grad school assignments

10 Types of Assignments in Online Degree Programs

Students may respond to recorded video lectures, participate in discussion boards and write traditional research papers.

(Getty Images) |

Learn What to Expect

Experts say online degree programs are just as rigorous as those offered on campus. Prospective online students should expect various types of coursework suited for a virtual environment, such as discussion boards or wikis, or more traditional research papers and group projects .

Here are 10 types of assignments you may encounter in online courses.

Read or Watch, Then Respond

An instructor provides a recorded lecture, article or book chapter and requires students to answer questions. Students generally complete the assignment at their own pace, so long as they meet the ultimate deadline, Bradley Fuster, associate vice president of institutional effectiveness at SUNY Buffalo State , wrote in a recent U.S. News blog post .

(Jessica Peterson | Getty Images)

Discussion Boards

The discussion forum is a major part of many online classes, experts say, and often supplements weekly coursework. Generally, the professor poses a question, and students respond to the prompt as well as each other. Sometimes, students must submit their own post before seeing classmates' answers.

"Good response posts are response posts that do not only agree or disagree," Noam Ebner, who then led the online graduate program in negotiation and conflict resolution at Creighton University 's law school, told U.S. News in 2015. "When you read another student's post, you have the ability to expand the conversation."

(Ariel Skelley | Getty Images)

Group Projects

Just because online students may live around the world doesn't mean they won't complete group work. Students may use Google Docs to edit assignments, email to brainstorm ideas and software such as Zoom to videoconference. Katy Katz, who earned an online MBA in 2013 at Benedictine University in Illinois, used both Skype and a chat feature in her online classroom to communicate with classmates.

"That was a good way for our instructor to see that everyone was participating," she told U.S. News in 2015. "Any planning we did – if there were going to be changes to meeting times – we would communicate in that chat area."

(Dave and Les Jacobs | Getty Images)

Virtual Presentations

Students may also give either live or recorded presentations to their classmates. At Colorado State University—Global Campus , for example, students use various video technologies and microphones for oral presentations, or software such as Prezi for more visual assignments, says Karen Ferguson, the online school's vice provost.

Oftentimes, Ferguson says, "They're using the technology that they will use in their field."

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Like on-campus courses, online courses may have exams , depending on the discipline. These may be proctored at a local testing center, or an actual human may monitor online students through their webcam. Companies such as ProctorU make this possible.

In other cases, students may take online exams while being monitored by a computer. Automated services including ProctorTrack can keep track of what's happening on an online student's screen in case there are behaviors that may indicate cheating.

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Research Papers

Formal research papers, wrote Buffalo State's Fuster, remain common in online courses, as this type of writing is important in many disciplines, especially at the graduate level .

While there are few differences between these assignments for online and on-ground courses, online students should ensure their program offers remote access to a university's library and its resources, which may include live chats with staff, experts say.

(golibo | Getty Images)

Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios

When it comes to case studies, a reading or video may provide detailed information about a specific situation related to the online course material, Fuster wrote. Students analyze the presented issues and develop solutions.

Real-world learning can also take other forms, says Brian Worden, manager of curriculum and course development for several schools at the for-profit Capella University . In online psychology degree programs, students may hold mock therapy sessions through videoconferencing. In the K-12 education online master's program , they create lesson plans and administer them to classmates.

(Tetra Images | Getty Images)

These are particularly useful in online courses where students reflect on personal experiences, internships or clinical requirements , Fuster wrote. Generally, these are a running dialogue of a student's thoughts or ideas about a topic. They may update their blogs throughout the course, and in some cases, their classmates can respond.

(vertmedia | Getty Images)

These allow students to comment on and edit a shared document to write task lists, answer research questions, discuss personal experiences or launch discussions with classmates. They are particularly beneficial when it comes to group work, Fuster wrote.

"A blog, a wiki, even building out portfolios – we see a lot of those in communications, marketing and some of our business programs ," says Ferguson, of CSU—Global. "You may not see as much of that in accounting," for example, where students focus more on specific financial principles.

(Nalinratana Phiyanalinmat | EyeEm

A journal assignment allows an online student to communicate with his or her professor directly. While topics are sometimes assigned, journals often enable students to express ideas, concerns, opinions or questions about course material, Fuster wrote.

(Yuri_Arcurs | Getty Images)

More About Online Education

Learn more about selecting an online degree program by checking out the U.S. News 2017 Best Online Programs rankings and exploring the Online Learning Lessons blog.

For more advice, follow U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook .

2024 Best Online Programs

Compare online degree programs using the new U.S. News rankings and data.

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Whether you’ve just finished your undergraduate degree or you want to pivot your career, grad school may be the next logical step in your educational and professional development.

But how do you apply to graduate school so you have the best chance at receiving that coveted acceptance letter? Read on to learn how to submit the perfect graduate school application to impress admissions officers. For information on due dates and a printable timeline, check out our  grad school application checklist .

