Master's Graduates Research Articles

A Master's degree and graduate diploma in palliative care

The development, structure and curriculum of a multidisciplinary academic course in palliative care leading to awards at graduate diploma and Master's level is outlined. Offered by the Flinders University of South Australia, the course is open to foreign students through distance education.

In-service high school mathematics teacher training in Mexico

Since the training of high school mathematics teachers in Mexico is not organized in form of a well defined teacher training program, those teachers go into high school mathematics teaching without being specially prepared for it. This situation makes in-service teacher training more and more important. Most of it is done by means of graduate (Master's) degrees in mathematics education.

Enrollment Trends in Schools of Public Affairs and Administration: A Search for Winners and Losers

ity (1983-89). Using adjusted enrollment data, James Conant examines several often-mentionedfactors (type of university, public orprivate; geographic region; type ofprogram; enrollment size) and finds mixed results, with different patterns emergingfor different schools depending on the period and variable under consideration. The research does point to special problems for programs located in private universities, as well as more general concerns for the future that should be addressed by allpublic affairs and administration programs. The Directory (1990) of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) contains data on graduate (masters level) enrollments in public administration from academic year 1972-73 through 1988-89. A review of the data shows three distinct periods or trends in masters level enrollments over the past two decades: rapid growth between 1972-73 and 1978-79, sharp decline between 1978-79 and 198283, and relative stability between 1982-83 and 1988-89 (Table 1). The NASPAA data show that during the period of enrollment decline, graduate enrollments in member and nonmember schools of public affairs and administration plummeted 25 percent, from 28,191 to 21,138. The data also show that between 1982-83 and 1988-89 enrollments recovered somewhat, moving gradually upward from 21,138 to 23,416.

Job Opportunities in Newspaper Research for JMC Master's Graduates

Research is well-established in the newspaper industry and growing in importance at papers of all sizes, newspaper researchers say. The projected growth in importance of newspaper research suggests potentially rich career opportunities for graduates with the appropriate education, training and experience.

The graduate record examination and master of public administration programs

The Graduate Record Examination is probably the most celebrated and controversial element of all entrance requirements to graduate school. Yet little is known about how test scores are used. This study reports the findings from a national survey of Master of Public Administration programs. Following a discussion dealing with the evolution of and literature on standardized testing, the extent, rationale, and role of the test in admissions procedures are explored. The analysis closes with a brief commentary on the part that objective examinations can play in public administration programs.

“Post-Graduate Group Supervision for Art Therapists”

AbstractThis article describes the experiences of three recent graduates of an Art Therapy Master's Degree Program as they participated in a postgraduate supervision group. The group offered the participants a context for exploring and developing their emerging identity as clinicians by sharing and confronting their clinical work with one another. The six most important themes that emerged are discussed by the participants: 1) Beginning treatment/assessing clients; 2) Establishing goals; 3) Therapists' techniques; 4) What is psychotherapy anyway?; 5) Understanding transference; and 6) Clinical style.

Um instrumento para identificação do rigor científico em trabalhos e relatórios de pesquisa

O objetivo do presente trabalho é apresentar um instrumento para identificação do rigor científico em trabalhos e relatórios de pesquisa da linha positivista e relatar as principais etapas consideradas como necessárias para o desenvolvimento do mesmo. Trata-se de um questionário tipo chek-list desenvolvido, testado e aplicado por um grupo de sete mestrandas que objetivava inicialmente, coletar dados referentes às características gerais e as fases do processo de pesquisa utilizadas nas dissertações do Curso de Mestrado em Enfermagem da UFSC. O marco teórico utilizado para a elaboração do mesmo foi o Processo de Pesquisa de POLIT e HUNGLER. Posteriormente, ao analisarmos a escassez de referências relacionadas ao tema, os cuidados dispensados em todas as etapas de elaboração do mesmo, bem como os índices encontrados nos testes de validade e confiabilidade a que o instrumento foi submetido, concluímos que o mesmo pode constituir-se em importante subsídio para o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas em nossa área por facilitar a avaliação metodológica do produto científico e por apoiar iniciantes em pesquisas, uma vez que o mesmo pode ser utilizado como um guia de como a pesquisa pode ser desenvolvida.

