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.
Summer 2024 sessions are from 1 – 4 p.m. on Mondays and will take place both in-person and online (as long as there is sufficient interest in the former). The group is only open to students in the qualifying exam stage of their degree. You must commit to attending at least 5 of the 7 sessions. Spaces are limited.
Meeting Schedule & Topics
June 3, 1 – 4 p.m.: Semester Plan & Goal Setting
June 10, 1 – 4 p.m.: Reading with Purpose for Quals
June 17, 1 – 4 p.m.: Notetaking for Quals
June 24, 1 – 4 p.m.: Developing Questions (& Answers) for Quals
July 8, 1 – 4 p.m.: Writing Under Pressure
July 22, 1 – 4 p.m.: Work Only Session
July 29, 1 – 4 p.m.: Writing Chapter-Length Literature Reviews for Quals
August 5, 1 – 4 p.m.: Work Only Session
August 12, 1 – 4 p.m.: Oral Defense Preparation