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What is Grad School and Why Should You Go?

This may seem like an unnecessary question, especially if you’re already here to search for a program. Grad school looks different to different people. Maybe you’re an undergrad student who wants to jump right into grad school after graduation, or you’ve been in the workforce for a while and think grad school may advance your career. Or perhaps you’re just tired of your current career and thinking about getting a graduate degree to switch careers entirely.

When deciding whether you want to go to graduate school , it’s important to take a few things into consideration. For example, will a master’s degree advance your career and salary? If you’re in the business, health care or education fields , then the answer is probably yes. If you’re in the film industry or a music major, the answer may be no. That’s not to say anyone from any major can’t or shouldn’t get a master’s or Ph.D. degree, but it may well depend on your future goals and plans.

What factors should I consider before acquiring a graduate degree?

When making your decision, consider the following:

• Will a graduate degree provide promotion opportunities within your current career?
• Will it afford you a salary increase within your current career?
• Will your current employer contribute some or all to your advanced education? If not, can you afford a graduate degree?
• Does your current lifestyle (e.g., full-time job, family) allow you the time needed to go to graduate school and complete the assignments?
• If you want to change careers completely, will a graduate degree help in acquiring a new job in a new field?
• If you’re an undergraduate student considering going straight into graduate school, will that second degree increase your chances of getting a job when you’re finished?

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10 Good Reasons to Go to Grad School

Laura Tucker

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Table of contents

• Introduction

1. Invest in your future

2. get noticed in today’s job market, 3. get more than a qualification, 4. pursue your interests in more depth, 5. contribute to the world’s knowledge, 6. make connections, 7. increase your financial prospects, 8. get academic recognition, 9. work with the best, 10. gain an internationally recognizable qualification, get ready for grad school....

This blog post has been adapted from the QS Top Grad School Guide 2014/15. Click here to download and read the latest Top Grad School Guide.

“ Why go to graduate school? ” is a question many students ask after completing their undergraduate degree, unsure of whether grad school is really the best way to help them achieve their career goals. Both the cost in tuition fees and the extra length of time out of employment can mean that applying to graduate school is a decision not to be made lightly.

For this reason, it is essential that your overriding reasons to go to grad school are firmly founded. Below is a list of 10 of the most common reasons to go to grad school, which, depending on your field and mindset, should help you decide whether applying to graduate school is the best next step for you.

Although it’s not strictly necessary to have a firm view of your future career before applying to graduate school, it certainly helps. This is because grad school often acts as the academic version of professional training, enabling students to graduate with all the right knowledge in all the right places, ready to jump straight into their desired careers.

Either way, students applying to graduate school should do so with their eyes on the future, seeing further study as an investment in their own potential and not simply as a way to postpone the end of student life.

More people than ever are attending graduate school today, and because of this an undergraduate degree alone can sometimes fail to get you noticed alongside equally or more highly qualified candidates. With university education in contemporary society increasingly viewed as more of a rite of passage than a luxury, and 11% of the workforce (in the UK) now holding a graduate degree, bachelor degree holders are struggling to appeal to employers even at entry level in certain industries – especially when up against candidates with PhDs.

Whereas much of the worth of an undergraduate degree is in the qualification itself, the most important reasons to go to grad school may be more for the professional skills you’ll gain, the personal development you’ll undergo and the valuable connections you’ll make with fellow graduate students, academics and industry experts.

It’s frequently said that grad school is about much more than obtaining a few letters behind your name and a fancy piece of paper; it’s about developing yourself professionally so that you’re ready to enter the world of work. If you act smart in grad school, by the time you graduate you’ll have built yourself a professional landing mat of contacts and relationships, which will serve to keep you in the field and, ultimately, employed.

Although most undergraduate degrees allow students the opportunity to study modules and classes of personal interest, a graduate degree does this to a much greater extent. In order to get the most out of your graduate degree, you will be expected to conduct personal research alongside set study topics, in order to develop your thoughts and ideas regarding something that deeply interests you.

Attending extracurricular activities and meetings, hearing from guest speakers and lecturers as well as full-time faculty members you find interesting, is what makes grad school so diverse and multidisciplinary. For students with passionate academic interests then, the answer to the question “why go to graduate school?” is obvious!

If you’re someone who wants to contribute to the world within any field, professionally or academically, you’re going to have to know your subject inside-out. For STEM subjects or other highly specialized fields, grad school helps to make that happen. Kylie Rochford, a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University, explains that this was one of her main reasons to go to grad school: “Undergraduate study gave me the opportunity to understand existing knowledge in my field. Graduate school gives me the opportunity to contribute to that knowledge.”

Grad school is different to undergraduate studies in a number of ways. One difference is that while undergraduate level student life is widely associated with socializing, sleeping late and cramming alone in the library, grad school is much more about connecting with people professionally – not just fellow graduate students but faculty members too.

So while you may have locked yourself away in the darkest corner of the campus library during your years as an undergraduate, as a graduate degree student you’ll need to learn how to network like a pro by honing your ‘people skills’. If that sounds scary, remember that networking doesn’t have to be a dirty word; networking is your friend! In the professional world, networking is something many of us must do to get our feet in the door, and simply means you’ll be connecting with like-minded people within a professional context in order to collaborate, discuss and further your own knowledge, skills and professional circle.

Not only will you be making professional connections, as a graduate student you’ll be making good friendships as well. The very nature of graduate school makes finding friends who are motivated, focused and mature just that little bit easier; your grad school friends could be the ones you end up sticking to for longest.

Bettered financial prospects is a popular answer to the question “Why go to graduate school?” – though it may not necessarily be the most important factor. Even so, a graduate degree has been found to improve the financial prospects of UK workers by over UK£5,000 (US$8,200) more each year, compared to someone holding just a bachelor’s degree. Although this may not seem like a life-changing amount, the additional money accumulated in a working lifetime works out at around UK£200,000 (US$328,700). And that’s just the extra!

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Grad school provides a stable forum to research and explore theories and ideas. If during your degree you conduct any research that is particularly exceptional, the chances are you’ll be recognized for that achievement by the academic community – perhaps by being invited to present your paper at a conference, contribute to a research project, and even receive accreditation in a piece of work published in a journal. International recognition is also a prospect for those who continue their research after graduation, and one day, who knows, you may well become a prominent expert in your field.

At grad school you’ll be surrounded by leading thinkers in your field – including both the faculty members and guest experts at the front of the lecture hall, and the fellow graduate students around you. When working with people we’re inspired by and look up to, staying motivated and working hard is much, much easier.

In addition to all these talented people, you should also have access to excellent material resources, potentially including the latest technologies and high-end equipment being used within your field, such as spectral imaging scanners or nanotechnology systems.

Although last in this list of reasons to go to grad school, gaining a qualification which is recognized by employers around the world is incredibly important to many prospective graduate students. This is particularly the case for international students and students wishing to work abroad.

Ready to get started on applying to grad school? Meet representatives from leading grad schools at the QS World Grad School Tour - coming soon to a city near you! This is a chance to get personal answers to your questions, discover new options, attend free seminars on grad school admissions, and become eligible to apply for funding through the QS Scholarships scheme.

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Laura is a former staff writer for  TopUniversities.com , providing advice and guidance for students on a range of topics helping them to choose where to study , get admitted  and find funding and  scholarships . A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Laura also blogs about student life.

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5 Reasons to Go to Graduate School

Want to differentiate yourself in today’s increasingly competitive job market? Consider going to graduate school.

According to the Federal Reserve , earning an advanced degree offers a substantial payoff, with graduate degree holders earning 30 percent more than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

Interest in graduate programs has been steadily increasing over the past several years, largely due to the changing needs of employers and the desire for professionals who continually upskill themselves.

From developing new skills and growing your network to increasing your earnings, here’s a closer look at some of the reasons you should consider graduate school:

New Skill Development

By obtaining your master’s degree, you develop transferable skills that apply to various jobs, organizations, and industries, such as:

• Analytical Skills: Analytical skills consist of gathering research, analyzing data, deciphering new information, and finding unique approaches to solving complex problems
• Interpersonal Skills: This includes leadership skills, working with people of different personalities and backgrounds, accepting constructive criticism, building consensus within teams, actively listening, and working independently
• Organizational Skills: Organizational skills include project management, event planning, time management, delegating assignments, and multi-tasking
• Communication Skills: Examples include motivating teammates, being a concise writer, empathizing with others, public speaking, and non-verbal communication, such as body language, eye contact, and hand gestures

These transferable skills can help you become a versatile employee and make you more valuable to hiring managers and recruiters.

Accelerated Career Growth

A graduate degree can help you move into more senior roles, including management and leadership. Many companies not only recognize the benefits of earning your master’s degree, but even prefer their employees to have one. In fact, 38 percent of employers have raised their educational requirements .

In particular fields, earning an advanced degree can also offer important training and the best path for career advancement. For example, within education, teachers can increase their median earnings by receiving an advanced degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , here’s how average earnings break down by degree:

• Teachers with bachelor’s degrees: $47,060
• Teachers with master’s degrees: $58,460
• Education specialists (includes master’s degrees and certificates): $62,410
• Teachers with PhDs: $65,560

Specialized Knowledge

With an advanced degree, you can more easily gain specialized knowledge in your industry. As the workforce evolves, earning a master’s degree demonstrates you’re committed to gaining industry expertise and credibility.

You can do this by concentrating on a particular field of study, which helps you become more competitive within your industry. Going to graduate school can also help you build upon your current skill set or switch industries. There are numerous graduate programs you can apply to, from homeland security to graphic design .

Higher Earning Potential

You can significantly increase your income by earning an advanced degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , examples of industries that offer higher salaries for those with a master’s are:

• Information Security Analysts: $85,000 versus $100,000—an 18 percent increase
• Medical and Health Services Managers: $70,000 versus $90,000—a 29 percent increase
• Marketing and Sales Managers: $80,000 versus $110,000—a 38 percent increase
• Financial Managers: $90,000 versus $170,000—an 89 percent increase

If you’re already college educated, earning a master’s degree can add a sizable increase to your paycheck. Overall, employees with bachelor’s degrees earn $2.27 million over their career, while those with master’s degrees can earn up to $2.7 million .

A Larger Professional Network 

When you’re in graduate school, your classmates come from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries. You are connected to an extensive network of professionals—many of whom are successful in their careers . You also study from professors with relevant industry expertise, combining real-world knowledge with valuable networks. The more people you’re connected to, the more opportunities you have to meet other talented professionals, discover new job openings, and advance in your career.

Think you don’t have the time? Don’t worry, many universities, like Northeastern, offer the option to earn your master’s degree full- or part-time, in class or online—allowing you to create a schedule that works around your needs, no matter how busy you are.

Are you interested in applying to graduate school? Explore Northeastern’s more than 200 graduate programs and learn more about how to apply .  

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Advanced degree holders earn a salary an average 25% higher than bachelor's degree holders. (Economic Policy Institute, 2021)

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USC President Carol Folt takes a photograph with the Yip family during the Graduate School centennial celebration on April 4, 2024. (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Why graduate education is vital to our nation

For 100 years, the USC Graduate School has developed advanced educational programs to service the nation’s growing legal, political, commercial and creative infrastructure.

Graduate studies had their formal beginnings at the USC in 1910, but it wasn’t until 1923 that the university formed the  Graduate School ’s official constitution.

More than 100 years later, on April 4, USC President Carol Folt spoke at a celebration of the Graduate School and talked about why graduate education is vital to the nation and the world.

“When I think about graduate school, I can’t help but think about the fundamental value of graduate education,” Folt said at the afternoon event held at the Graduate School’s offices in the Gwynn Wilson Student Union building. Moreover, she said, “Our competitiveness as a nation hinges on it, our humanity hinges on it, the arts hinge on it, the way we speak to the future hinges on it.” She said her own graduate education was fundamental to her career and that she still celebrates Thanksgiving every year with her friends from grad school.

Folt praised the staff and faculty who work with graduate students in the Graduate School because they are “doing everything to build community within what is our most disparate population from 491 programs.”

Andrew Stott, dean of the Graduate School, unveiled a mural on the walls of the offices that celebrates the milestones of the city of Los Angeles and the USC Graduate School. “Our story is the story of our city, as USC developed advanced educational programs to service the burgeoning legal, political, commercial and creative infrastructure of the growing metropolis,” he said.

Stott also presented alumna Joycelyn Yip with the Graduate School Centennial Award for outstanding alumni. Yip was a member of the Trojan Marching Band and a former president of USC’s Graduate Student Government from 2016 to 2020, among many other activities. She received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from USC.

As USC recalls the last 100 years of graduate education, Stott said, “Graduate education itself is always looking forward, ever optimistic that there are new breakthroughs around the corner, new discoveries to be found, and new ways of expressing the human condition.”

100 Years of the USC Graduate School and Beyond

USC is founded with 53 students and 10 teachers.

Future USC president George F. Bovard receives a Master of Arts degree and becomes the first graduate alumnus of USC.

The Graduate Council is established.

Vada Somerville graduates with a Doctor of Dental Surgery, becoming the first Black woman to be licensed to practice dentistry in California. She later co-founded the Los Angeles County Human Relations Committee and established the Pilgrim House Community Center, designed to assist Black families who migrated to Los Angeles during World War II.

The Graduate School is founded and Rockwell Dennis Hunt is named the first dean. Trojans form the Associated Students of the Graduate School to increase the spirit and solidarity among graduate students.

USC confers its first PhD to David Welty Lefever in the School of Education. Lefever’s dissertation explored “The Prognostic Values of Certain Groupings of the Test Elements of the Thorndike Intelligence Examination for High School Graduates.”

The Graduate School celebrates its 25th anniversary  with a conference titled “The Social Application of Academic Scholarship” that highlighted the importance of graduate research as a public good.

Emory S. Bogardus (1882-1973) is named dean of the Graduate School. Bogardus joined the faculty of USC as a professor of sociology in 1915. He developed a sociological principle, the Bogardus Social Distance Scale, that is still used today to empirically measure people’s willingness to participate in social contacts with members of diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Joseph Medicine Crow earns a master’s in anthropology while on scholarship, becoming the first member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) to earn a graduate degree. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was appointed a tribal historian for the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation for more than 50 years, publishing seminal and influential works about Native American history and culture. He received an honorary doctorate in 2003; in 2022, the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs was named in his honor.

Corita Kent receives a master’s degree in art history. Born Frances Elizabeth Kent and known as Sister Mary Corita Kent, she was an American artist, educator and former religious sister. In the 1960s, her vibrant serigraphs drew international acclaim and reflected her concerns about poverty, racism and war. Kent’s spiritually informed social commentary promoted love and tolerance.

The National Science Foundation launches the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which celebrates and supports exceptional graduate students in STEM fields. Approximately 70 NSF fellows are enrolled at USC annually. Brian Leung PhD ’18, who received the fellowship in 2014, now works for the NSF. While at USC, Leung received funding to travel to Washington, D.C., to talk about his research with a congressman who had doubts about the impacts of air pollution. He explained the connection between pollution and Alzheimer’s disease, a link that researchers at USC had explored. He said, “I believe, in that moment, the congressman grasped the power of science and when the time came to cast his vote, he stood with science, not against it.”

