Describes the institutional practices related to qualifying examinations in U.S. sociology graduate departments (n=178). Indicates that there are differences between the Ph.D.-granting and M.A.-granting programs in relation to the structure of examinations; while the structures in the departments are consistent. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents an overview of exemplary community college graduate leadership programs. Discusses general trends in graduate curriculum (e.g., cohort-based programs with course work in leadership development, organizational change, diversity, and institutional development) and outlines 10 graduate programs that offer a focus in community college…

Like Gresham's bimetallic currency system, the field-based and the conventional Ed.D. represent two types of programs operating within the same marketplace. Because the field-based program is likely to displace resident graduate study, the education profession should seriously inquire into the nature and purpose of its highest degree. (MLH)

It is proposed that action research, as distinguished from traditional research, has a role in graduate management education. It is suggested that the former is more appropriate for developing managerial competencies. Differences between master's-level and doctoral-level action research projects are noted, and related issues for curriculum design…

The structure, components, and anticipated outcomes of a University of Kentucky doctoral program in pharmacology are described. The program is designed to develop pharmacy-trained specialists who are interested in rigorous, intensive clinical experience, state-of-the-art coursework, and integrated laboratory-based and clinical dissertation…

Research on substantive issues and concerns of higher education is handicapped by higher education's lack of status and recognition as an academic discipline or professional specialty. Theory-based and policy-related research should be recast as disciplined inquiry, doctoral programs strengthened, and preparation of scholars, professors, and…

Reviews and analyzes the survey of doctoral programs in rhetoric and composition published in the same issue. Questions whether the field's new status in the academy is secure. Asks whether a valuable diversity of agendas and perspectives will be lost if the field keeps trying to "discipline" itself. (HB)

Claims that the field of rhetoric and composition is leading the way in the increase in attention to the preparation of graduate students as future teachers. Explains how composition programs encourage the development of teacherly attributes. Suggests priorities for further thought and research. (HB)

Examines doctoral origins of economics faculty training new doctorates in economics. Finds that doctoral origins are highly concentrated, with the top ten schools producing 47% of the faculty at Ph.D.-granting schools, 54% of weighted doctoral-production faculty, and 67% of thesis supervisors at 47 top schools. (DSK)

Interviews with 26 women of color in a Ph.D. program in sociology revealed two kinds of hidden curriculum in the department: the professionalization process and the reproduction of inequality. There were frequent instances of stigmatization, stereotyping, blaming the victim, exclusion, and tracking. The women found ways to resist and attempted to…

Outlines a recommended sequence of necessary skills and applications to produce an electronic portfolio during the internship experience in a doctoral program in educational leadership at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte in order to increase technology competencies of students who are educational administrators. (LRW)

Examined the selection ratio for 253 doctorate-level psychology programs. Used the selection ratio to estimate the existing range restriction on the Graduate Examination (GRE) (referred to as General Record Examination) scores in validation studies. Results show that the GRE is a valid predictor of graduate school performance. (SLD)

Argues the case for democratic practices in adult graduate study, which include balancing and negotiating power, fostering collaboration, and enabling shared decision making. Advocates the cohort model for graduate education. (Contains 14 references.) (SK)

The changing world requires an improvement in school education, part of which involves the creation of self-renewing educational organizations to assist that implementation. This paper argues that the quality of teacher education can help to produce these self-renewing organizations and describes East Carolina University School of Education's…

Barriers to doctoral dissertation completion were identified from a review of empirical studies of doctoral graduates and graduate students who had not completed a dissertation (ABD students) and reviews of components of doctoral persistence. The Dissertation Barriers Scale, comprising 45 items, was constructed and administered jointly with 2…