A survey of University of Pittsburgh Child Development and Child Care graduates, 1970?1984

Baccalaureate and master's graduates of the University of Pittsburgh Program in Child Development and Child Care from 1970–1984 were surveyed on employment history, conditions of current employment, professional development, and evaluation of the Child Development and Child Care Program. The prototypical program graduate was pleased with training, committed to working in the field, and professionally active. Comparisons are made between B.S. and M.S. graduates, early graduates and later graduates, and M.S. program graduates and B.S. graduates with master's degrees in other fields. Master's graduates were distinguished by higher salaries and greater professional activity. The findings demonstrate that university-based professional education for child and youth care practice can be successful along the dimensions considered in this survey.

Trends in master's education in nursing

This study was designed to identify trends in master's level graduate nursing education programs over the five years from 1979 to 1984. In 1979, National League for Nursing-accredited master's programs numbered 81; by 1984, they had increased by 46 per cent to 118 programs. Data related to these accredited programs were analyzed to identify changes in admission requirements, program offerings, and thesis or comprehensive examination requirements. Chi-square analyses were used to identify significant differences over the five-year time period. With respect to admission requirements, there were no differences between 1979 and 1984 requirements regarding the bac-calaureate degree and preadmission aptitude examination. However, compared with 1979, significantly more programs in 1984 required the applicant to have nursing experience, an undergraduate statistics course, and health assessment skills. Significantly fewer programs offered nursing education as a primary area of study in 1984. Conversely, there has been a significant increase in the number of gerontology majors. Overall, there was a significant trend toward specialty majors, most noticeable although not statistically significant in the medical-surgical and psychiatric/mental health clinical areas. With respect to thesis and examination requirements, there was no significant change in thesis requirements over the five-year period. However, there was a significant increase in the number of programs requiring comprehensive examinations. Continued monitoring of changes in graduate programs is recommended to provide information for future program planning.

The job search in community psychology: a survey of recent graduates.

Several studies have examined the employment status of those who identify themselves as community psychologists (Bachman, Smith, & Jason, 1980; Skotko, 1980). However, little empirical research has been conducted examining the transition from the university to the employment setting for graduates of community psychology programs. A study of one master 's level program found graduates to be highly competitive in finding employment. Graduates tended to obtain positions as administrators, to be employed in nontraditional (i.e., nonmental health) human service agencies, and, for the most part, to have position titles that did not include the designation psychologist (Paelet, 1978). At the Austin Conference students involved in communi ty psychology training programs voiced concern regarding future employment opportunities in the field (Meyer, 1977). They argued that these issues were of significant concern and timeliness to justify attention, and that basic information would also provide current and prospective graduate students guidelines in job hunting. The purpose of this investigation is to provide such information to better understand the job search for new community psychologists. In a previous study we examined issues of skill training among recent graduates of master's

Faculty and student perceptions of computer applications in nursing.

The purpose of this study was to describe a) faculty, baccalaureate, and master's students' perceptions of their level of current knowledge and their level of desired knowledge about aspects of computer applications in nursing, and b) faculty's perceptions of the level of knowledge about computer applications in nursing that baccalaureate and master's students should have. In addition, the following hypothesis was tested: faculty's perceptions of their level of current knowledge about aspects of computer applications in nursing is positively associated with computer usage. The sample included 124 baccalaureate students, 105 master's students, and 71 faculty members from a school of nursing at a large urban university. Data were collected using a modified version of Judith Ronald's questionnaire which addressed 21 computer areas (Ronald JS: Learning needs and attitudes of nursing educators with respect to computers, in Dayhoff RE (Ed.): Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care. New York, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 1983, pp 523–527). Results indicated that students and faculty had low levels of knowledge about computer applications and desired high levels. Faculty thought that baccalaureate graduates should have moderate levels of knowledge and that master's graduates should have high levels of knowledge. The areas of how to use a computer and how computers help nurses care for patients were high priorities for learning. Faculty computer usage was shown to be positively associated with reported current knowledge. Findings indicate the need for faculty opportunities for learning in the area of computer applications in nursing and the need to Integrate such content into curriculums.

