I have been supervising graduate students for just over three years, but my experience has led me to believe that there needs to be a separate 1-credit seminar course on "Orientation to Graduate Research." I have come to this conclusion from hearing of the many reasons graduate students give for not making reasonable progress with their research. Despite my using proven strategies of setting up a workplan, guiding, supporting, and monitoring their progress, many times I receive more excuses than actual completed tasks. In fact, 80% of master's students at a School of Education request extensions on thesis submission deadlines yearly. Do you think there should be a separate 1-credit seminar course to properly orient graduate students to the demands and expectations of graduate research? Your views are much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Debra