How Grad Schools Evaluate Your Application

The exact criteria for  graduate school admissions  vary depending on the school and program. Still, there are certain qualifications, including GPA and grades from specific undergraduate courses, that all admissions officers consider. Most graduate programs look for a minimum 3.0 GPA.

A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 318 is considered strong and can help your application. A professional resume with work experience related to your program is often helpful or required. Programs typically ask for letters of recommendation and a  graduate school admissions essay  as well.

Are You a Good Fit for the Program?

Whichever program you apply for, you must first make sure it’s a good match. Consider the following questions before submitting your application:

• Do you love the field of study the program you’re applying to focuses on?
• Do you have an undergraduate degree or work experience in an area related to your graduate school program of choice?
• Will earning this degree help you advance your career or earning potential?
• Do you have the resources to pay for graduate school, either through your own funds or through loans, grants and scholarships? For more information about this, see our guide on  how to pay for graduate school .

Taking time to reflect on these questions can help you decide whether graduate school is right for you. You can also reach out to professors, students and alumni to get a better feel for your prospective program. You might even schedule a tour of the campus before applying.

Do You Have Relevant Internship or Research Experience?

Internships and relevant work experience may not make or break your graduate school application, but they can help set your application apart from the rest. Once you’re in a graduate program, you may be required to complete an internship or research work to graduate.

What Does Your Statement of Purpose Demonstrate?

A statement of purpose or personal statement tells admissions committees more about you. This essay should touch on your interests, especially as they relate to the graduate school program. The statement of purpose should also describe what you can bring to the program and why you want to be a part of it.

What Do Your Letters of Recommendation Demonstrate?

Letters of recommendation are important for graduate school because they show that credible academics and professionals think highly of you and believe you would be a good asset to the program you’re applying to.

An effective letter of recommendation is written by someone who knows you well academically or professionally, such as a professor, mentor or work supervisor. It should include titles of relevant research articles you’ve written, academic awards and honors and relevant academic activities like projects, presentations or research studies.

What Do Your Undergraduate Transcripts Show?

Simply put, official undergraduate transcripts verify that you attended the school you said you did and maintained a GPA that’s consistent with the program’s requirements. Undergraduate transcripts also allow admissions officers to see whether you took courses relevant to your prospective course of study.

How Are Your GRE Scores?

Most graduate school programs require students to take the GRE as part of the application process. An overall score of 318 or higher is considered a good score, so you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to study and retake the test if needed before your grad school application is due.

Is Your Prior Academic Experience Relevant?

While you don’t always need an undergraduate degree in the same field as the graduate program you’re applying to, admissions officers typically consider relevant undergraduate coursework, research projects and work experience when reviewing applications.

Statement of Purpose Tips

Your statement of purpose gives you the chance to show some individuality and let your personality shine through. You should aim to leave a memorable impression and craft a well-written, concise statement of purpose to boost your application. See our tips below for writing a statement of purpose.

Follow the Prompt Carefully

Be sure to answer all of the questions in the prompt to give admissions officers all the information they need. Additionally, make sure to follow any guidelines for things like style, font and file format. While these factors may seem small, incorrect formatting can lead to your application being disqualified.

Get Personal

This is your chance to tell your story. Write a statement of purpose that only you could write. Does your passion for medicine date back to an injury or illness you had as a child? Did you grow up watching Law & Order and feel inspired? These details remind graduate admission committees that you are a well rounded person with much to offer.

Discuss Your Goals

Aside from how your own personal and career goals relate to the program, you should also touch on how you can contribute to your school or program of choice. Do you plan on collaborating with colleagues or contributing to your institution’s research goals? Make this known in your statement of purpose.

Know Your Audience

What is the culture of the school or program you’re applying to? What does the institution value? Spend some time on its website and social media accounts to find out. You can even reach out to current students and alumni to get a better idea so you can tailor your statement of purpose accordingly.

Proofread and Revise as Needed

Don’t just write your first draft and send it off. After writing it, take some time to sleep on it, then come back and read and revise with fresh eyes. You should also have someone like a professor or tutor read your statement of purpose and provide feedback.

Interview Tips

The interview is a big part of the graduate school application process if your program requires one. Make sure to come ready and prepared.

Do Your Research

Read up on the university and program you’re applying to so you can sound knowledgeable and interested during the interview. Answer questions such as, how big is the program or school? What have its graduates gone on to do? What are the program requirements?

You can also read up on any academic articles or research professors in your program have created.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer

Remember, this isn’t just about the school interviewing you. You’re also interviewing the program to determine if it’s a good fit for you. What career and network opportunities are available to students and alumni? What about grants and scholarships? Will you be paired with a mentor or an advisor?

Practice With Mock Interviews

Practice makes perfect. Look into common graduate school interview questions, and practice with a professor, classmate or friend. You can even practice solo using these  20 Graduate School Interview Questions .

Bring a Professional Portfolio

Depending on the nature of your work, it may be helpful to bring in a professional portfolio, such as if your speciality is print graphic design. Other subject areas like writing or research lend themselves to online portfolios, which you can send to your interviewers ahead of the scheduled interview.

What Does a Grad School Application Look Like?