The Rockwell Dennis Hunt Scholastic Award is established, honoring current graduate students who received their undergraduate degree from USC. Forty-seven students have received the award to date, including Joycelyn Yip ’15, MS ’17, PhD ’20. Yip, who served as president of USC’s Graduate Student Government, said the “Beyond the PhD Conference” event, hosted by the Graduate School and the Career Center, influenced her professional trajectory. It “highlighted the strength of the Trojan Family, and it has been a real honor to be part of it as an alum.”

The Dr. Rodolfo Montes Memorial Scholarship is established to recognize USC graduate students who have an outstanding academic record, and a history of involvement in the local Hispanic community. To date, more than 500 students have received support.

A fellowship is created in honor of Theodore Hsi-En Chen (1902-1991) and his wife Wen-Hui Chen (1903 – 2010). Originally from Fuzhou, China, Theodore and Wen-Hui both earned PhDs from USC. After graduating, Theodore Chen became USC’s first professor of Chinese descent in 1939.

Dean Barbara Solomon calls interdisciplinary graduate degrees the “wave of the future.” She lists the study of the environment, multiculturalism, communications and international relations as particularly important for facilitating discussions across disciplines.

For the first time, the number of enrolled graduate students (17,024) at USC exceeds the number of undergraduates (16,384).

USC signs a Memorandum of Agreement with the Ministry of Education in Taiwan launching the USC Global Fellows program.

USC Graduate Student Government holds the first International Student Appreciation Week, which aims to emphasize the presence of international students in the graduate community.

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If you’re nearing the end of college or you’ve completed college, you’ve probably heard the term “graduate school” thrown around by your peers and teachers. In fact, you’ve probably heard all kinds of graduate-school related terms, like “graduate degree,” “Masters,” “PhD,” and more.

But what is a graduate degree? What is a PhD? What is a doctoral degree? What’s a doctorate? We’ll demystify it all here. (Hint: those last three are all the same thing.)

In this article, we’ll discuss what graduate school is, what graduate degrees you can get, and the difference between graduate and professional school. Then we’ll move on to discussing the benefits and drawbacks of graduate school, funding graduate programs, and how to apply to grad school.

What Is Graduate School?

What is grad school? Well, it’s not so much a specific “school” as a catchall term for some types of academic programs.  Graduate degree programs offer advanced training (beyond a bachelor’s degree) in a specific academic discipline. They very much focus on advancing your subject-specific academic knowledge as opposed to preparing you for a specific career or job. Graduate degree programs often include opportunities to complete original research in the field.

There are a few different types of graduate degrees. We’ll review them in the next section.

What Is a Graduate Degree? The 3 Main Types

There are, generally speaking, three kinds of graduate degrees offered by graduate schools: the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MA and MS offer additional schooling in a discipline beyond a bachelor’s degree. A PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic field. (Note that this is not true of professional fields—we will discuss the difference in the next section.)

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Master of Arts (MA)

What is a Master’s Degree? The Master of Arts is the typical Master’s graduate program for humanities and social science disciplines. They can be fairly general—for example, an MA in Communication or Anthropology, or even Humanities. They can also be highly specialized, like an MA in Folklore or an MA in History of the Book (a real degree!).

Some MA degrees lead specifically to a PhD, while others stand on their own. There are graduate programs designed for those with no prior academic exposure to a field, while others provide further training to those who studied the discipline (or a closely related one) as undergraduates. Some offer original research opportunities, while others focus more on instruction.

Depending on the specific discipline and program, an MA degree generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. Select fields or disciplines may offer a 3-year Master of Arts.

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science is the typical Master’s graduate program for scientific and quantitative disciplines. Like the MA, the MS can be fairly general in its focus, like an MS in Biology or Computer Science. They can also be incredibly specialized, like an MS in Predictive Analytics or Agricultural Economics.

Also like the MA, some are designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in the discipline. Others are designed for those trying to get exposure to a new field. Some more closely focus on the student completing original research, while others focus more on delivering in-depth instruction.

An MS degree also generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. In some select fields/programs, it may take 3 years.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What is a PhD? PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic discipline. It’s also known as a doctorate or a doctoral degree.

As the most advanced degree in an academic field, it’s considered a terminal degree. The Doctor of Philosophy prepares students to do academic work in their discipline —research and teaching—and for positions at universities and research institutions.

PhD programs generally expect students to have some preexisting academic training in the discipline or a related field, usually from the student’s undergraduate degree. Most PhDs will not expect incoming students to have Master’s degrees, although some might. However, students with an MA or MS in the discipline might be able to complete the PhD more quickly because they may not need to complete as much coursework.

Furthermore, most PhD programs do expect applicants to have some form of previous research experience and preferably some academic publishing credits. They may not require the student to have the experience and publishing credits in the same discipline as the PhD, but almost all PhD programs will expect some amount of previous research and academic publication experience.

The structure of a PhD typically involves some amount of preliminary coursework, followed by a written and oral exam in the discipline. Then students will begin research and work on their PhD dissertation, an original research project. Throughout this time, students generally teach and/or work as research assistants to make money.

How many years is a doctorate degree? A PhD can take anywhere from three years (if you have a master’s degree and write extremely fast!) to eight years (if you have a lot of coursework to complete and a particularly obscure dissertation topic). But the time it usually takes to complete a PhD is in the 4-6 year range.

Graduate vs. Professional School

You may notice a huge number of degrees you could pursue after your undergraduate degree missing from the list of degrees above—like the MD, the MBA, the MPH, the MFA, the JD, the MEd, and many others.

This is because those degrees are professional degrees.

So what’s the difference between a graduate degree and a professional degree? A graduate degree provides advanced training in an academic discipline. A professional degree provides advanced training for a specific profession. For example, a JD trains you to become a lawyer. An MD trains you to become a doctor. So while a graduate degree focuses on an academic discipline or area of inquiry, a professional degree focuses on professional training.

We should be clear that these are not hard-and-fast distinctions. The line between what is a graduate program and what is a professional program is not always crystal-clear. Many institutions will refer to some (or all) of their advanced degrees as graduate degrees, without distinguishing between graduate and professional schools.

Additionally, professional degrees can lead to academia, and graduate degrees can lead to professional careers. For example, an MFA can prepare students both for academic teaching and inquiry and for professional careers as artists. While an MPH trains you to work as a public health professional, many MPHs go on to work for research institutions or receive PhDs and go into academia. Many professional schools offer MS or MA degrees (for example, a business school may offer an MS in Business Informatics). Additionally, some graduate schools offer MA or MS degrees that primarily focus on building professional skills and contacts.

Gray areas aside, the general distinction is that professional degrees focus on building career and professional skills, while graduate degrees focus on building your knowledge in a particular discipline and your skill in academic inquiry.

5 Top Benefits of Graduate School

Now that we’ve answered the question, “what is graduate school,” you may find yourself wondering: Is grad school worth it? Should I go to graduate school?

Here are five potential benefits to graduate school:

Preparation to Work in Academia

A major reason to go to graduate school—particularly to earn a PhD—is to position yourself to work in academia. If you want to be a professor at a university, you will need a PhD. For lecturer or researcher positions at small or community colleges, an MA or MS may be sufficient.

But in general, if you want to teach at a college level and work on research in a given discipline, a graduate degree of some kind is pretty much necessary.

