Open Graduate Education

Information SessionsDecember 11, 2019

Presented by:

Andrew G. Campbell / Vanessa Ryan / Thomas A. Lewis / Kirk Robinson

Open Graduate Education ProgramThe program enables doctoral students to pursue a master’s degree in a secondary field, which may be far from the doctoral field.

Unique combinations of study enable students to …• Broaden the academic experience by earning a master’s degree in a

secondary field concurrently with the Ph.D.• Write a unique dissertation requiring knowledge of more than one

field.• Bring a wider base of expertise to the job market.• Be a leader who catalyzes new interdisciplinary pursuits.

Open Graduate Education ProgramMellon Foundation Grants:

• Support participants in Humanities and Social Sciences• 2011: $2,000,000 Mellon grant launches program

• Graduate School has contributed over $1M in student support)• 2018: $1,675,000 Mellon grant renewal

Outcomes:

• Fostering Integrative Research and Unique Dissertations• Enabling Professional Development and Careers• Broadening Intellectual and Scholarly Horizons• Empowering Students to Pursue a Full Master’s Degree

The First Eight CohortsEight cohorts so far:

� 2012: 9 students� 2013: 9 students� 2014: 11 students� 2015: 11 students� 2016: 10 students� 2017: 11 students� 2018: 9 students� 2019: 11 students

2014 Cohort

2017 Cohort

Application DetailsOpen to all doctoral students

• For 2020-21, we aim for a cohort size of about 10

• Selection based on application

ØApplication on UFunds (Graduate School Distinctive Opportunities)

ØApplications are due February 14, 2020

• We continue to evolve the program; evaluations include multiyear tracking and follow up

12/12/19

Participating Master’s Programs

www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/open-graduate-education-participating-programs

Program Parameters• Funding to complete both degrees within the 6-

year timeframe.

• Must fulfill doctoral program requirements, including teaching and research.

• No more than 2 courses can be counted for both the PhD and second master’s degree. Transitional Master’s courses cannot be counted.

• Cannot take undergraduate courses below 1000 level to attain prerequisites.

You Propose the Path to DegreesA. Take a continuous, light course load in the secondary field

while pursuing the doctoral education.

B. Or, complete the master’s degree quickly, so as to feed the knowledge into dissertation research.

C. Or, pursue the master’s coursework after doctoral coursework and other pre-dissertation work is completed.

It is up to YOU to propose a viable, rational and interesting path.

Application Includes: •Application Form• Recommendations forms for:

1.Your DGS 2. DGS of master’s program3. Primary advisor

Share your own application form with each in advance.

Application in UFunds

Selection Criteria

• Open Grad should enable interdisciplinary scholarship that otherwise would not be possible.

• Strength of the support letters.

• Credentials in the proposed master’s field.

• Viability of the path of study.

Student Experience: Panel• What steps did you take as you put together

your application?

• How have you managed your time and commitments?

• What advice would you give to interested students?

• What has been the value of being in Open Grad?

Questions?

Please see the Open Grad FAQs - For Students

Open Graduate Education

Applications due: February 14, 2020