| What is Graduate School? |
| Graduate school or graduate study is a specialized and demanding study of a field of interest beyond the Bachelor degree. Graduate programs offer an in-depth study of a concentrated academic area. Graduate programs vary in the number of credit hours in length and lead to a master’s degree, a certificate of advanced study, or a doctorate. For more information, please see our guide to graduate school. |
| What is a MASTER’S degree? |
| The traditional graduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences are the Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Master of Science (M.S.) degrees, which take one to two academic years of full-time study to complete. The M.A., in one of the liberal arts fields, generally requires a thesis as part of its degree completion (or comprehensive exams) whereas the M.S. usually requires a project or scientific research. |
| Master degrees besides the M.A., and M.S. are many, and emphasize practical knowledge and skills such as business, law, and medicine. Some professional programs that award a Masters degree are an M.B.A.(Master of Business Administration), an M.S.W.(Master of Social Work), an M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts), an M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) to name a few. |
| What is a Certificate of Advanced Studies? |
| (C.A.S.), Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S), Professional Diplomas and Specialist Certificates are post-master’s programs and involve additional coursework beyond the master’s i.e. six years) and are intended to further expertise in a discipline. |
| What is a DOCTORAL Degree? |
| A doctorate degree signifies the highest degree of education that can be earned. In addition to coursework, it requires the pursuit of original research culminating in a dissertation. Some individuals, particularly those interested in college teaching or research, go on to obtain a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) after receiving a Masters degree. Other doctoral degrees include Ed.D., in the discipline of education, and the Psy.D. (in Psychology). A J.D. is awarded for law, an M.D. is awarded for medicine. These programs vary in the number of credit hours required to complete each program. Most however, require a total of at least six years of college work for completion. |
| Why Go To Graduate School? |
| One of the best reasons for attending graduate school is earning a degree that will allow you to work in certain fields which require specialized training. The pursuit of graduate study is often driven by a love of knowledge for its own sake and wanting to delve into a specialization. The ability to keep pace with current developments in the labor market as new jobs are created is also a great reason to consider graduate education. |
| Before you begin researching graduate programs, it may be helpful to evaluate your reasons for attending graduate school, as it is a significant investment of your time, energy, and money. A common misconception about graduate school is that it is a continuation of your undergraduate days. In graduate school, there is a presumption that you have made a well-informed and focused choice about what you are now studying. Not having a clear career direction or following the dreams or expectations of others, can be signals of the need for thorough self –assessment. If you are uncertain about your career or educational goals, you may want to speak with a career counselor. Know that graduate school focuses on the importance of research and relationships. Graduate school is driven by research. Whether pursuing a degree in political science or chemistry, the bulk of graduate work involves performing intensive research, either in a laboratory or a library. One should consider this reality carefully before pursuing the application process further. |
| The other aspect of graduate school that is important to remember is that the development of relationships among other academics and scholars is a key part of the whole experience. A good relationship with a professor as an undergraduate, for example, can lead to a satisfying independent study or thesis and can be a strong demonstration of interest in and competence for graduate research. Relationships developed with fellow students in graduate school are also critical, as these relationships will form the nucleus of your professional network in academia. |
| How do I learn about graduate programs? |
There is a multitude of available resources. A good place to begin your research is to talk with faculty members and other persons you respect about schools and programs. Alumni are good contacts for information. Web sites, such as the many listed here are required reading. Peterson’s Guides to Graduate Education books are easy to use and provide program profiles including degrees offered, enrollment statistics, admission and degree requirements, costs, availability of financial aid, research facilities, phone numbers, and addresses to request information and catalogs. They also offer in depth information about the application process, required tests, types of aid available, letters of reference and application essays. Peterson’s guides can be found on the web at Peterson’s Education Center.
Additional information on program specifics can be obtained from the school’s graduate catalog and from the academic department. |
| Factors to Consider: |
- Quality of the Program
- Other Program Aspects
- Career Opportunities
- Cost
- What is the reputation of the school, department, and faculty?
- What are the admissions standards for the school or program?
- Is the degree program properly accredited?
- Is the program content consistent with other programs you have investigated?
- What are the offerings related to your interests?
- Is work experience required to enter the program (e.g., top MBA programs require two years of full-time work experience before starting their programs)?
- What is the ratio of professors to students and what kind of interaction is there between students and professors?
- What is the quality of the facilities (library/laboratories/computer)?
- What is the level and breadth of scholarly inquiry, research programs?
- What is the faculty’s approach to teaching and student development?
- Can the program be completed on both a full or part-time basis?
- Is a thesis, comprehensive exam, or internship required for graduation?
- How many credit hours are needed to complete the program?
- Is there a language requirement for the program?
- How diverse is the school? Does it promote academic success for all groups?
- Will you be compatible with the college environment and culture of the graduate department?
- How do employers view graduates of this program or school?
- Have graduates of this program been successful in finding employment?
- Does the school or program provide assistance with a job search?
- Are the school’s employment contacts nationally and locally based?
- What is the projected total cost including tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, etc?
- What internships, assistantships, and other experiential education opportunities are available in addition to other financial aid resources?
- What is the cost of living in the area where the program is located?
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| Students interested in Professional Health Careers should seek advisement from the pre-health professions advisor, Dr. Liz Cowles, in the Biology Department, Goddard Hall 465-4369 |
| Students interested in Law School should seek advisement from the Law School Advisor. |
| Writing a Personal Statement |
You can make an appointment with one of our Career Counselors or the Writing Center review your draft.
Helpful Links:
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| Graduate School Information |
| Information on scholarships, fellowships, graduate school rankings and writing personal statements can be found throughout this web site. Other resources may be found in the J. Eugene Smith Library career section. |
GRE, GMAT, LSAT
Applications for these graduate school entrance exams are available in the Library in the career section. View more information about test preparation here. |
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