Doctoral Support Center

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How the Doctoral Support Center (DSC) can best help students:

 

  1. Feedback on student writing for clarity, flow, logic, and general APA issues.
    1. By appointment, the DSC provides feedback on course paper drafts for Rossier doctoral students.
    2. The first year of the program is the best time for a student to seek DSC feedback- ideally for final class papers.
    3. Students who struggle with early class assignments should be encouraged to contact the DSC for assistance.
    4. Students in the Educational Leadership (EdL) program can also seek feedback on dissertation work (prior to chair review). This feedback is for dissertation writing, as well as for proposal and final defense presentations (PowerPoint review and mock defense practice).
    5. Each request by a student for feedback should be made online: REQUEST FORM
  2. Online Resources
    1. Students and Faculty are encouraged to review and use a Doctoral Writing Guidance Google Document managed by the DSC. Students are particularly encouraged to use this while writing.
    2. Navigating the Dissertation also contains helpful information.
    3. DSC Blog
  3. Presentations and Workshops
    1. The DSC aims to put together relevant presentations and workshops. Please contact the DSC if you have any special requests.
    2. New students (and their faculty) are encouraged to skim through our Tips for Better Academic Writing recording. The downloadable files and links within this presentation are also helpful.
  4. Special Events and Retreats
    1. Weekend Write events are designed to provide doctoral students an opportunity to write in a dedicated time and space.
    2. Operation Dissertation Acceleration (ODA) retreat participation is ideal for EdL students seeking to make substantive writing progress within a short period.
  5. Live Meetings (in-person, phone, or webcam), by appointment

 

FAQs

  1. Editing help? – Students in search of editing assistance should contact their chair, committee members, and/or instructors. The DSC does not maintain a list of professional editors.
  2. Writing Center assistance? – With the exception of online students, the USC Writing Center offers support.
  3. Who is the wonderful person at the library that I heard about? – Melanee Vicedo of USC Libraries offers a wealth of research guides and information.
Posted in Campus Resources.