What is Graduate Education?

A graduate program involves specialized knowledge and concentrated study in one area. In this respect it differs from undergraduate study, which introduces you to a wide range of subjects, even though you major in one, and gives you certain general intellectual skills - reading critically, writing clearly, and arguing persuasively.

A graduate program is generally more focused on a specific area of interest and on acquiring specialized skills to practice a profession or do advanced research. However, it does not merely entail an additional number of courses. It requires active participation in the discovery of new knowledge. Frequently internships to practice professional skills are part of the curriculum.

There are two kinds of graduate degrees, professional degrees and research degrees, and two levels, master's and doctoral.

At the master's level, a professional degree gives you a specific set of skills needed to practice a particular profession. It is generally a final degree. On the other hand, the research master's provides experience in research and scholarship, and it may be a final degree or a step toward a doctorate.

The master's degree usually takes one or two years of study. The professional master's degree often involves some type of internship or fieldwork. The research degree may involve writing a thesis or taking a comprehensive examination.

At the doctoral level, there are also professional degrees and research degrees. The most common professional degrees are the M.D. for medical practice, or the J.D. for law.

The research doctoral degree involves training in research, which provides the skills to discover new knowledge. It is the primary credential for college-level teaching. The doctoral degree typically involves both coursework and a major research project. It usually takes 4 to 6 years of full-time study to get a Ph.D. (CGS, 1999).

First Steps

The following are steps to take which will help you determine if graduate school is the right decision for you.

Determine your personal goals.
Conduct an honest appraisal of your priorities, academic strengths, and personal interests. Once you have identified a general field of study, seek the advice of your instructors for information on options within the field.

The next step is an evaluation of your career objectives.
The professional degree will advance your career in a particular area, especially if you have some work experience related to that profession. It is a relatively short-term investment of time and money that leads generally to increased salary, greater mobility, more responsibility, and greater job security.

Learn what graduate and professional schools are all about.
Do you know what a master's degree is? How about a doctoral degree? Are you interested in research, teaching or a professional career? Do you want to become a faculty member at a small liberal arts school or at a major research institution? Do you want to obtain an accredited degree to become a licensed professional in your chosen career? Start asking yourself questions such as these to help you look for a program that will best meet your needs.

Look at your credentials.
Keep in mind that an admissions committee will be looking at all your credentials, so it is possible that strong aspects of your credentials could make up for weaker aspects. They may also be willing to consider mitigating factors such as a heavy work schedule. It is important for you to be realistic with yourself about your credentials.

Obtain good references.
Good letters from faculty describing your ability to excel in graduate school strongly influence admissions decisions. If faculty don't know you, they can't write a good reference letter for you. Ask questions in class, go to office hours, show interest in the subject. Work hard so the professor will notice and be familiar with your work.

Prepare for the Graduate Entrance Exams.
These exams may be a pivotal aspect of your credentials, and preparing for them is very helpful.

Plan early.
Know all the deadlines. Be aware that graduate school application deadlines are often in the late fall.

Selecting a Graduate School

Become familiar with faculty and their research.
Talk to faculty members and take a look at recent books and articles written by them. Also, take into account the academic reputation and ranking of the department you are interested in at the college or university that you are considering. A school may be ranked highly overall, but the department you are interested in may not be. Consider a university or college because of its departmental ranking, not just its overall ranking. Make sure you know why it is highly ranked.

Consider the cost and availability of financial aid.
Keep in mind the entire cost of attending a school in that community and compare that amount with the available support. Some schools may be out of your price range and may not offer sufficient aid.

Investigate the environment of the university or college.
Is there an environment of support for graduate students? Are there groups or other support services for a diverse population of graduate students? Graduate school is hard enough without outside obstacles. Don't walk into any surprises.

Consider the geographic location.
Remember that you may be in a setting for more than a couple of years. You will work best in a comfortable environment.

Seeking Information

Talk with professors and instructors.
They know what their counterparts are doing at other campuses. You need to tap into the professional network that already exists. Most faculty members enjoy the chance to talk with their students about their plans for graduate study. Getting to know your faculty members in this way not only provides you with valuable information about graduate schools, but also helps faculty members know you better. This will give them context as they write letters of recommendation for you.

Talk with graduate students in the department you are considering.
Talk with a variety of students. It is important to avoid getting a one-sided impression of a department, either good or bad.

Talk with alumni of the school you are considering.
Are they working in their chosen field? If so, where? Have things changed much, either good or bad?

The Graduate School