In addition to your transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose and portfolio, your graduate school application will require some basic background information about you.

Biographical Information

• Full legal name
• Any previous legal names used
• Age and date of birth
• Social Security number

Ethnicity Information

Ethnicity information about applicants and current students is used by the university to see if it is meeting diversity quotas and to share with stakeholders. You may select one particular ethnicity, or choose options like “other,” “multiracial” or “decline to state.”

Military Status

Scholarships, grants and special services can be available to active-duty and reserve military service members and veterans.

Contact Information

• Current mailing address
• Current phone number
• Current email

Program Selection

• The program you’re applying to
• Any speciality or concentrations available as part of your program

Academic Interests

• Specialities in your program that you want to focus on
• Research topics or projects you want to pursue

History of Education

• Undergraduate degree and major
• Academic achievements and awards

Standardized Test Information

• *GRE scores (Check with your program as some may no longer require or accept GRE scores )
• Scores from any other required tests

Financial Aid

Deadlines for financial aid often coincide with deadlines for admissions. Make sure to submit the FAFSA to ensure you qualify for as many financial aid resources as possible. Visit the  Federal Student Aid  website for more information, and check out our guide on  how the FAFSA differs for graduate school .

Previous Employment

• Relevant work history related to your program
• Internship or research experience related to your program

Do you speak the primary language spoken in the area where your campus is located? Do you speak more than one language? These are things admissions officers will want to know.

Supplemental Information

• Certifications or special licenses or training
• Special Awards

Reference Information

• Contact information, like phone numbers and emails, for professors, mentors and work supervisors who are willing to provide a reference

Upload Documents

When submitting your online application, make sure to upload all required documents so your application will not be disqualified.

Application Fee

• Graduate school application fees can range from around $60 to more than $100. You must pay this fee before you can submit your application.

Confirm and Submit Form

• Finally, make sure to confirm that all your information is correct and all necessary documents are uploaded before you submit your application.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com on Feb. 3. 2023. Author is Ryah Cooley Cole, and Editor is Brenna Swanston.

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Avoid These Common Mistakes Students Make in Grad School

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Do you often find yourself saying "I hate grad school" or simply frustrated with the increased workload that comes with it? Given the competitive nature of graduate school admissions, grad students tend to be excellent students, but hours of study over complex subject matter and good grades don't guarantee success in graduate school. In order to fully value and understand the education, you're receiving you need to avoid these eight common pitfalls of graduate students that wind up making them hate the program.

Thinking Like an Undergraduate

Undergraduates take classes while graduate students immerse themselves in a discipline. Undergrads' work ends when class ends, they turn in papers and leave campus. A graduate students' work, on the other hand, is never completed. After class they do research, meet with faculty, in a lab, and interact with other students and faculty. Successful graduate students understand the difference between college and graduate school and treat their education like a job.

It would be easy to get bogged down in the ho-hum of yet another four years of "studying" if you forget this little detail: you are in graduate medical school because you love medicine and want to pursue a career in it. Treat graduate school, instead of another 1,000 hours of studying, as your first days of being in your chosen profession. Hopefully, that will bring the joy and passion back to your work and studies.

Focusing on Grades

Undergraduates worry about grades and as a result, often approach their professors to ask for a higher grade through either extra work or a redo on previous assignments. In grad school grades are not that important. Funding is usually linked with grades but poor grades are very uncommon. C's generally are uncommon. In graduate school, the emphasis is not on the grade but on the learning.

This frees up students to actually be able to delve into their chosen fields of medicine instead of focusing on instant recall of data or studying for tests. As a doctor, a graduate of medical school will need to have long-term retention of the information garnered during the program. By focusing on the application of information and repeatedly doing so, students in grad school truly learn their craft and instead of getting bogged down on whether or not they're passing, begin to enjoy the concept of working professionally.

Failing to Plan Ahead

Effective graduate students are detail oriented and juggle many tasks. They must prepare for multiple classes, write papers , take exams, conduct research and perhaps even teach classes. It's no surprise that good graduate students are good at identifying what needs to be done and prioritizing. However, the best graduate students keep an eye on the future. Focusing on the here and now is important but good students think ahead, beyond the semester and even year. Failing to plan ahead can make your graduate school experience much harder and worse yet could even adversely affect your career.

As a graduate student, you should begin thinking about comprehensive exams  well before it's time to study and tossing around dissertation ideas early in graduate school so you can seek feedback and develop your thesis well in advance. Considering career alternatives and determining what experiences you need to get the jobs you desire is imperative to your success as a doctor. For example, those who want jobs as professors will need to obtain research experience, learn how to write grants  and publish their research in the best journals that they can. Graduate students who think only about the present may miss out on the experiences that they need and may be ill-prepared for the future they envisioned. Don't wind up hating graduate school because you didn't prepare ahead of time.

Being Unaware of Department Politics

Undergraduate students are often shielded from academic politics and are unaware of the power dynamics within a department or university . Success in graduate school requires that students become aware of departmental politics, especially because professors and students alike oftentimes continue to work together professionally after graduation.

