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April
16th, 2004
In This Issue
Ask the Experts: A Ph.D. or a Master's
Featured Expert: E. Faith Ivery, Ed.D.  Question: Hi, I am trying to decide whether I should
apply to a master's or a Ph.D. program in history. I would like
to know if getting a terminal master's degree is not well-looked
upon if later applying to a Ph.D. program. Is there any point in
getting a master's degree if I am reasonably sure I want to continue
to a Ph.D. program? Will my job prospects improve with a master's
in history? Also, if I get a master's degree and then decide to
do a Ph.D. program in history, will my master's degree save me time
or will I have to start all over again? Thank you. - HelenAnswer: Helen, I presume you want to teach history on the college level. Community colleges will hire teachers with a master’s degree, so if you achieved that goal you could begin teaching soon. The focus of community colleges is to teach. They get close with their students, so this level may be of interest to you. Colleges and universities vary as to their “preferences” for full degree programs at the master’s or doctoral levels. Some require that students apply directly for the doctoral programs, and they get very upset if students terminate their study at the master's level. I have heard that it can be just as important that students earn each of their degrees at different schools for variance of ideas and research. So, I would contact the college or university that you would like to become part of their faculty. Ask them how they review applications for graduate study. They may be seeking applicants from certain schools to add balance to their departmental faculty. This information may better direct your decisions. - Faith More Ask the Experts.
Feature
Article: The Information Crunch (Retaining What You Learn) But it doesn’t have to be that way. While it’s true that
memory weakens as we get older, strategies to lengthen retention
and quicken recall do exist. Studies show that the average adult can focus on one topic for
only a few consecutive minutes before concentration weakens. If
the topic interests you, you might fare better. However, the amount
of retention is still questionable.
CAPITALIZING ON TIME. Study time need not always
be carefully carved out of your schedule. (Who has time for that,
anyway?). Granted, planning quiet time for homework and test preparation
is a good idea. But you may be surprised to learn that stolen moments
of impromptu study time are effective and efficient windows of opportunity.
When was the last time you actually took a break at the office?
Many of us leave our desks only for trips to the bathroom or scheduled
meetings. Why not spend those ten to fifteen minute intervals with
your nose in a text behind a closed door? Better yet, drag it outside
under a shade tree. Fresh air will do you good. Consider spending
your lunch hour in the park with your laptop or other course materials.
How much time do you squander commuting every day? If you spend
significant time riding public transportation such as buses or trains,
why not replace the sports page or fashion rag with a chapter in
your history book? If concentration is an issue, blind your ears
to distractions with headphones piping calm music into your personal
environment.
If you commute an extended distance in your own vehicle, try finding
textbooks or other course materials on tape. Though texts might
be difficult (or expensive) to find, supplemental reading materials
are often easier to obtain electronically. Check out DirectTextbook.com,
Audible.com and Recording
for the Blind and Dyslexic to find audio books for your classes.
It goes without saying that business trips provide an excellent chance to catch up on reading assignments, review notes and study for exams. Long flights
and layovers can be just as much a blessing as they are a curse. Quiet evenings alone in your hotel room – away from family and outside of your normal
routine – are gifts, as well. Again, if you’re traveling by car, you can make use of audio texts.
Do you spend a lot of time on a treadmill or stationary bike while at the gym? Ever consider reading while you’re pedaling? Or how about listening to
audio texts instead of today’s Top 40 while jogging?
Another Free Trial in Celebration of National Library Week! Xrefer Will Offer a Free Trial of Xreferplus. The Xreferplus database contains the full text of over 150 reference books.
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Facts. Data. Interpretations. News. The unstoppable pace
of today’s world places us in constant bombardment with information.
We cram for presentations, job interviews, meetings with clients
and other demanding engagements. In the process, our internal circuits
become jammed. Our wires become crossed. Add studying for class
to the mix and it’s enough to push your brain cells into mutiny.
| Featured
Sponsor: New York University School of Continuing and Professional
Studies
Your future. Your dream. Your degree. A college degree is a lot more than a piece of paper - it's a statement about who you are, and what you're capable of doing. New York University's Paul McGhee Division provides adult students with the academic rigor and excellence that define NYU. |
| Thompson Gale Group to Offer Free Access to Over
Two Dozen Reference Databases To celebrate National Library Week (April 18-24) Thompson Gale will offer free access to 24 reference databases. For a list of available databases, visit the Thompson Gale Website. Google to Create Searchable Archive of Scholarly Papers Google is partnering with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and 16 other universities to create a searchable archive of scholarly papers. A list of all participating institutions is provided. Special Reports: Trends in College Pricing (2003) The College Board's Annual Survey of Colleges provides information on tuition and other expenses associated with attending public and private insitutions in the United States. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing. More from the Weekly Journal. |
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