Welcome to the Argosy University Online Programs Doctoral Residency!

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Argosy University Online Programs Doctoral Residency! Before you begin your journey to Phoenix, Arizona we wanted to provide you with some additional information you may find helpful. Enclosed you will find an agenda for the weekend. You will also find some travel tips and information on your class sessions. We are very excited to bring our students, full time faculty and support staff together! Please join us for a Meet and Greet on Thursday, September 12 th from 6-8pm in the Phoenix Ballroom, located on the Lobby Level of the Sheraton Crescent Hotel. The clothing attire for the weekend is business casual. If you have a laptop and would like to bring it you may however it is not necessary and internet access will not be provided while in class sessions. If you booked a room at the hotel, you will have complementary internet access while in your guest room. Self parking at the hotel is complementary. If you have reserved a hotel room at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel you will need to provide a credit card at check-in for incidentals. Please note that if you use a debit card the hotel will automatically hold $20.00 per night on your card. It may take up to 2 weeks to release the funds back into your account. Upon on-site registration you are required to have your picture taken and your student ID created. Please be prepared to provide photo identification such as a driver s license, government issued photo ID or passport at this time. Photo identification is required to make your Student ID and check-in. You will use this ID in order to scan in and out of each classroom session throughout the weekend. Failure to attend a scheduled residency, arriving late or leaving early, may require you to pay for and attend another residency session. Failure to meet these requirements can result in you being prohibited from moving forward in the program and could lead to dismissal from the program. You must attend all sessions in their entirety to receive credit for Residency. Please visit the Residency Tab of the Campus Common for more information on the weekend. Again, welcome! Thank you for participating in the Argosy University Online Programs Doctoral Residency. May your experience be both educational and enjoyable! If you have any additional questions please contact your Academic Counselor or the residency planning team at auoresidency@argosy.edu Sincerely, The Argosy University Residency Team

2 Doctoral Residency Program Sheraton Crescent Hotel Phoenix September 12-15, 2013 TIME 6:00PM- 8:00PM 8:00AM- 9:00AM 9:00AM- 4:30PM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Early Registration -- PHOENIX BALLROOM "Meet & Greet" FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Registration and Breakfast-- CRESCENT C BALLROOM CLASS SESSIONS; Lunch SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 8:00AM-4:00PM CLASS SESSIONS; Breakfast & Lunch SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 7:30AM- 12:00PM CLASS SESSIONS; Breakfast & Lunch You must attend all sessions in their entirety to receive credit for Residency. Please ensure that you arrive in time to register and attend the first session on Friday morning and do not plan to leave class before 12:00PM on Sunday. Missing any session may require you to pay for and attend another residency. Failure to meet residency requirements will delay or prohibit your progression in your degree program.

3 Residency II Getting Started The Applied Research & Dissertation Process The defining event of the doctoral program is the dissertation. What are the steps involved? What is the time commitment? How does the process work? Answers to these questions are provided in this presentation. Additionally, this session will discuss techniques for creating a plan for the completion of the dissertation. Applied Research and Dissertation Writing Workshops I, II & III This 3-part series will focus on tips and techniques for writing the actual dissertation. Key elements, organization, and contents of each chapter will be discussed along with best practices in scholarly writing. Exploring Research Topics Students will work individually and in small groups to develop an appropriate research objective, purpose statement and research questions for their applied research or dissertation research. Faculty will assist students in forming appropriate research questions that align with the purpose of their study. Online Library Services This will be an overview of resources the Argosy University Online Library offers for students in the dissertation phase. Tips on searching and gathering information for the dissertation from the vast online library will be presented. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Process A dissertation s research and methodology must be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This session will present information on the purpose of the IRB and completing the necessary forms. Exploring Research Methods Students will work individually and in small groups to explore research designs appropriate for their topics, to include sample selection, instrumentation, and the process for collecting and analyzing data. Faculty will assist students in selecting appropriate methods that align with their research questions. Preparing for the Proposal and Final Defense Many students are anxious about the Proposal and Final Defenses. This presentation will discuss preparation techniques and offer insights into successful defenses. A recording of an online final defense will be presented, allowing students to view and hear an example of a final defense. Preparing for the Comprehensive Exam - Many times students experience apprehension over the taking of the Comprehensive Exam. This presentation will provide a detailed explanation of the qualifications needed for taking the exam, how to prepare, and the process itself. Q & A A closing session on any topics which may have arisen that need final clarification.

