Nature of Graduate Work

Graduate students must recognize that graduate level work differs appreciably from that of many undergraduate programs. While the undergraduate student often finds that his course of study requires that he pass a definite number of courses that are part of a specific and rather inflexible curriculum, the graduate student finds that his program is geared to meeting certain criteria.

The first of these criteria is that the graduate student should understand the ramifications of research as well as the manner in which it is conducted. In the context of graduate study, research--free of preconceived notions and receptive to new ideas--is systematic, thorough, critical, interpretative, and analytical. Such research attempts to collate and synthesize new patterns of meaning, to discover new truths and to correct past errors.

The second component of the graduate program requires that the graduate student master his field of study. Such a mastery would entail a thorough grasp of the subject matter, bibliography, theory, and methodology related to the student's field of interest.

Another element in a graduate program is achieved through the prolonged association of the student with scholars. This association should enable the faculty members to stimulate the interest and the zeal of the student and should render the faculty capable of evaluating the capabilities and achievements of the students.

Finally, every graduate program must give the student the opportunity to demonstrate his research skills, knowledge of his field and ability to contribute to his field of study. Thus, a person who wishes to do graduate level work must be prepared to pass examinations, both written and oral, to write coherent papers that reflect the results of research as defined above, and to participate in course projects.