EDU-M 710B: Mentoring: Develop a Dissertation Topic II

Overview

In this second mentoring course, you will go through a series of exercises aimed at helping you to uncover and refine topics and questions related to your dissertation.  To do this, you will be working with both the cohort group and your mentor professor to successfully navigate the challenges of completing a doctorate while simultaneously living a complex life.

You will determine a number of viable dissertation topics. Working closely with your mentor professor and engaging in discussions with your cohort, you will progress from this baseline to develop a preliminary outline of your dissertation topics that are: (a) in line with your personal and professional goals, and (b) have been explicitly selected to develop projects that meet Jones International University® (JIU®’s) rigorous dissertation requirements within a three year period.

Course Topics

• Characteristics of a Good Dissertation Topic
• Finding and Refining Potential Dissertation Topics
• Qualitative and Quantitative Designs
• Selection of a Dissertation Topic
• Dissertation Components and Timetable

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

In this course, you will:

• Decide upon a rough outline of your dissertation topic.
• Determine the potential challenges to completing your dissertation in three years and strategies to overcome them—personally, professionally, and with your topic.
• Complete a journal reflection and discussion with your mentor regarding your chosen dissertation topic.

Required Texts
EDU-M 710B texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore