Thinking About Getting a Ph.D. Pros and Cons Nuts and Bolts Presentation by Scott D. Scheer

2 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Pros and Cons Activity

3 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Positives of Ph.D. Reach career goals Advance your skill sets Life-long learning Become an expert in a particular area Research, research, research Develop new friendships Tuition benefits

4 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Negatives of Ph.D. Time costs Lack strong research focus Stressors doing work and school Only 57% of students obtained their PhD 10 years after enrollment in U.S. Ph.D. fatigue Loss of family-personal time

5 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership You Decide

6 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Nuts and Bolts of Earning a Ph.D.

7 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Nuts and Bolts What program is right for you?

8 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Nuts and Bolts Admission process Getting accepted Graduate school admission requirement for all programs is a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA Letter of intent Recommendation letters (three, at least two should be academic Other requirements vary by program - GRE

9 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Nuts and Bolts Basics Waiver request needed if pursuing degree in CFAES Residency (two consecutive semesters as full time student – can include summer semester) OSU – HR does not allow for special study assignments or automatic salary increase with degree completion

10 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Nuts and Bolts Expectations Coursework – minimum 80 hours beyond undergraduate degree, Masters usually counts as 30 credits Numerous research courses; Ph.D. is a research degree Candidacy Exams Dissertation – discovery of new knowledge (maximum five years to complete dissertation after successful candidacy exams)

11 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Helpful Links Graduate School: Graduate Admissions: Find your program: Graduate School Handbook: state.edu/graduate-school-handbook1.html state.edu/graduate-school-handbook1.html AEE Graduate Program: AEE Graduate Program Handbook: 20%20PROGRAM%20%20%20HANDBOOKJuly2015_0.pdf 20%20PROGRAM%20%20%20HANDBOOKJuly2015_0.pdf

12 Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership Comments & Questions??