Higher Earning Potential and Expanded Job Prospects (Sometimes)

A graduate degree will often increase your earning potential. More relevant training typically means more pay in that field. You’ll also be eligible for more jobs, like more senior research positions.

However, you shouldn’t assume that a graduate degree will always expand your job prospects and increase your pay. An MA in Middle English may not really lead to much of anything except increased debt, simply because there’s just not a high demand for people with MAs in Middle English. So, that training isn’t likely to be considered valuable enough for you to earn more or be a more attractive job applicant.

Be sure to do some research into the discipline you are interested in so that you have a realistic idea of how it will expand your job prospects and pay, if at all.

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Pivoting Your Skills

Say your undergraduate degree was in English Literature, but now you want to be a sociologist. Getting a master’s degree is a great way to get training in a new discipline you haven’t had much exposure to. Armed with your shiny new master’s degree and associated skills, you’ll be able to work in a field that was previously closed to you.

Get Published

If you need to develop research skills and publish some academic papers, getting an MA or MS can be a good move. This is particularly true if you want to pursue a PhD and need to beef up   your research experience and publication credits. Getting a master’s in a discipline related to your prospective PhD can be a huge help here. It will also help you build contacts to serve as recommendations.

Strengthen an Application to Professional School

In a similar vein, you may want to get an MA or MS to strengthen an application to professional school. Any research and publication credits you amass there, as well as a strong GPA or good recommendations, will help you stand out.

For example, maybe your heart is set on being a doctor but your undergraduate grades aren’t quite at the level you’d like, or you simply want to stand out more. Really excelling in an MS program can boost your application.

2 Potential Drawbacks to Graduate School

We’ve listed the benefits—but don’t put in your application yet. There are also some potential drawbacks to graduate school to consider. We’ll list two of the most major drawbacks here.

Considerable Expenses

Graduate degrees are expensive! Tuition and fees can easily run past $20,000 a semester at a private university, not to mention living expenses. You may have to take out pretty massive loans to cover all of this, so it’s important that you carefully consider how graduate school will increase your earning potential or job prospects. In more esoteric fields, the expense may not ever pay off in realized earnings. This shouldn’t necessarily dissuade you from pursuing a graduate degree but it is something to be aware of.

However, some programs will cover all or most of your tuition. You’ll also most likely be able to work part-time while completing graduate work, which will help offset expenses. For most PhD candidates, and some masters students, part-time work as teaching staff or research assistants is built into the program.

If you’re completing a part-time master’s degree, you can also maintain a full-time job while you complete the coursework.

Finally, keep in mind that the expense of tuition isn’t the only cost—while you’re in graduate school, you could be making a full salary employed in the workforce. In some cases, your PhD might lead to a higher salary, but it’ll take multiple years for you to recover the full salaries that you lost out on while you were in school.

Poor Job Prospects

There are some graduate disciplines that simply don’t lead to many job opportunities. For example, there are far more philosophy PhD graduates than tenure-track positions in university philosophy departments. In fact, academia in general is hyper-competitive, so unless you are attending a top program, getting an academic job at the end may be almost ludicrously difficult.

Especially if you are paying for the graduate degree yourself, if there isn’t much in the way of job offers at the end, the degree may be a poor investment. This is something to research before committing to the course.

Funding: How to Pay for Graduate School

Finding graduate school funding can be difficult. There are, in general, a lot more people who want to go to school than there is money available to fund them. Funding in the forms of grants, fellowships, and scholarships for master’s programs in particular tends to be incredibly competitive. There are few fellowships and scholarships available at this level, though there is more funding available for students in high-demand STEM fields like engineering and computer science.

On the flip side, it’s more likely that you’ll receive partial or full funding for PhD work. But PhD programs are far, far more competitive for admission than master’s programs.

Sometimes you can be admitted to a PhD program without any funding. (This is called a self-funded PhD.) This is not likely to pay off in the long run unless you have some fairly sizable independent income or savings, as you will almost certainly rack up debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The return-on-investment in this case may not be very high, especially given how competitive it is to get a tenure-track position.

Funding for a given program is likely to be some combination of loans, grants and fellowships, and research or teaching positions. Even if you are a fully funded PhD student, you won’t receive a whole lot of money—generally just enough to cover expenses.

In general, people don’t go to graduate school to make the big bucks, but because they have a very intense passion for the discipline.

Applying to Graduate School: How to Get Into Grad School

If you’ve decided to apply to graduate school, what do you need to be a successful candidate? This will of course vary from program to program, but you’ll need a few general qualifications.

Good GRE Score

You’ll need a GRE score that’s reasonably competitive for the programs you’re interested in. (See more on what’s a good GRE score here ). This will usually involve a high score in the more relevant section of the GRE. So for a math or science graduate degree, you’ll need a high Quant score. For a humanities or social sciences degree, you’ll need a high Verbal score.

Relevant Experience and/or Publication Credits

You’ll need to have the requisite relevant experience for admission. For master’s programs, this can take the shape of some kind of work experience, undergraduate experience, research experience, and/or publication credits. However, for PhD programs, you’ll almost certainly need research experience and academic publication credits to be a competitive applicant. The experience and publications won’t necessarily have to be directly within the discipline you are applying in, but you will need them to show that you have academic chops.

Strong Undergraduate Record

A strong undergraduate record makes for a stronger application. Barring that, solid work or research experience and/or strong grades in another master’s or professional degree can also help you get admitted to the program(s) of your choice.

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Good Recommendations

Highly positive recommendations, especially from notable people within the field, can provide a real boost to your application. You want recommenders who can speak to your interest in the field as well as your suitability for academic work. If you’re an undergraduate at the time of application, professors you’ve worked with are the best option. If you’re a recent graduate, a combination of professional and academic recommendations will probably best capture your skills. And if you have been out of school for some time, your recommendations may be primarily professional, which is fine.

Clear Articulation of Your Interests and Goals

It’s also important that your application clearly communicates why you’re interested in further training in the discipline and what you plan to do with that training. If you can articulate a real passion for the field and clear goals, and you can connect those things to elements of the specific program you are applying to, your application will be much stronger.

Summary: What Is Graduate School?

“Graduate school” is a catchall term for academic programs that provide training in a specific academic discipline or field beyond the undergraduate level.

There are three primary kinds of graduate degrees:

• Master of arts degrees typically provide further training in the humanities and social sciences.
• Master of science degrees usually provide further training in the sciences and quantitative fields.
• PhDs, or doctorates in philosophy, provide the most advanced training available in a given academic discipline. PhDs prepare you to work in academia.

Graduate school is different from professional school. Professional school describes academic programs beyond an undergraduate degree that train you to work in a specific professional field. For example, lawyers get JDs, and doctors get MDs. There are some gray areas between graduate and professional school, but the general distinction is that graduate school furthers your knowledge of an academic field and professional school trains you for a specific career or class of careers.

Here are some of the main benefits of graduate school:

• Graduate degrees are necessary for work in academia.
• Some fields may give you higher earning potential and expanded job prospects.
• You can gain skills in a new area or discipline than your undergraduate degree.
• Graduate school can help you get research experience and publication credits.
• A graduate degree can help you strengthen your application to professional school.

Here are some of the main drawbacks to graduate school:

• Graduate school is expensive!
• Some graduate degrees won’t give you expanded job prospects or a better salary, making them a poor investment.

It can be difficult to get funding for graduate school. You are more likely to get funding for a PhD than a master’s degree, but PhDs are also more competitive. Overall, most people don’t go to graduate school specifically because they are looking for a very lucrative career.