In every university department, there are some faculty members with more power than others. Power can take many forms: grant money, coveted classes, administrative positions and more. Moreover, interpersonal dynamics influence departmental decisions and student's lives. Faculty who dislike each other, for example, may refuse to sit on the same committee. Even worse, they may refuse to agree on suggestions for revising a students' dissertation. Successful graduate students are aware that part of their success relies on navigating nonacademic interpersonal issues.

Not Fostering Relationships With Faculty

Many graduate students mistakenly think that graduate school is only about classes, research, and academic experiences. Unfortunately, this is incorrect as it is also about relationships. The connections students make with faculty and other students form the base for a lifetime of professional relationships. Most students recognize the importance of professors in shaping their careers. Graduate students will look to professors for recommendation letters, advice and job leads throughout their careers. Every job that a graduate degree holder might seek requires several letters of recommendation and/or references.

In order to have a better graduate school experience and in turn a more rewarding professional career, it is imperative that graduate students seek the advice and camaraderie of their professors. After all, these same professors are soon to be their contemporaries in the field. 

Ignoring Peers

It's not just faculty who matter. Successful graduate students also foster relationships with other students. Students help each other by providing advice, tips and acting as a sounding board for one another's dissertation ideas. Graduate student friends, of course, are also sources of support and camaraderie. After graduation, student friends become sources of job leads and other valuable resources. The more time that passes after graduation the more valuable those friendships become. 

Not only that but making friends in school is one of the biggest benefits of joining a program. This is especially true of medical school where, at the very least, you all share one common interest: a love of medicine. It's easy to hate school when you have no friends to commiserate with over the trials and tribulations of becoming a doctor. Making friends will help ease the stress during your schooling and go on to be greatly beneficial when you start your residency program afterward.

Not Putting in Face Time

Completing class work and research is a big contributor to success in graduate school, but the intangible elements of your education also matter. Successful graduate students put in face time. They are around and visible in their department. The don't leave when classes and other obligations are over. They spend time in the department. They are seen.

This is imperative to garnering those all-important letters of recommendation as well as receiving notoriety by not only your professors but your peers. Oftentimes graduates who do not spend enough time making these appearances find themselves lacking in the feeling of accomplishments those who do spend enough time within the department do. This is because those students don't receive as much recognition for their work and dedication. If you're having a bad time at graduate school and don't feel that your professors are respecting your effort, perhaps making more face time with your peers will remedy this common problem.

Forgetting to Have Fun

Graduate school is a lengthy endeavor, filled with stress and countless hours spent studying, researching and cultivating professional skills. Although as a student you will have a great many responsibilities it is important to take the time to have fun. You don't want to graduate and later realized that you have missed out on some of the coolest opportunities to enjoy yourself. The most successful graduate students are healthy and well-rounded because they make time for and cultivate a life.

If you find yourself midway through graduate school and hating every minute of it, maybe the perfect solution is to step away from it all for an evening (or a weekend) and remind yourself of your youth and excitement by going out with your colleagues, exploring some of the school's organized activities or simply taking in the city where you're studying. A few hours or days away from work could be just the refresher you need to remind yourself why you chose the medical field in the first place. That way, you can get back to learning and enjoying your field of study. 

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APA Writing Guide: Formatting for Graduate Students

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Writing Center

The Liberty University Writing Center is available to provide writing coaching to students. Residential students should contact the  On-Campus Writing Center  for assistance. Online students should contact the  Online Writing Center  for assistance.

General Rules

Liberty University has determined that graduate students will use APA 7’s formatting guidelines for professional papers. To assist you, Liberty University's Writing Center provides a template paper and a  sample paper .

For professional papers, the following four sections are required: 

• Title Page with Running Head
• Abstract with Keywords
• Reference List

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you format your paper:

• Fonts  - LU recommends that papers be typed in 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri fonts.  
• Use only one space at the end of each sentence in the body of your paper.
• In general, APA papers should be double spaced throughout. A list of exceptions can be found here.
• To make sure that your paper is double spaced throughout,  select the text ,  right click , select ' Paragraph ,' and look under the section ' Line Spacing ' as shown below:

• Margins/Alignment  - Your paper should use 1-inch margins on standard-sized paper (8.5' X 11'). Make sure that you use  Align Left  (CTRL + L) on the paper, except for the title page.  
•   Indentation – The first sentence in each new paragraph in the body of the paper should be indented a half inch. The abstract, however, should not be indented. References use hanging indentation .  
• Headings:   Please note that all headings are in title case. Level 1 headings should be centered (and in bold), and Level 2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold italic, respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular paragraphs. An example of formatting headings in a paper is available here

Title Page: When setting up the professional title page, please note the following elements should be present on the page:

• There is no limit to the number of words in the title.
• Add an extra blank double-spaced line between the title and author’s name.
• Name of each author (centered)
• Name of department and institution/affiliation (centered)
• Place the author note in the bottom half of the title page. Center and bold the label “Author Note.” Align the paragraphs of the author note to the left. For an example, see the LU Writing Center template for graduate students here .
• Page number in top right corner of the header, starting with page 1 on the title page
• The running head is an abbreviated version of the title of your paper (or the full title if the title is already short).
• Type the running head in all-capital letters.
• Ensure the running head is no more than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
• The running head appears in the same format on every page, including the first page.
• Do not use the label “Running head:” before the running head.
• Align the running head to the left margin of the page header, across from the right-aligned page number.