Relationship of Occupational Therapists' Education and Experience to Perceived Value of Theory Development

The development and validation of theoretical bases for intervention have been identified as crucial goals for the profession of occupational therapy. An earlier study showed that recent graduates at the baccalaureate level tended to place less value on theory development than theory application, whereas graduates of professional master's degree or certificate programs in occupational therapy placed a significantly higher value on theory development. This finding led to speculation that theory valuing may be related to professional experience and maturity. This study sought to determine if attitudes of occupational therapists toward theory development are related to their level of education or to their length of professional experience. Using a survey instrument devised by the author, data were collected from a sample of 138 experienced therapists and compared with data collected earlier from recent graduates. Results indicated that both longevity of practice as well as level of education were associated with high priorities for theory development.

Results of a National Survey of Graduates of Bilingual Education Programs

A national sample of graduates of bilingual education programs at the doctoral, master's, and bachelor's levels was surveyed by mail and by telephone to determine what proportion of them had entered the field of bilingual education and to describe the jobs they held. Results of the survey, conducted under contract to the U.S. Department of Education, indicated that the vast majority of the graduates were applying their skills to the education of students with limited English proficiency. The majority of the graduates of bachelor's and master's programs were working as elementary teachers, 94 percent of them with Spanish-speaking pupils. More than two thirds taught ESL. Three quarters of the teacher-trainer graduates held positions involving either teacher training or administration. Those teaching in college and university settings taught broad-based courses, while those training teachers in school-district settings taught more functionally oriented courses. The survey results provide national baseline data on employment outcomes of bilingual education training programs.

Art Therapy Supervision

This three-part article addresses specific phases of art therapy supervision: beginning, middle and termination. The authors (Wilson, Riley and Wadeson) identify special skills needed to successfully supervise graduate art therapy interns. They emphasize the integration of theory and art expression, the effective use of the art therapy or psychotherapy modalities and the supervisory relationship. The authors suggest that the articles be read as three brief chapters in a manual focused on art therapy supervision.Each of the authors is an art psychotherapist or an art therapist/educator, who guides master's level art therapy students in practicum experiences. An art therapy internship is arranged by each university and clinical supervisors meet a level of professionalism that is set by the graduate program.In addition, each author has administrative duties, teaching obligations and extensive clinical experience. This combination of skills provides the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for the successful selection, continuing support and education of good supervisors.To supervise graduate master's level-students, the American Art Therapy Association recommends that the art therapist/supervisor be Registered. The authors agree that in addition to registration, the supervisor should have additional training in the special skills of supervision.The initial motivation for exploring these issues of supervision was stimulated by the interest expressed by educators, supervisors, and supervisees at recent conferences of the American Art Therapy Association (Riley, 1982, 1983 and 1984). Panel discussions were offered and participants became aware that very little material was available to guide the art therapy supervisor. This three-part article is the result of the authors' collaborations and continuing interest in providing some guidelines to answer this need.In these writings, supervision is referred to in the context of a relationship between an experienced art therapy supervisor and a graduate art therapy student/intern who is training as a therapist in an approved practicum setting. This supervision process requires at least one hour per week, over a prescribed time; it is usually an individual session, but it also can be supplemented by small group supervision.Additional information is available in the guidelines for master's level programs published by the American Art Therapy Association.

Systematized nursing assistance--a learning experience

Esta experiência foi desenvolvida em um hospital geral governamental em São Paulo, no período de agosto a setembro de 1982, como trabalho de campo da disciplina de Fundamentos de Enfermagem II do curso de Pós-Graduação em nível de Mestrado da EEUSP. Os objetivos propostos foram aprendizado e Implantação da assistência de enfermagem sistematizada e orientação da equipe de enfermagem envolvida. A metodologia utilizada foi iniciada com um planejamento anterior à aplicação prática, com o estudo dos impressos disponíveis na instituição e o estabelecimento de quatro fases do processo: histórico, plano assistencial, prescrição e evolução de enfermagem. Foi desenvolvida por três alunas com supervisão de uma docente, com trabalho diário de seis horas pela manhã, sem solução de continuidade. A unidade escolhida foi a de clínica médica e nefrologia, sendo atendidos, com assistência de enfermagem sistematizada, 22 pacientes. Na avaliação do trabalho são apresentadas sugestões da possibilidade do processo de enfermagem ser desenvolvido em apenas três fases: histórico, prescrição e evolução de enfermagem com a utilização de um mínimo de impressos novos.