 If you want to go to graduate school, here’s how to make yourself a strong applicant:

• Get a good GRE score
• Have relevant experience and/or publication credits
• Have a strong undergraduate record
• Secure glowing recommendations
• Clearly articulate your interests and goals in the discipline

That’s our overview of graduate school, folks!

What’s Next?

What GRE score do you need for graduate school? Check out our expert analysis of average GRE scores by school and average GRE scores by major . Or maybe you don’t need to take the GRE to get into grad school at all!

If you are taking the GRE, you want to maximize your chances of success. So consider when to take the GRE  and how to make a GRE study plan .

Think you may need to retake the GRE ? Here’s a surefire way improve your GRE scores .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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9 Unique Reasons to Pursue a Master’s Degree

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree is an accomplishment worthy of celebrating. It’s a milestone that many believe officially launches you into adulthood—ready to take on the career world. But what if by finishing your undergraduate studies you’ve merely scratched the surface of your education? Going back to school to participate in graduate school provides you with the hands-on learning experience and the opportunity to enter the job market with full confidence and a competitive edge. We’ve compiled nine ideas for you to consider if you’re on the fence about pursuing a master’s degree.

1. Become an Expert:

Earning your master’s gives you a more in-depth understanding of your specialty and career focus. It suggests expertise and credibility in a particular field and allows you more freedom within that field. This specific knowledge increases your proficiency in a particular discipline, which gives you an advantage at a time when many employers are raising their educational requirements for emerging positions.  

2. Get a Head Start in Your Career:

Some people who earn their master’s experience the leapfrog effect. Instead of starting out in an entry position in their field, they “leap” over the introductory jobs into higher places of management.  Approximately 16 million people —only 8% of the US population have a master’s degree– which can lead to a competitive advantage in a sea of candidates.

3. More Money=More Freedom:

A master’s degree is an investment in your financial future. An employee who has earned a master’s degree typically earns over $10,000 more per year than one who graduated with a bachelor’s. The additional hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your career could mean more savings, living more comfortably, planning dream vacations, or security in case of an emergency.  

Earning a master’s degree can also open pathways into additional employment opportunities in higher education. With a master’s, you can qualify to teach in your field of expertise at a college or university either full or part-time. Part-time teaching is an excellent source of supplemental income and can keep your knowledge current in the field you’ve studied.

4. Get First-Hand Experience:

Graduate school immerses you further into your specific industry. Without the need to fulfill general education requirements, you can focus solely on your field of study. With the opportunity to try several areas of your specialty in a short amount of time, you may gain a greater understanding of how to narrow down the path you want to pursue.

While working toward your master’s degree you are not necessarily removing yourself from the workforce. Many companies will reimburse their employees to continue their education. In addition, many colleges and universities will support your pursuit of a master’s degree through teaching or research assistantships. You will get the opportunity to apply theory to practice while simultaneously getting your education through apprenticeships, internships, and projects. 

5. Become a Lifelong Learner:

Many students work toward a bachelor’s degree just to fill a minimum requirement for their career field. Choosing to further your education and pursue a master’s degree allows you to make more valuable connections, pursue necessary professional skills and foster personal development. After you’ve gained a sense of how you best learn and developed a love for it as an undergraduate, you now have the opportunity to further your development with the scientific and technological innovations that affect us every day. Making the voluntary commitment to participate in the movement of lifelong learning will enhance not only your personal and professional development but also your self-sustainability and employability.  

6. Secure Protection During a Career Change:

Although there’s no definitive source, labor experts generally estimate that the average adult changes jobs around a dozen times and careers three to seven times in their lifetime. With that in mind, we can assume a career change is a matter of when and not if. But some careers can be hard to parachute into without a lot of experience. Holding a master’s can provide security in your area of expertise, but it can also serve as an assurance that you are a serious candidate with a high degree of professionalism when you decide to make a career shift down the road. If you decide to move into an area in which you are unfamiliar, having a master’s degree can compensate for the experience you may lack.

7. Open the Door to Relocation:

Pursuing a master’s degree often gives you the opportunity to relocate and study in a new environment. It’s possible to attend out-of-state or private institutions at significantly reduced costs if graduate assistantships or graduate research assistantships are an option for the program.

“Almost all of the programs I looked into for my masters in higher education leadership had graduate assistantships as a component of the program, which gave students at least in-state tuition. This helped me expand my search across the country.” A wider scope of possible programs to choose from in a variety of places means a larger number of career opportunities down the road!

8. Fulfill Necessary Requirements:  

There are several fields—and more specific companies—in which a master’s degree is required either for entry or to move to upper-level management. Earning your graduate degree provides you with security in your qualifications as you move into the career field. By 2022, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of jobs that require a master’s degree at the minimum will increase by 18.4% from where it was in 2012. By getting ahead of this trend, you can feel secure as you navigate the increasingly competitive market.

Jordyn recalls, “I decided to get my masters because most people in my field of interest (higher education) who had associate director roles or higher, had a master’s degree in education or counseling.”

9. A Sense of Personal Accomplishment:

Although your individual identity consists of far more than your education level or career, a master’s degree is certainly an achievement of which you should be proud of. When you earn a graduate degree, you have also earned additional value and credibility that invites a high level of respect. 

Receiving your master’s will not only give you a greater sense of confidence in your academic prowess, but also in your ability to complete what you’ve started and to move into positions of leadership. 

Now that you’re aware of the advantages and benefits of going back to school to receive a master’s degree, make sure to follow up with the  5 Steps to Take When You’re Thinking About Going to Grad School for tips on determining the right timeline for pursuing a graduate degree and help with strategizing about possible program choices.

More About Abound: We’re here to help. Abound: Grad School narrows down your options and gets you in touch with schools that we can confirm are Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated, and Advanced . Take a look at the schools we trust and find the program that works for you.

More Helpful Guides:

7 Tips to Help You Balance School and Work

9 Reasons to Go Back to School for Your Master’s Degree

Resources for Working Parents Going Back to School

5 Steps to Take When You’re Thinking About Going to Grad School

Jordyn researches adult degree programs and best practices in higher education, along with supporting Abound schools. Previously an academic advisor, she loves learning about what colleges are doing to become better places to learn and meet the needs of all kinds of students. Jordyn earned her undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and Business at UNC-Chapel Hill and initially moved to Austin to pursue her Master’s in Education at UT-Austin. Most weekends, you can find Jordyn running around Town Lake or reading at a coffee shop.

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Principles and Characteristics of Graduate Education

Graduate education.

Graduate education distinguishes itself by advanced systematic study and experience in depth—a depth in understanding, knowledge, scholarly competence, inquiry, and discovery.  Graduates are equipped to contribute to their disciplines, to teach and transmit knowledge within their disciplines, to conduct research and produce creative works, to apply their learning in the everyday world, and ultimately to extend service to their disciplines and to humanity.  

Although diversity in focus, methodology, and implementation is expected across the spectrum of graduate programs at BYU, strong programs are characterized by selective admission of highly qualified students, graduate faculty committed to excellence, and rigorous programs of study conducted in a context of faith.  A few fundamental principles characterize all strong graduate programs.  These principles emerge from and complement the Mission and Aims of a BYU Education .  These principles are listed below followed by some characteristics that are required to realize these principles.

Principles of Graduate Education

Mastery of the subject matter.   Graduate education facilitates mastery over the content and skills of the discipline at a level appropriate to the degree sought.

Critical thinking.  Graduate education develops and refines critical thinking skills including a thorough knowledge of the assumptions of the discipline and an understanding of viable alternative assumptions.

Theoretical understanding.  Graduate education provides an understanding of the theoretical bases of the field of study.  It grounds application and performance in theory.

