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Assignment: Doctoral Programs
Assignment: Doctoral Programs
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Prompt: Walden University’s doctoral programs are designed to help students develop the skills needed to grow as professionals. What are some skills you want to develop in your doctoral program at Walden? What will these skills allow you to do, and how will they help you grow as a professional?
By Day 7 of Week 2
Write a 1-page (approximately 350 words), double-spaced personal essay in response to the prompt above. To present your strongest writing skills, submit an essay which:
- Provides a focused and clear central idea which responds to the assignment prompt with developed ideas;
- Organizes ideas with paragraphing and transitions;
- Uses grammar and mechanics to effectively communicate meaning to readers;
- Maintains academic integrity by demonstrating your original work. Using outside sources is not required for this essay; if you use them, however, then you must cite any information you paraphrase or quote.
While completing a degree program at any level takes hard work and dedication, doctoral courses require a very specific skillset. Doctoral students should be prepared to:
- Gather, interpret and understand complex content relevant to their field of interest
- Reach new conclusions based on theory and research
- Defend their conclusions with experimentation, observation, surveying and qualitative or quantitative analysis, depending on the program of study
Since the culmination of a doctoral degree is to explain research and theory via the writing and presentation of a dissertation, this level of degree program is not for everyone.
During postgraduate study, the following skillsets will be of utmost importance:
Critical Reading and Academic Writing Skills
Critical reading skills can help you to find appropriate academic material for your topic of choice and allow you to effectively compare academic sources. Academic writing skills you are important throughout your program, as you’ll be completing written assignments including your dissertation or thesis.
Critical Thinking Skills
Much like critical reading skills, the ability to understand, question, and evaluate academic literature will help you when gathering and processing evidence and research throughout your program.
Aptitude for Problem Solving
The ability to problem solve can help you brainstorm ideas for topics before and during written assignments and research.
Ethical and Academic Judgment
Sound ethical and academic judgment can serve you well in both your academic and professional pursuits. The ability to critically evaluate published evidence, data, and academic sources will become valuable to you while conducting research and writing your dissertation or thesis.
