule & Topics
9/12, 1 – 4 p.m.: Semester Plan & Goal Setting
9/19, 1 – 4 p.m.: Reading with Purpose for Quals
9/26, 1 – 4 p.m.: Notetaking (& Organizing Notes) for Quals
10/3, 1 – 4 p.m.: Developing Questions (& Answers) for Quals
10/10, 1 – 4 p.m.: Writing & Speaking Under Pressure
10/17, 1 – 4 p.m.: Oral Defense Preparation
*Optional continued meetings for work-only sessions if the group shows interest.