Entry-level master's degree. A decade of experience.

All of the graduates of the entry-level master's degree program at Stanford University from 1970 to 1980 were surveyed. A total of 207 questionnaires was mailed out, and 155 graduates returned the questionnaire for a response rate of 75 percent. Descriptive data were gathered on employment characteristics, professional contributions, and demographic information. Over 95.3 percent of the respondents were employed in physical therapy and 81.7 percent were engaged full time. The majority of the graduates practiced in acute-care general hospitals. Professional advancement occurred most frequently by changing facilities rather than promotions within the institution. The major job responsibility was patient care, with teaching next in importance. A strong commitment to participate in the clinical education of new professionals existed. A limited number of graduates were engaged in research, and little time was designated for this purpose.

Setting up a school guidance-counseling program: A naturalistic experiment in testing professional competence

The goals of the three-year experiment described here are: (1) to set up a prototype school guidance-counseling program as a model for schools interested in starting such a program; (2) to correct some of the existing misconceptions about the functions and practices of guidance services in Turkey; and (3) to evaluate the professional competency of the graduates of a two-year master's program in guidance and counseling at Bogazici University, Department of Education.

Ability Testing and Graduate Admissions: Decision Process Modeling and Validation

The admissions process for a graduate Master of Business Administration (MBA) program was modeled for 406 applicants to a newly designed MBA program. The decision process model was then applied to a sample of students admitted to and enrolled in an old MBA program, where less stringent admissions procedures had been used. Results supported the adequacy of both Graduate Management Admission Test scores and undergraduate grades in the prediction of admissions officer decisions as well as the validity of such information in the prediction of graduate performance and turnover. The results are discussed in light of the recent criticisms of the use of standardized tests as admissions criteria for programs of higher education.

Occupations of Indonesian graduates

Despite a considerable increase in the number of graduates in Indonesia, they still remain a minute fraction of the labour force. The majority are in the professional, administrative, and clerical occupations, and employed by the state mostly in a civilian, some in a military, capacity. Ever larger numbers of the available graduates have been moving into state employment. The occupations mentioned are also the most highly paid, with the administrative far ahead of the professional and clerical. The largest group of graduates had qualified in law, the social sciences, arts and sciences; the next largest in teaching. Health, agriculture, and the technological subjects of engineering and communications had attracted only a relatively small proportion. Not more than half of the graduates were in occupations for which their studies were specifically relevant, and holders of the Bachelor (Sarjana Muda) degree were less likely than Masters (Sarjana) to be so employed. The largest proportion of graduates in related occupations had qualified in teaching and health, while the smallest had studied law, the social sciences, arts, and sciences, a few more the vocational subjects of agriculture and engineering. Selection for senior positions appears as important as training for specific occupations. Teaching and health were also the two subjects with the highest proportion of graduates among the professionals. However, they were not particularly well represented among the better-paid administratives. Here, graduates in agriculture, engineering and the law, the social sciences, arts and sciences were much better favoured. Some occupations show a certain concentration of graduates in specific subjects; in particular, half of the graduates in the professional group were trained as teachers. However, no occupation is the preserve of any one subject. There were more Bachelor than Master graduates in all groups except the professional and administrative, where the reverse was the case. One may conclude that both these groups gave a certain preference to Masters, and were in turn the targets of those so qualified.

Counseling Women: A Graduate Master's Degree Specialization for Training Mental Health Professionals to Work with Women

This article describes a unique master's level specialization for counselors of women and highlights the rationale for instituting this specialized training program, the training format, the program curriculum, and the evaluation methods employed. Also included is a discussion of the systemic implication of such training as it affects those being trained, the training institution itself, and the delivery of mental health services.