Abstract Page: The abstract page includes the abstract and related keywords.

The abstract is a brief but comprehensive summary of your paper. Here are guidelines for formatting the abstract:

• It should be the second page of a professional (graduate level) paper.
• The first line should say “Abstract” centered and in bold.
• The abstract should start one line below the section label.
• It should be a single paragraph and should not be indented.
• It should not exceed 250 words.

Keywords are used for indexing in databases and as search terms. Your keywords should capture the most important aspects of your paper in three to five words, phrases, or acronyms. Here are formatting guidelines:

• Label “ Keywords ” one line below the abstract, indented and in italics (not bolded).
• The keywords should be written on the same line as and one space after the label “ Keywords ”.
• The keywords should be lowercase (but capitalize proper nouns) and not italic or bold.
• Each keyword should be separated by a comma and a space and followed by a colon.
• There should be no ending punctuation.
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• Next: In-text Citations >>
• Last Updated: Aug 29, 2023 11:29 AM
• URL: https://libguides.liberty.edu/APAguide

15 Free Research Tools for Grad Students

Reviewed by David Krug David Krug is a seasoned expert with 20 years in educational technology (EdTech). His career spans the pivotal years of technology integration in education, where he has played a key role in advancing student-centric learning solutions. David's expertise lies in marrying technological innovation with pedagogical effectiveness, making him a valuable asset in transforming educational experiences. As an advisor for enrollment startups, David provides strategic guidance, helping these companies navigate the complexities of the education sector. His insights are crucial in developing impactful and sustainable enrollment strategies.

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Data Points

• About four in ten * American adults (38%) express a “relatively strong interest and trust” in information sources and navigating digital data.
• Most American adults (roughly 49%) are “relatively disengaged and not very enthusiastic” about information. The rest (13%) are wary or not particularly trusting of data sources.
• The US research universities that are considered “the most selective” spend roughly $150,000 per student ** or “six times the national average.”

The passion for learning and discovery drives many students to pursue graduate studies. Having a higher education usually gives you a sense of pride and achievement. Other factors, such as cultural motivation and family influence, and support, are undeniably paramount when deciding to pursue graduate study.

Students might enroll in graduate courses to prepare for a career that requires a graduate degree, change career paths, or improve their opportunities for advancement. Whatever your reason for pursuing a graduate study, you could have lots of benefits from it.

In 2021 alone, among the 4.43 million college students about to graduate, about 5% will earn a doctorate or professional degree. 

According to Penn State News, graduate education plays a crucial role in the progress of many industries and societies worldwide. Grad students’ contributions to ongoing research help everyone in diverse communities better understand the natural and human world we all live in.

Researchers can use this research to uncover natural, cultural, imaginative, social, technological, and mechanical phenomena and solve problems by pursuing knowledge. Therefore, graduate students are engaged in a societal process that helps society understand the world’s complexity and issues better and a quest for personal growth or an expansion of their learning and understanding. 

Skills You Can Gain From a Graduate Study

The following are some skills that you can acquire in your pursuit of graduate study:

• Exceptional analytical skills
• Extracting data and information from multiple sources, adopting robust hypotheses, and examining them thoroughly
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to use sophisticated instrumentation to perform a variety of analytical techniques
• Working with instruments and equipment that require precision
• Collaborates and supervises others’ work
• Identification of problems and implementation of inventive solutions
• Working independently, as well as in a team

The Utilization Of Online Tools

Due to the virtual nature of learning and working, mastering online tools has become increasingly important. Learners can use technology to become more effective and to optimize their research . It can be beneficial to integrate some helpful technology into the study and thesis-writing process. This will enable you as a grad student to have flexibility in your life. You can have a better work-life balance which allows you to have more chances for employability.

Graduate students need the right tools to assist with their research. By utilizing these tools, your research will not only become more accessible but also more productive, as it will make tasks that otherwise seem tedious much easier.

When you’ve encountered internships while handling research and project reports simultaneously, you can understand how valuable these research tools will be as a busy grad student. Strenuous work and juggling different data can be a lot to take in. With the help of practical tools, you can better organize and prioritize tasks daily.

Regardless of the field of study you are in, this article will showcase helpful tools that will prove to provide ease in your student life. STEM researchers rely on such tools as the bread and butter of their research . Get ready as you delve into the ultimate FREE graduate help tools! 

Free Research Tools for Grad Students

Here’s a rundown of the great apps for grad school, ranging from productivity-enhancing tools to distraction-reducing tools.

