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WebTycho Master of Distance Education
Graduate School of Management and Technology
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Expectations in Graduate Study
Workload
Graduate level courses generally have a heavier workload than baccalaureate level courses. For one graduate course, expect to commit to 10-15 hours or more a week. Addional time factors may include projects, as well as your reading speed, last time of formal study, and time commitments.
If you are working full-time or are new to online study, consider taking only one course for the first two semesters. Then, if you are managing well, have mastered graduate level expectations, and your study and writing skills are up to the challenge, step up the pace to two courses per semester.
Online Courses and Literacy
Since all online communication is in writing, comfort with reading and writing at a graduate level is required. If verbal presentations and lectures are important to you, you might find the text-dependence challenging. Make sure you have the skills and learning style to cope with this learning environment.
Writing
Academic writing is more formal than everyday writing, and should be clear, concise, and grammatically correct. Your writing is expected to be disciplined and focused; it should present clearly reasoned arguments that are well supported with references from the distance education literature.
At the graduate level critical thinking, judgment, reflective learning, and similar skills are required. The ability to concisely distill key points within a specified word or page limit is also required. For success, hone skills and habits, such as knowing how to seek clarification, drafting materials in advance of deadlines, and reviewing and revising your assignment before before submitting it.
If you need writing help,
there are some good resources to assist you:
- The Online Guide to Writing and Research
A tutorial by UMUC's Effective Writing Center. - COMM 600 Graduate Writing Seminar
Please review the UMUC Grading Policy in each course syllabus to see how critical this feature of your work is in the grading system.
American Psychological Association Style
The American Psychological Association Publication Manual is the generally accepted style manual for education and the social sciences. The manual covers rules of format and style from line spacing and page numbering to proper citing of references, both within text and on areference list. Graduate students are expected to master this style of manuscript preparation. Purchase the manual and keep it alongside your dictionary, thesaurus, and other important reference materials.
- APA tutorial
Print and consult this tutorial constantly as you prepare assignments.
Using APA in a competent and professional manner is a requirement in the UMUC grading policy.
Finding and Using Resource Materials
Peer-reviewed literature is the standard source of readings. Popular press, professional magazines, vendor-sponsored publications and Web sites, and other sources should be avoided. Faculty will also indicate what conference proceedings and reports are reputable reference materials.
Many sources of peer-reviewed literature (e.g. journals) are still not readily available online. Therefore, it is expected that library research will be necessary for some assignments, and that you have the skills to carry out a full literature search.
UMUC has a course to help you strengthen your library research skills:
Working in Small Groups
The development of collaborative work skills is considered essential at the graduate level in programs such as the MDE. Working in a group to produce a piece of work offers both rewards and challenges.
Read our tips and guidelines:
Computer Literacy
You are expected to learn and demonstrate skills in creating HTML documents and Web pages. For more assistance, visit Creating Online Content.