4 RESIDENCY II LEARNER OUTCOMES As a result of their satisfactory completion of Residency II, learners will: 1. Analyze and articulate the relationship between the dissertation process and their program outcomes. 2. Develop and demonstrate a more in-depth understanding of the dissertation process (e.g., selecting a research question or formulating a research hypothesis, writing a prospectus, forming a dissertation committee, completing a review of the relevant literature, conducting a study, analyzing and interpreting data, reporting results, formulating conclusions, recommending next steps). 3. Form a dissertation plan that includes developing a purpose statement and research questions for their applied research or dissertation research. 4. Apply research skills to access scholarly resources and evaluate information from these sources to assess their quality and credibility (reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, point of view, and bias). 5. Review and describe the important role the Argosy University Institutional Review Board plays in the dissertation process. 6. Form a dissertation plan that includes developing an appropriate research design and methodology for sample selection, data collection and data analysis that align with the study s purpose statement and research questions. 7. Develop an understanding of the requirements and expectations of the proposal defense and final defense process. 8. Describe the purpose of the comprehensive examination as it relates to their program of study and program outcomes.

5 RESIDENCY II LEARNING LOG We encourage you to capitalize on the opportunities that Residency provides and make it a point to be an active learner in each and every session from the opening breakfast and orientation to the final wrap-up session. Throughout each day of the residency, you are to keep a detailed learning log that describes your experiences, summarizes the sessions you attend, and analyzes what you learn from them. Following Residency, add your reflections of the entire residency experience and its contributions to your growth as a doctoral learner. As you develop your residency learning log, please include the following components: Time, date, and title of each session you attended A brief description of each session Key points of each session For example: Breakfast & Opening Session: Day, Date, Time Description This session included introductions of residency faculty, staff, and administrators and included an overview of the schedule and sessions. Key Points Speakers emphasized our attendance at and active participation in each session. In addition, include your reflections regarding the entire residency experience. Address questions such as: What were the most important things you learned during Residency? What were the most beneficial components for you? What would you tell a new AUO doctoral learner who wants to know about Residency, what to expect from it, and how to prepare for it? After completing Residency, what questions do you now have about your AUO doctoral program? By Monday, September 23, your completed Residency Learning Log as a Word attachment to Dr. Gerry Bedore (gbedore@argosy.edu).

6 Dear Student, We would like to take this time to express our excitement for your attendance during our 2013 Doctoral Residency Program. Listed below is the Student Financial Service representative who will be in attendance: Robin Freeman We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us to discuss any Financial Aid questions that you may have. There will be a signup sheet available during the Reception and throughout the weekend for you to select a time that is most convenient for you. Common Financial Aid topics include: What is the residency fee and how can I pay for it? The Residency fee is $1100. Students can make payments for this fee on their Campus Common or over the phone with their Student Finance Counselor. You may be eligible to increase your Financial Aid in order to cover the Residency Fee. To determine your eligibility, please contact your Student Finance Counselor or make an appointment with Student Financial Services during the residency. How do I find my Student Finance Counselor s contact information? Your Finance and Academic Counselors contact information is listed on the main screen in your Campus Common on the right side under the section My Contacts. What other funding options are available to help cover costs that are not covered with Federal Financial Aid? Cash payments, tuition assistance, tuition reimbursement, military aid, Federal PLUS loans, and private loans are just some examples of other funding options that students can utilize in addition to Federal Financial Aid. For more information on any of the funding options above please reach out to your Student Finance Counselor or for information on the Direct Loan Grad Plus Program follow this link: I would like to graduate sooner by increasing my course schedule. Can my financial aid cover this? You may be eligible to increase your financial aid to cover the additional course or courses. To determine your eligibility, please contact your Student Finance Counselor or make an appointment with Student Financial Services during residency. What are the Digital Books and how much are they? The Digital Books are electronic copies of your required classroom texts. They are available to you in your classroom and can be downloaded. The fee is $95 per class. o What if I need to retake a class? If you need to retake a class you will not be charged for the digital book fee more than once. Please be sure to contact your assigned Student Finance Counselor directly with any questions in regards to this occasion. We look forward to meeting you and hope you have an excellent experience at the Doctoral Residency Program! Sincerely, Student Financial Services

7 Classroom Etiquette Argosy University strives to have a classroom conducive to Learning during the Residency Program Weekend. Attendance In order to satisfy the requirements for this course you must attend ALL sessions. On the last day of classes, please allow at least 2 hours for travel and check in at the airport. Classes dismiss promptly at 12pm. Departing before the conclusion of the event will result in receiving an Incomplete for the course. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. Promptness Better late than never should not be exercised during Residency. You must be present in all classes to get credit. You will be scanning in and out of classes with your Student ID that you will receive when you register. Entering the classroom after the instructor's presentation has started can be distracting both to the instructor as well as to other students. If you misplace your Agenda (class times and locations) please visit the Information Desk to obtain another copy. Cell Phones, PDA s, Pagers and other Electronic Devices Please turn Cell Phones, PDA s, Pagers and other Electronic Devices on Silent during classes. Breaks are scheduled throughout the day as well as an hour for lunch. Walking in and out of the classroom during classes to take phone calls is disruptive to the instructor as well as your fellow classmates. Thank you for your professionalism and your contributions to making Residency a positive learning experience for all involved.

8 The following are some helpful tips for air-travelers, to ensure a smoother airport and flight experience. Pack smart and safe. If you think that an item may not be allowed on the flight, do not pack it. Additionally, mark your suitcases with something easily recognized (such as a handkerchief securely tied around the handle), to make retrieving your luggage much easier after your flight. Remember to check your airline website for luggage allowances and fees. Electronic devices (laptop computers, cell phones, mp3 players, etc) may be subjected to additional screening. Pack liquids (toothpaste, shampoo, etc) in bags to be checked as you may not carry them onto the airplane and they will be confiscated and discarded. Layer the clothes you are wearing. The flight you will be taking can vary between hot and cold depending on the number of travelers and the altitude of the airplane. It s better to take off a layer of clothing if you re too warm instead of having nothing to wear if you re too cold. Arrive at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Increased security at airports means ticketing and checking your bags will take much longer than they have in the past. Make sure to keep a keen eye on your bags and personal belongings at all times; do not accept packages from individuals you do not know; if you see an unattended bag, report it to security personnel. Have your government issued photo ID (driver s license, military identification, etc) and flight boarding pass on you at all times. If you are an e-ticket traveler, check with your airline to make sure you have all needed documents and inquire about the availability of automated kiosks as they help to save time. Wear shoes that are easy to put on and remove for airport security screeners. Additionally, be cooperative as screeners ask to hand-search your bags; this may seem an inconvenience, but is intended for everyone s safety. Once on the airplane, be sure to pay attention and listen carefully to the flight attendant s safety instructions. They will inform you of exit locations and safety features/devices. Wear your seat belt while flying. Sometimes in-flight turbulence can make your flight a little bumpy. Upon landing, listen for the flight attendant to announce where you may retrieve your checked luggage. After your flight has stopped, be patient. There are many people waiting to get off the plane; if you do not have a connecting flight to catch, you may wish to sit and wait patiently for those in a hurry to get off the airplane first. After exiting the airplane, go promptly to the baggage claim to get your luggage.