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The Grammarly software has changed the way people read and perceive all kinds of text since it was released in July 2009. Several academicians use it, and those working in an office need support for creating documents and articles. This AI-powered tool can correct spelling, grammar, sentences, punctuation, and a lot more.

The majority of your duties as a graduate student will involve writing, editing, and checking research papers. No day passes when you don’t either check something your professor handles for you or write your own report or article. Grammatical rules play a crucial role in professional writing. Grammarly will help you escape and avoid careless mistakes that lead to papers being rejected.

Grammarly is compatible with all platforms. It is easy to install on an MS Word document and is consistent with various plugin browsers like Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Chrome. You can also access it using a mobile device. Signing up is easy and free, and you can navigate effortlessly.

MIT OpenCourseWare

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology created the now-popular MIT OpenCourseWare in 2001 as a self-guided teaching resource for undergraduates and graduate students. Courses can be accessed, downloaded, and shared freely without registering and can be taken at any time. Close to 2500 MIT graduate course materials are available on OpenCourseWare, ranging from the liberal arts to STEM topics. This school app also offers graduate programs in medical care, education, and sustainable energy. You can also watch their lectures on YouTube and listen to podcasts.

Google Scholar

Hundreds of thousands of scholarly articles are available via Google Scholar. These resources have been sourced from historical data until the modern era. Using this resource, graduate students can search hundreds of renowned journal publications from across a broad range of disciplines. Also included in the portal are details about the authors, their books published, and citations. The material is ranked based on its content, where it was published, when it was published, its author, and how often other authors cited it.

Google Scholar, released on November 20, 2004, is a collection of scholarly publications that gives users access to published or upcoming work in the field.

The Google Scholar database is packed with papers from top publishers, making it a perfect tool for grad students like you to utilize documents relevant to your research topics. 

You can use Google Scholar to find citations easily. Visit the site and type in the topic you are searching for. Quote marks will appear next to the topics. The citations for different types of press can be found by clicking on them.

You can also access related articles and go directly to the page of the content you’ve been searching for. If you are looking for a professor but cannot locate their profile, chances are they have a Google Scholar page.

Team Viewer

Founded in 2005, TeamViewer facilitates online remote access and collaboration in more than 160 countries. Users can download the free software for their computers or even download it as an app for their smartphones. TeamViewer will ask for your partner ID once it is installed so you can choose to connect. When the other computer’s password is confirmed, you can be able to access through. 

Working collaboratively is easy with Team Viewer. Graduate students often have to cooperate with professors or other graduate students located elsewhere. When dealing with partners, remotely accessing their PCs can come in handy. It’s possible to monitor each other’s simulations and to control each other’s PCs. The college computer connected to the servers can also be accessed remotely from your laptop. In this way, the process can be significantly accelerated.

This typesetting software is used to write CVs, reports, theses, books, research papers, and the like for academic purposes. Here’s where you can get help if you’re having formatting issues. Moreover, LaTeX can create posters, presentations, journal articles, and anything you need for your grad school.

There are countless templates available that can help you present your hard work accurately. Academicians worldwide use this tool to enhance their research, and it is accessible in both online and offline formats.

You can better take control of your subject by using Grammarly and LaTeX together. If you wonder how some people could write pages using mathematical equations, LaTeX makes it all easily possible. It allows you to write equations just as quickly as writing them down on your hand, no more searching for beta symbols in your Microsoft Word.

Online courses offered by Udemy are far more affordable and can be taken anywhere, anytime. Additionally, some of their classes are provided free of charge. In addition to free resources, the site offers a good deal of video tutorials that help grad students supplement or enhance their coursework.

Udemy is home to the usual coding, computer science, and language subjects and free and brief courses. Among the topics listed on their course list are emotional intelligence, work productivity, leadership, and other soft skills. These subjects are all beneficial for preparing to enter the corporate world after completing your grad studies.  

Academic Earth

Grad school coursework is uncommon and discouraged if it is taken without a strategic purpose. To pursue a particular research topic, you may need to expose yourself to material covered in introductory courses. Thankfully, you do not need to go through with that struggle anymore. 

Several universities participate in Academic Earth, which provides free video lectures from their faculty. Currently, the content is not comprehensive, but it will only grow as more universities participate in the project.

Academic Earth’s objective is to place distance learning at the forefront of higher education. They are making efforts to achieve it by providing a well-curated collection of learning materials created by renowned universities, including Yale, MIT, CalTech, and an increasing number of educational institutions. 

There are also investigative reporting-style short videos on the site, which could aid grad students in essay writing and making research papers. A series of videos on various subjects are provided periodically, from mathematics to information technology, literature to health policy. You can find a whole variety of topic resources from this free tool.

Mendeley Desktop

This software helps researchers organize their work. There’s no better place to save your papers, dissertation, books, and documents than in a single drive that’s accessible and available anywhere in the world. Even if you are far from your computer, you can still access your data by logging in to Mendeley.

On Mendeley’s desktop, you can find all the information about authors, titles, publishers, and abstracts in one place. This makes the process of referencing quicker and more convenient. The papers can also be shared with professors or fellow graduate students, and annotations can be added to make information sharing easier.

