Description

As a graduate student working on your doctoral capstone or dissertation, you may be finding it hard to motivate yourself to complete the work. In this micro-course, participants will learn about non-cognitive skills that contribute to perseverance, motivation, and self-regulation for completing the capstone process. Sections of the course include breaking through negative systems of socialization, overcoming imposter syndrome, harnessing a strong internal locus of control, and leveraging positive socialization experiences.

What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of this micro-course, you will be able to:

Understand how being in a liminal space can manifest anxiety about performance and expectations.
Understand cycles of socialization and aspects of socialization that can impact mindset and identity.
Confront imposter syndrome.
Differentiate between internal and external locus of control and when to take responsibility.
Engage in prescribed socialization to foster a completion mindset.

Eligibility

Must be 18 or older

Refund Policy

You will have 24 hours, or until you receive your completion certificate, to request a full refund after purchase, whichever comes first. No hidden fees. All books and materials are included with purchase.

Faculty Bio

Dr. Heidi Marshall

Dr. Heidi Marshall serves as the Program Manager for Walden University's Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services, where she oversees strategic development of co-curricular support courses. She holds her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education and Adult Learning and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. Dr. Marshall has worked in a wide variety of academic roles, including as a senior lead instructor for writing, dissertation editor and coach, peer mentor program director, associate director for academic skills, and learning center director. Dr. Marshall's professional passion working with adult online learners is diverse and is complemented by initiatives for faculty development, teaching and learning, and research on the advancement of women in higher education leadership.

Curriculum

Where You Are and Where You Want to Be
Adult online learners can find themselves in a series of liminal spaces where they are unfamiliar with what is expected of them or how to meet those expectations. The start of the dissertation (or thesis, project study, or publication) process is one such liminal space.
Breaking Through Negative Systems of Socialization
Socialization is a powerful phenomenon and, as you just learned, it's an essential component of successful self-directed learning. However, not all socialization is positive. How we have been socialized throughout our lifetime can lead us to fixed beliefs about who we are and what we are able to achieve or accomplish, and this can have negative consequences when it comes to completing the doctoral journey.
Confronting Failures and Imposter Syndrome
Graduate students often fall victim to imposter syndrome--that perception that you do not belong, are not good enough, or do not have the same level of knowledge and experience as those around you. This can be triggered by previous failures and the lack of positive socialization, and it can lead to procrastination or even paralysis when it comes to making progress on your dissertation. The good news is that once confronted, imposter syndrome can be overcome!
Harnessing Locus of Control
Locus of control refers how you perceive the underlying causes of events in your life and the extent to which you believe you have control or are able to control events and their outcomes. A high external locus of control means you tend to blame external forces--forces outside of yourself--for events and consequences; whereas, high internal locus of control means you tend to blame internal forces--your own actions and practices. Finding the right balance is key to lasting motivation and a completion mindset.
Being Vulnerable and Leveraging Socialization
Graduate students are also prone to thinking that they should "have it all together" and that there is a stigma associated with asking for or needing a little extra help. No one has it all together, and support services and resources exist for that very reason! Knowing where to find them and how to use them is critical to your successful degree completion. Regardless of whether you are more of an internal or more of an external, learning to control your circumstances regardless of the situation at hand can go a long way in sustaining you through to degree completion. In other words, all learners can benefit from taking advantage of structured socialization and systems of support.

Features

Exclusive Video Interview with Dr. Carol Dweck

Learn from a leading mindset scholar about the power of effort and mindset.

Actionable and Practical Take-Aways

End your lessons with clear, actionable, and practical steps you can take to move towards capstone completion.

Flexible Learning

Learn through easily consumable segments to adapt your studies around your busy life.

Awards

Micro-Course Badge for Maintaining Motivation for Capstone Completion

$45.00

How To Enroll?

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How to enroll?

1Add course to cart
2Create your account
3Register for course
4Make payment and submit application
5Start learning

-or-

email [email protected] for additional assistance

Who is this for

Doctoral and master’s students entering into the final stage of degree completion: completing their capstone project.
Aspiring learners wishing to pursue a doctoral degree