Proficiency in research and/or creative activities.   Graduate education develops proficiencies that advance the knowledge and activities of the discipline.  These proficiencies include good writing skills as well as the ability to present original insights and creative expressions.

Spiritual discernment and moral integrity.   Graduate education facilitates the growth of integrity and wisdom and the integration of faith into the pursuit of knowledge within the discipline.

Service orientation.  Graduate education instills responsibility to return the special benefits of graduate training to the larger community.

Wide representation of perspectives.  Graduate education presents an intellectually and culturally rich encounter with the discipline.  Study and inquiry are conducted in a context sensitive to ethnic and cultural diversity. 

Characteristics of Strong Graduate Programs

I.         Clear Definition of Purpose

• Only graduate degrees essential to the department’s mission and important to the larger mission of the university are offered by the department.
• The department has determined and clearly stated the aims for the future of its graduate program(s).   It has a plan for constant improvement and is pursuing it vigorously.
• The department has determined and clearly stated the focus and purpose of its graduate program(s).   It does not necessarily attempt to offer degrees or emphases in all areas of its discipline.   Students admitted pursue coursework, research, and degrees only in areas in which faculty are producing and publishing scholarly work and are well qualified to teach and direct research.
• The department regularly evaluates its graduate programs, faculty, facilities, and library holdings, identifying weak areas that need strengthening and determining if any programs or emphases should be dropped or added.
• The department does not see a graduate degree as simply an accumulation of credits.   Faculty members understand that graduate work at a university is inherently involved in the discovery of new knowledge, and they seek to understand and propound the theoretical principles that lie behind what can be observed and tested.  
• Graduate education extends beyond the acquisition of practical skills and endeavors to encompass the practical within the theoretical.   The department makes a concerted effort to educate graduate students to extend their understanding using both tools and theory.

II.        Qualified Graduate Faculty

Effective mentoring

• The department and college apply appropriate criteria for identifying graduate faculty.   There are sufficient numbers of well-prepared, full-time graduate faculty members in the department’s areas of specialty to support strong graduate work in those areas.   All department faculty members support the graduate programs of the department.
• Department faculty members keep current in their fields and continually update course content and teaching methods to engage students and immerse them in the discipline.
• Faculty members strengthen students spiritually by integrating spirituality into formal teaching, by teaching the ethics of the discipline, and by exemplifying integrity and devotion.

Scholarly productivity

• Graduate faculty members are active scholars or artist-scholars who do significant research and regularly publish in national or international refereed journals and presses, or who present or perform their artistic work for wide and authoritative critical review.   Their books, articles, papers, and creative work make significant contributions to their disciplines.
• Faculty members are involved in scholarly and creative activities in their discipline, participate in regional, national and international conferences, and work with colleagues at other universities and centers of learning.
• In disciplines where the norms of scholarship require external funding, faculty members actively seek funding to support their research programs and to enhance graduate student involvement in research or creative work.
• Faculty members use professional development leaves to extend their knowledge in their disciplines and to invigorate their research.

Dedication to service and citizenship

• Faculty members strive to assure that all activities support the mission of the university, build the Kingdom of God, and bless students, colleagues, and humanity.
• Faculty members contribute to the intellectual climate of the department and the university through service, including conscientious attention to committee assignments and collaboration in research, scholarship, or creative endeavors with colleagues and students.
• Faculty members contribute to the professional community through service such as conference organization and participation and editorship of journals and other forums.   Competing activities, such as paid consultation work, are kept to a minimum, and are engaged in only when such activities advance knowledge and skills in the discipline, strengthen research, and enhance the influence and respect of the university.

III.     High Academic Standards

Well-established admissions standards and practices

• The department has an active recruitment program to attract excellent students from undergraduate and graduate programs at other universities.   It does not rely solely on an applicant pool of its own undergraduates.  
• The department has clearly stated and effectively communicated admissions standards.   These standards are reviewed regularly and revised as needed.   The department sets high expectations and employs several criteria such as the undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, and professional experience in making admissions decisions.   It admits provisionally only if an applicant shows exceptional promise.
• The department admits students only when all or virtually all prerequisite requirements have been met.
• The department is consistent in applying its admission standards, and it is timely in making admissions decisions.   These decisions are made by a faculty admissions committee or by the faculty as a whole.   All graduate faculty members have some input in admissions decisions.
• The department attracts sufficient numbers of qualified applicants to offer fullfledged graduate programs with adequate course offerings and to provide a stimulating graduate culture for students.   Nevertheless, the department admits only as many students as it can effectively guide through a rigorous, carefully advised program.   It considers student-faculty ratios, especially in light of specialties that applicants wish to pursue.

Strong curriculum and rigorous course work

• The curriculum is well designed, relatively stable, and leads to strong preparation of students.   The department offers enough courses to support a full graduate program, and it lists no courses that are “on the books” but rarely taught.   The curriculum is appropriate for the preparation and specialties of the faculty and reflects leadership in the discipline.
• The classroom experience is qualitatively different from that in the undergraduate program.   The department does not double list courses by undergraduate and graduate numbers (such as 400 and 600) and avoids all practices that dilute the classroom experience for graduate students.   When advanced undergraduates register for 500-level courses, they do so with the understanding that the course is taught at a graduate level and that the expectations for them are the same as for graduate students.
• Credits earned through directed readings, independent or off-campus projects, or employment-related projects are kept to a minimum, and where such courses are approved by the department, they are as rigorous and demanding as regular courses.   In such courses, the teacher and student formulate an agreement of requirements and expectations and file that “contract” with the department office. The student receives credit only when the agreement has been fulfilled.
• Courses require extensive writing assignments of substance and consequence that train students to think critically.   Student papers adhere to high standards of composition, and they are carefully criticized and assessed, sometimes by both teacher and other students.
• All courses, even those considered to be applied courses, have a strong theoretical foundation based on current research.   They require investigation beyond classroom experiences and textbooks.   Where possible, they include demanding essay examinations.
• Every graduate course provides a course outline and syllabus in which the teacher’s expectations are clearly stated and the course description is comprehensive and clear.
• Graduate students have opportunities for learning outside the major department.
• The department enriches its graduate curriculum with presentations by visiting lecturers, with colloquia, and with other opportunities for learning outside the regular curriculum.
• Course grades accurately reflect student achievement and are not inflated.

Excellence in dissertations, theses, and projects

• The department offers a strong course in research methodology specific to the discipline.
• The department requires a culminating writing experience of its graduate students, regardless of whether the student is in a traditional or an applied program.   The final paper is usually a research-based dissertation or thesis, but may be a project or report in a master’s program.   All doctoral students prepare formal dissertations.
• Dissertations and theses are on topics of real consequence, and their content makes substantial contributions to some aspect of the discipline.   The contributions of projects are held to standards comparable to those of   dissertations and theses. By their excellence and uniqueness, these research and writing experiences impressively demonstrate the achievements, knowledge, and skills of the students at the time the graduate degree is completed.
• The prospectus is treated as a critical aspect of the student’s research.   It is prepared before intensive research begins and is subjected to broad department review.
• The research design, the preparation of the prospectus, the research itself, and the preparation of the dissertation, thesis, or project are carefully directed by the student’s advisory committee.   Problems in research design or methodology are discovered and corrected at the prospectus stage.
• The dissertation, thesis, or project engages a topic that the faculty adviser is well prepared to direct.
• The dissertation, thesis, or project is well written and   leads to a publishable piece of work.   Students are encouraged to publish their work and are assisted in the effort to find a publisher.   Where appropriate, faculty members and students publish collaboratively.