A three-person team from Germany created Mendeley Desktop in August 2008, and Elsevier acquired it in 2013. Share data, collaborate on research, and curate research information with this tool. When registering, you get 2GB of free data. Additional memory can be purchased separately. The title, author, and abstract of a paper are all displayed in one block without opening it.

You can have a glimpse of what the article is about while just skimming through the notes. This serves as the overview. What’s good about this software, you ask? It’s available as a plugin on MS Word! Crafting your paper has never been this effortless!

Whatever field of study you’re pursuing, SkillShare is the perfect place to learn! Users learn how to write creatively, develop a website without any coding, use Shopify and Adobe to build a website, build your brand, master the principles of digital analytics, master the concepts of Microsoft Business Intelligence, create articles for children, and more.

You must register to access the videos, which are primarily free. SkillShare can also be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.

Skillshare’s classes are divided into different categories like technology, business, lifestyle, and creativity. There are almost 30,000 classes currently. Skillshare indeed affords you endless opportunities, and you can find a lot of great high-quality courses, but you still have to be picky, as some are also of low quality. Anyone can also become a teacher at Skillshare.

Even though the low-quality classes are removed frequently, there may be occasions when you could still stumble across one. Hence, it’s essential to check reviews first. 

Semantic Scholar

Researchers can explore Semantic Scholar for free to locate the latest publications, articles, and research for STEM programs. Aware of the thousands of scientific papers being published every day, it uses artificial intelligence to guide students through them. 

AI can drive a Semantic Scholar search to display relevant statistics and citations to determine each user’s influence and relevance. The database is not solely dedicated to physical sciences but also to social sciences, psychology, philosophy, and art.

Internet Public Library

This online resource is as simple as it gets. This online database of resources has been classified by subject and provides access to almost every relevant subject in all schools, particularly graduate schools. Despite the lack of a search function, the website contains essays and case studies on various topics. Besides providing extensive information on various online degree programs, it also lists the numerous levels of degrees applicable to each program.

National Archives

The National Archives is the best source of information for graduate students taking history and biography classes. Many significant historical records and documents are kept there, including the Constitution, census data and media copies from World War I and II. If you are working on a documentary or video essay related to any historical topics and many more, these references are helpful.

Descriptions of National Archives holdings are available through the National Archives Catalog, which includes listings for Washington, DC, regional archives, and Presidential Libraries. In its present state, the Catalog comprises 95% of records, each in its series. Thus, you can find basic information about records in the description, including the size and location. 

Duke Options

The Duke Options tool can help grad students explore and choose from a wide range of professional development offerings and build a personalized plan for their professional development in graduate school. 

Duke Options is a tool specially designed for Ph.D. students to support their professional development as they pursue a career in academia. You can customize the planned activities from here by choosing your target competency and stage or academic level.

A link suggestion system on the portal corresponds to the activities in the roadmap, and it is personalized based on the student profile and career objectives. The Duke Options software is available to everyone, but those with NetID credentials can only save the roadmaps and plans.

Harvard University and MIT founded edX, but it now boasts over 140 partner universities from all over the world, providing a vast repository of MOOC materials. Over 2500 courses and programs available on edX are perfect for graduate students interested in enhancing their learning – from liberal arts and humanities to sciences to even law and medicine.

The course also offers assignments and quizzes for tracking progress and understanding; some courses award certificates or micro master’s degrees. Learn how cutting-edge cognitive science underpins edX. 

More than 200 schools and companies partner with Coursera, another popular MOOC site. Free courses are available here and include lectures, assignments, discussion boards, and more. Graduate students can earn specializations, professional certificates, and Master Track certificates for a minimal fee.

College courses delivered online through Coursera are widely praised. The system makes it easy to understand by offering clear syllabi, quizzes, and short essays.

Most courses usually require two hours of video lectures per week. Site navigation is easy, and the interface is straightforward. Quizzes and papers are graded on time, and professors promptly respond to prompt feedback despite most courses having tens of thousands of students enrolled.

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We’re certain of one thing—your search for more information on picking the best graduate degree or school landed you here. Let our experts help guide your through the decision making process with thoughtful content written by experts.

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Common Assignments: Writing a Successful Discussion Post

Writing a successful discussion post, 1. read the discussion prompt carefully..

Pay special attention to:

• Purpose: What question or required reading are you being asked to respond to?
• Particulars: What is the word limit? When is the due date and time? What sources are you expected to draw on?
• Response type: Are you being asked to reflect on personal experience, determine a solution to a problem, compare two ideas, or make an argument?
• Formatting: What formatting has your instructor requested? If no specific formatting is indicated, follow general APA guidelines .
• Expectations: How will your discussion post be assessed? Consult your course materials or instructor.

2. Prepare adequately.

• Before beginning your post, make sure you have read all of the required readings with a critical eye .
• Access your instructor's feedback on previous assignments. Based on that feedback, how do you want to improve in this next post?
• After reading, spend some time jotting down your reactions, ideas, and responses to the reading.
• Determine one-two of your strongest ideas, which you will structure your response around, by assessing the amount of evidence you have to support a particular assertion, response, or claim.
• Logically piece together a rough outline of your evidence to make your claim both clear and persuasive.

