Considering Graduate School
Graduate school, as the name suggests, is a school designed for those who want to continue their education after graduating from college—or in other words, after they have earned their bachelor's degree. Traditionally, graduate school was "academic" focused, meaning students who were interested in conducting research in a particular field attended graduate school. While that still holds true, now those who choose to pursue graduate school do so for many different reasons, most commonly because a graduate degree is mandatory to be employed in some particular professions. But others enroll because they seek additional training needed to advance their career goals and salary. Some, on the other hand, are just purely interested in the academic challenges that come along with graduate studies.
While it is subjective whether graduate school is more difficult than undergraduate studies, it is undeniably different. Because graduate school programs concentrate on an advanced study in a particular academic discipline or profession, graduate school has higher expectations when it comes to the quality and quantity of a student's academic work. Unlike when enrolled as an undergraduate, almost all of the coursework will be discipline-based and there will be little room for electives. It also differs greatly because the classes are exceptionally smaller (requiring students to interact more with their peers and professors); students are responsible for evaluating their peers' work (and vice versa); and it's usually mandatory to gain some sort of work experience through research, teaching or by earning an internship. Typically a final capstone project, thesis, or dissertation is required to complete a graduate program.
Graduate degrees are available in a variety of different subjects but generally are offered in three levels: Master, Specialist, and Doctorate. Master degree programs typically take about two years to complete and are either earned as a stepping-stone towards getting a doctorate or as a "terminal degree"—meaning only that particular degree was needed to get the profession you want and so your schooling ends there. Specialist degrees generally serve as an addition to a master's degree. They can come in the form of professional certificate. But usually one uses the extensive coursework earning a specialist degree to prepare them for their licensing examinations. Doctoral degrees (Ph.Ds) are the highest degrees one can earn. It usually takes anywhere from 5-7 years to complete.
To find out everything you need to know about graduate school, check out these pages:
- Is Graduate School the Best Choice for You?
- The Best Graduate School Degrees and Jobs
- The Keys to Getting Into Graduate School
- From Undergrad to Grad, or Should You Take a Break?
- A Guide to Completing your Graduate Thesis (Without Going Crazy)
- Walking the Scholar/Employee Tightrope: Balancing Academics and a Job