Well-developed procedures for preparing and conducting comprehensive and oral examinations

• Department comprehensive and oral examinations are demanding and fair.   They require currency in the field, thorough analysis of the questions or problems posed, and synthesis of knowledge in the discipline, all at a level appropriate for the degree to be awarded.   They also require grace and skill in expression.
• The examination questions are carefully conceived and well-written.    Test questions demand a grasp of essentials and the ability to analyze and synthesize.
• The department provides published and well-publicized criteria as to what constitutes acceptable performance on department oral and comprehensive examinations.   The purpose, format, range of content, and nature of examinations are described, and sample questions from past examinations are available for study.
• The department applies consistent and rigorous standards in the evaluation of examinations.   There is a mechanism for providing feedback and a clear policy on the retaking of failed comprehensive examinations.

IV.     Well-defined, Clearly Articulated, and Helpful Procedures

Broadly based college and department governance

• Graduate faculty members participate in all departmental decisions that affect the department’s academic programs, the quality of the degrees offered, and the professional lives of the faculty.
• All faculty members of appropriate status and rank have input in hiring, continuing status, and advancement in rank decisions in the department.   The department conducts a national search for new faculty members and makes hiring, continuing status, and promotion decisions according to a set of established, well-publicized criteria and procedures which are at least as rigorous as university guidelines and expectations.
• New faculty members are mentored in their preparation for continuing status review or advancement in rank nomination.
• Through peer-elected representatives, graduate students have a voice in departmental decisions that affect graduate programs.
• The goals of graduate programs are not based solely on expectations of external accrediting agencies.   Rather, they exceed the quality required by such agencies and thus maintain independence.
• Department programs are created, defined, and influenced by genuine, significant developments within the discipline consistent with available resources rather than by perceived market demands and short-lived trends.
• The department has a written assessment plan and uses it routinely to improve graduate programs.

Effective advisement of students

• Faculty members are conscientious in their advisement of students.   They keep regularly scheduled office hours and have frequent scholarly interaction with students.   They return thesis drafts and other materials promptly so that students experience no unnecessary delays in completion of their programs.
• The department recognizes that a student’s first responsibility is to his or her own academic program.   Care is taken to ensure that other duties, such as teaching undergraduate courses, enhance the graduate education experience and do not impede student’s progress toward a degree.   The number of courses a graduate student teaches is strictly limited.
• The department has a published set (a student handbook) of current policies, requirements, expectations, and procedures that describes with clarity and in detail what graduate students need to know to enter a program and successfully complete a degree in the department.
• University and department deadlines are well publicized.
• The department has formal orientation procedures or seminars to acquaint new students with the expectations and requirements of graduate study in the department and the university.
• Each student is well informed from the beginning, having been assigned a sponsor who assists in the selection of a permanent adviser.   That selection is made by the end of the first semester.
• The department conducts at least annual evaluations, at clearly designated times, of each student’s progress and informs the student of his or her status.   If marginal or unsatisfactory progress is noted, the department   informs the student of action required   to demonstrate satisfactory progress.
• The department has determined an optimum time length for program completion and moves its students through on schedule.
• A high percentage of the students on the department’s rolls are actually on campus pursuing degrees at any given time.
• The department graduates a high percentage of the students it admits.
• The department provides published information about financial aid opportunities for students in its programs.
• Students who have teaching assignments are well trained to perform those assignments ably.
• The department assists graduate students in finding employment or advanced educational opportunities suitable to their preparation and experience after they leave the department.

  Appropriate faculty assignments

• Faculty members who are teaching and advising in the graduate program are given ample opportunity for scholarly work and professional development.
• The department sets reasonable limits on the number of graduate advisees assigned to any one faculty member.  
• Faculty assignments in the graduate program are not performed on an “overload” basis.
• Faculty members who are teaching and advising in the graduate program are teaching neither in night school nor in off-campus programs on an “overload” basis.

Responsible class scheduling

• The department publishes and distributes to graduate students a multi-year schedule of course offerings, enabling students to plan their study.
• Graduate course offerings are sequenced appropriately and offered with sufficient frequency to prevent delays in degree completion.

V.         Adequate Resources

• The department regularly assesses its resources and makes realistic decisions about its graduate program(s) in light of these resources.
• The department provides research support—in the form of equipment, laboratories or studios, staff assistance, and funds (where possible)—for the   research programs of faculty members who teach and advise graduate students.
• The department works closely and continuously with the library to ensure that the collection supports the research and teaching needs of the department.   The department is aware of particularly valuable library resources in its discipline and informs graduate students of those resources.
• The department and its faculty members actively and persistently seek outside funding to support research and graduate students.   Department graduate students receive adequate financial support and early notification of that support.
• The department allows faculty members sufficient time to do superior work in both teaching and research, and to advise and mentor graduate students in a thorough manner.
• Graduate students have adequate space and opportunity for informal discussion and interaction, and those who teach undergraduates have adequate facilities for advising and helping their students with class assignments.   Graduate students also have access to facilities and equipment needed in their graduate research.
• The department encourages faculty members to consult, collaborate, and share resources (courses, computer labs, etc.) with colleagues who have common curricular interests in other departments and colleges.

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10 good reasons to pursue graduate studies.

After a Bachelor’s degree, more and more students fearlessly continue on to graduate studies . Like these “active youth” that return to their alma mater after having tried out the job market, not to mention the Phd students that bring research to life and who are enlivened by research. Graduate studies, a dream opportunity? The proof in 10 points.

1- (Finally) make your own choices

If you write a thesis , you will FINALLY be able to study that topic that you are so passionate about! Your scientific undertaking may offer society a new way of seeing and understanding the world in which it evolves. In parallel, you benefit from the support of a research director. And nothing can stop you from choosing a professor with whom you’ve always dreamed of working for their knowledge, their aura, their teaching style, etc. What luxury!

2- Influence the future through your research

At the graduate level, you can push the limits of knowledge! You generate ideas, hypotheses, research questions, interpretations and original analyses. Your research could have a major impact on the world of health , anthropology , physics , communications , literature , etc. The answers that you come up with can make a real difference in the lives of people. All fields of study are important!

3- Choose a multidisciplinary path

UdeM offers the possibility of studying in a completely different program than that of your undergraduate studies and of exploring a whole new field. For example, you can have a Bachelor’s in psychology and, of course, continue in psychology, but you could also go on to study planning , public health or education science . Atypical paths have a richness, they allow you to acquire complementary competences. Why hold back?

8- Obtain recognition and a certain renown

People who have completed graduate studies are often recognized as “highly-qualified employees”. With the high levels of competition in certain professional fields, having a Master’s or Doctoral degree lends an obvious advantage. Your knowledge and capacity for reasoning allow you to stand out from other candidates and bring added value to a company. It’s good for the CV! Don’t forget that graduate studies also give you, among other things, the opportunity to coauthor an article in a scientific journal with your research director. It’s a great way to gain recognition as an expert in your field, as specialized as it may be.

9- Ensure a steady future for yourself

Studying at the graduate level is also imagining the possibility of obtaining a higher salary and more promotions, as well as, and especially, the security of a stable job that meets your expectations. “We have nothing without giving something”: to get there, you’ll have to work hard and make sacrifices, dedicate time, not count your hours, and be satisfied with a student budget. No matter what happens, pursue studies for yourself and only yourself! Don’t regret anything.

10- The pride of self-actualization

At the end of your path , you will feel an immense feeling of pride and accomplishment. Several years down the road, you will be able to savour your victory by looking back on the path taken and by benefiting from what your graduate studies will have brought you along your life. You’ll thank yourself…

Ready to submit an application ? Don’t wait!

