Graduate School:

from the UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies

The Graduate
- From apprentice to expert
- Depth over breadth
- Analyzer and creator of knowledge
- Self-directed

Purpose of Masters
To understand thoroughly and think critically about what is known in a particular academic field
To learn how to conduct research in that field (and perhaps prepare for PhD study)
To begin affiliating with the academic community of the field

Purpose of Doctoral
To master the knowledge of a specific academic field – and become prepared to teach that knowledge at the university level
To make an original contribution, through research, to the knowledge within a specific field (i.e. “create new knowledge”)
To establish oneself as an expert and leader within the academic community of the field

7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
1. Be proactive – take responsibility for your own grad school experience
Think about what you really want from graduate school, and identify opportunities to attain those goals
Continue the mental transition from being told what to do, to deciding what to do
Don’t wait for faculty members to come to find you – take the initiative to build relationships
2. Establish positive relationships with your
supervisor and members of your committee
Schedule regular meetings with your entire supervisory committee – at least once a year
Have a clear purpose for each meeting, and communicate the agenda in advance to your supervisor / committee
Follow up on items discussed in meetings – keep your supervisor informed of your progress and challenges
Act as a “junior colleague” – ask questions, advance ideas, show interest and support for shared goals
3. Embrace your academic community
Seek input and collaboration from faculty members and your peers – don’t isolate yourself
Attend optional seminars and lectures within and beyond your program or department
Attend and present at conferences
Begin thinking of yourself as a member of your profession and academic field
4. Know your program requirements and timelines:
Masters students
Your program may require any or all of the following:
Coursework
Comprehensive or qualifying exams
A research thesis or major project
Public presentation and/or defense of thesis or project
UBC Graduate Policy states that:
Masters students must complete all degree requirements within 5 years of enrolment
4. Know your program requirements and timelines:
Doctoral students
Your program may require that you do coursework
Doctoral programs will require that you:
Develop and gain approval for a research proposal
Pass a comprehensive exam
Complete a research thesis (dissertation)
Defend the thesis at a Doctoral Oral Examination
UBC Policy states that Doctoral Students:
Should advance to candidacy within 2 years, and must within 3 years
Should complete all degree requirements within 5 years of
enrolment and must within 6 years
5. Create and follow an annual plan
Use UBC’s upcoming CV template as an annual guide to:
Track your specific program requirements (e.g., courses taken, comprehensives, research, thesis, etc.)
Schedule meetings with your supervisor and committee
Publish articles and produce patents, copyrights, artistic works, performances, designs, etc.
Attend conferences and make presentations
Apply for fellowships, scholarships, and research grants
Take professional development courses
6. Bring a professional approach to your studies and interactions
Key skills: organization, preparedness, collegiality, budgeting
Take workshops through the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Professional Development Initiative (PDI) or UBC’s Teaching and Academic Growth (TAG)
Learn about research ethics and scholarly integrity
7. Seek balance and support in your life
Remember that you have friends and family outside grad school
Seek out the many resources at UBC that can help you through the tough times
Remember that this will be among the most inspiring and satisfying times in your life
And, because your mother isn’t here: “Get enough sleep, make time for physical exercise, and eat your veggies!”
Recognize that researchers before you have correlated adequate sleep, exercise, and healthy diets with critical analysis, innovation, and economy of effort