3. Construct a draft.

• Discussion post assignments often have multiple questions. Instead of answering each one in order, use a topic sentence  to bring all points together into one central argument, claim, or purpose. 
• Use your evidence to build your response and persuade your readers by supporting your claim with course readings or outside sources (if permitted or required).
• Make sure that each piece of evidence keeps your post focused, relevant, clear, and scholarly in tone .
• Type in sentence case; in an online environment, ALL CAPS feels like yelling.
• Make sure you have adequately cited all information or ideas from outside sources in your post and have added a full reference at the end.

4. Review and revise.

After writing your post, review your ideas by asking yourself:

• Is my main idea clear and relevant to the topic of discussion?
• Does my response demonstrate evidence that I have read and thought critically about required readings?
• Have I proposed a unique perspective that can be challenged by my classmates?
• Do I support my claim with required readings or other credible outside sources?
• Have I used a scholarly tone, avoiding jargon or language that is overly conversational?
• Have I proofread my response for grammar, style, and structure?
• Copy and paste the final version of your draft into the discussion forum.
• Do a quick check to make sure no formatting mishaps occurred while uploading.
• Wait patiently for responses from your classmates.

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How to Prepare a Strong Graduate School Application

You’ve found the perfect graduate program—one with a world-class faculty whose research excites you, an academic experience that will challenge you, a diverse and inclusive culture, a supportive environment with outstanding faculty and peer mentors, and lots of resources to help you succeed no matter which career paths you want to pursue. Now it’s time to convince that program you are a great match for it as well. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare a strong application:

The process of strengthening your graduate school application starts while you are still an undergraduate. Here is a timeline and suggestions for avenues to explore while you are pursuing your undergraduate degree.

Freshman and sophomore years

• Assess your interests, abilities, and career goals
• Identify a mentor 
• Look into graduate school preparation events (e.g., boot camps, pre-application campus visits, summer programs)

Junior year

• Gather information on graduate programs
• Gather application materials
• Learn about entrance examination requirements and dates
• Investigate application deadlines

Pre-Senior Summer

• Narrow your list of graduate schools
• Investigate funding sources
• Write the first draft of your statement of purpose
• Contact recommendation sources

Senior year (Start Early)

• Select the schools you want to apply to
• Register for entrance exams
• Submit completed applications
• Make arrangements to obtain your transcripts for upload into application (8 weeks before application deadline)
• Make arrangements for entrance exam scores to be sent (8 weeks before application deadline)
• Contact recommenders to request strong letters of recommendation (4-6 weeks before application deadline)
• Prepare final versions of your statement of purpose
• Review federal requirements for financial aid
• Complete and submit applications with required fee (at least two weeks prior to the deadline)
• Your fit with the department or program in terms of research goals, work culture, or other measures
• Relevant research or internship experience
• Statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate grades
• Patterns of academic study and relevance of prior coursework to proposed graduate study

Many graduate programs require a personal statement or statement of purpose as part of your application. As you write that statement, keep these suggestions in mind:

• Make the statement about you, your skills, your potential, and your interest in graduate studies in a particular department/program at a particular institution.
• Avoid misrepresentations and grandiose statements.
• Engage the reader using active words.
• Avoid negative or judgmental statements (which usually come across as rude or arrogant).
• Do not describe in detail what you have done. Briefly state and explain what you have learned, how it led to your interests, or how it has prepared you for success in graduate school.
• State why you are interested in graduate school and in a particular field of study.
• Share your motivation and career goals.
• Share why you have chosen to apply to a particular institution.
• If possible, indicate faculty with whom you have an interest to work.
• Do your homework: Know the school. Know the admissions and enrollment statistics for your department or program of interest. Know application deadlines.
• Avoid form essays.
• Follow the application directions and guidelines for each institution.

Most Ph.D. programs require an interview—whether on campus or via videoconference—for applicants they are considering for admission, and some master’s programs may require an interview as well. This is your chance to meet with faculty who might potentially sponsor your graduate study. It’s also an opportunity to gather more information about the program. Here is some guidance to help you make a good impression and get the most out of the experience.

• Before your interview, look closely at the website for the schools and departments you’re applying to. 
• Show that you have done your homework on the program’s faculty’s research and be able to talk about specific faculty whose work interests you.
• Your research interest
• How your educational and professional background has prepared you for graduate study
• Why this particular program would be a good fit for you
• If you are applying to the same institution where you did your undergraduate, why you think that institution (and that program) is still the best program for your graduate study
• Typical funding and how it compares to living expenses in the area
• The program’s teaching or research requirements 
• The departmental culture (e.g., are diversity and inclusion priorities for the department and for the university? Do students from different walks of life feel like they belong?) 
• Resources for professional development and student wellbeing
• The environment of support for graduate students, both in the department and in the university at large
• The point of contact for questions