UNMC holds first dissertation boot camp

UNMC will hold its first dissertation boot camp in August. The event, which now is open for registration, is designed to provide Ph.D. candidates with tips and strategies for completing their dissertation.

“Dissertation boot camps have become fairly common in the academic community,” said Pamela Carmines, Ph.D., assistant dean for UNMC Graduate Studies. “We are excited to offer this opportunity to our doctoral candidates.”

The four-day event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1-4, and will feature:

  • access to writing experts;
  • dedicated writing time;
  • strategies to get and stay on track;
  • resources to utilize after the boot camp is completed; and
  • optional lunchtime workshops, with topics that may include a grammar refresher course and tips for writing productively, time management or navigating the electronic submission process.

Registration closes June 27 and seating is limited. There is a $75 fee (billed to the candidate’s student account), but it will be waived in full upon completion of the four-day boot camp. Only students who fail to complete the program must pay the fee.

“This program can be a real benefit to our doctoral candidates who have largely completed their dissertation project and are in the process of writing the dissertation,” Dr. Carmines said. “In fact, data from other universities indicate that participating in a dissertation boot camp shortens the time to degree for Ph.D. students.”

The candidate’s principal investigator or supervisor must approve participation, because the four-day event will require that participants be released from other duties.

Dr. Carmines added that, for doctoral candidates who are not quite at the writing stage of their dissertation, UNMC’s second boot camp is scheduled for Jan. 3-6, 2017.

For more information or to register, click here.