Daisy is a journalist and project manager with Admissions and Recruitment Services (SAR). Lover of words and of people’s lives, her head is always full of ideas! Full disclosure: she worships Catulle Mendès, the author that inspired her to study androgyny in 19th century decadence literature. Which is also why she is pursuing research in literature at UdeM…

Why Go To Graduate School? Consider This!

Reviewed by David Krug David Krug is a seasoned expert with 20 years in educational technology (EdTech). His career spans the pivotal years of technology integration in education, where he has played a key role in advancing student-centric learning solutions. David's expertise lies in marrying technological innovation with pedagogical effectiveness, making him a valuable asset in transforming educational experiences. As an advisor for enrollment startups, David provides strategic guidance, helping these companies navigate the complexities of the education sector. His insights are crucial in developing impactful and sustainable enrollment strategies.

Updated: February 22, 2024 , Reading time: 13 minutes

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The popularity of baccalaureate degrees has steadily increased in the past 15 years, a trend seen for all ethnic and racial groups. In 2020, about 35% of Americans 25 years old and above earned bachelor’s degrees, a significant increase from the 7.7% rate in 1960. 

Such popularity isn’t surprising considering the numerous benefits of a bachelor’s degree in the workplace. Nearly everything that matters in the American Dream becomes possible with a bachelor’s degree – better career advancement opportunities, compensation packages, and access to services, among others. 

With these benefits, you’re likely to ask, “Why go to graduate school anyway?” Your undergraduate education has given you the foundational knowledge in your field of choice and brought numerous benefits into your life already. 

Getting into graduate school means a considerable investment of your time, energy, and money. With your current personal and professional responsibilities, pursuing a graduate degree may well be the straw that broke the camel’s back!  

But it cannot also be denied that you’re seeing many individuals pursue graduate studies, and you’re curious. The main attraction appears to be the promise of equal opportunity and social mobility that comes with a graduate degree.

The decentralized and rigorous curriculum is also part of the attraction, particularly among high-achieving individuals. 

But there’s a catch, too!  There is growing concern over the skyrocketing tuition rates resulting in massive  student debt  and less competent graduates from diploma mills .

Then again, the expensive cost of attendance, extensive demands on time and energy, and the disruption of a “normal life” aren’t deterrents for graduate students. The numbers are proof of it – graduate school applications increased by 2.5% on average every year during the 2010-2020 period. During the Fall 2020 term, applications increased by 7.3% from the previous year. 

There’s a good reason for it, too – between education and experience, employers are more likely to favor educational attainment in their hiring decisions.

Nowadays, the bachelor’s degree has its merits, but it’s best to earn a master’s degree to get the plum positions. There are also numerous jobs where a master’s degree is required to even be considered for an interview. 

Despite these challenges, higher education is still considered an essential element to success in the personal and professional spheres of life, if not the key to it.

Aside from the big paycheck that the completion of graduate study promises, graduate students say it’s about passion. Some see graduate studies as the most practical path toward securing a place in their career.

While others see higher education as leverage, especially for those looking for a career change, your love for learning and research, cultural motivation, and tradition play a key role in making this decision.

It is easy to understand why. Regardless of your motivation, going to graduate school is never a bad idea. You will gain advanced learning to your chosen degree, and become an expert in that field. You can also get paid while still in school.

Here are more reasons to consider graduate study:

You Will Become an Expert

Compared to an undergraduate degree, graduate education provides you with a more in-depth understanding of your chosen specialty.  Graduate students  gain advanced learning in a specialized field. In most graduate schools, students are free to choose a sub-discipline – giving you a glimpse of multiple disciplines.

Choosing a specialization is a challenge on its own, too, particularly for fields with a wide range of specializations. Foremost of these specializations are education, engineering, and health sciences, including nursing and medicine.

There’s also the fact that graduate specializations can either be sub-specializations of major fields of study or interdisciplinary tracks with different departments contributing to the curriculum. 

How, then, to make the right choice in a graduate specialization? Here are a few tips to keep in mind. 

• Consider your specific personal interests and professional goals. When these aspects are aligned with the curriculum, learning objectives, and student outcomes of a graduate program, it may well be your best fit. 
• Take an inventory of your technical skill set, usually gained through formal education, internships, and extracurricular activities. Look for graduate programs that will take your technical skill sets to the next level and, thus, make your resume more attractive. 
• Look at the career advancement opportunities or career paths that you want to take advantage of or follow, respectively. Your graduate degree should ideally open the doors to these opportunities! For example, if you’re considering a master’s degree in education, your specialization will be partly influenced by your choice between an educator or an administrator role. 

Furthermore, going to graduate school will provide you with opportunities to engage in a more hands-on learning experience, as well as experiential training. This is especially true in research-oriented programs.

You will also hone your problem-solving, analytical, writing, intrapersonal, and mathematical skills and expand your knowledge of technology.

Because you are a grad student, you will be expected to be a leader in innovation, taking the pilot seat in research and development. And as trained leaders in your industry, you are presumed to carry out the role of a leader.

As the workforce evolves, earning a graduate degree is a manifestation of your commitment to gaining the expertise that your industry needs.

With an advanced degree, you are treated with respect and credibility. Becoming an  expert  through graduate studies is the most efficient, albeit not the most economical, way to success.

Increase Your Earning Potential

A graduate degree is often synonymous with higher earning potential, which is true. We know for a fact that those who have completed graduate school are generally paid more than those who only have an undergraduate diploma, more so, a high school degree.

A graduate degree is an investment towards a stable financial future. According to the BLS, graduate education truly pays ! In 2020, individuals with doctorate degrees enjoyed the highest median weekly wages at $1,885, while those with master’s degrees earned $1,545 per week. These cohorts were also less likely to be unemployed, aside from having the lowest unemployment rate.

The bottom line is that graduate degrees are a good investment in your career advancement and employment prospects. 

There are also graduate degrees that are more sought after by employers and, thus, provide a higher return on investment. Among the  highest-paying master’s degrees is a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) because of the broad array of concentrations within the field.

Also, people who have earned an MBA from the country’s top programs see a significant 60 to 150% increase in their salary, while a master’s degree will give you an average of 25% increase in your future earnings. 

But the benefits extend beyond the monetary aspect, too! In a Lumina Foundation study , a more educated workforce means a higher rate of return not just for individuals and industries but also for society. The return comes in a wide range of forms, too, from higher tax revenues and greater community involvement, and a stronger democracy. 

People with higher education are more engaged citizens whose robust civic engagement includes higher voter turnout and community volunteerism. Their empathy, intellectual curiosity, and communication skills are among their drivers toward civic engagement. 

There’s also a significant degree of correlation between higher education and better overall health. People with at least a college degree have more awareness, willingness, and resources to maintain good health. 

Think of it as a graduate degree, not only bringing in the quantity in dollars but also the quality of life that makes life worth living!

Land Top Positions

It is believed that a  master’s degree is the new bachelor’s . In a competitive workforce environment, particularly in the United States, some positions require a master’s degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professions in community and social service, legal, education, and medical sectors typically require a graduate education for an entry-level position.

Most of the jobs in the field require an internship or other supervised training experience. In the medical field, employers prefer those who have completed clinical training on top of a graduate degree. 

A graduate degree reflects your expertise and credibility, which gives you more freedom to choose your career projection.

Now that you are an expert, your specialized knowledge increases your proficiency in the discipline. This will provide you with a competitive advantage, especially now that employers are raising their entry-level academic requirements.

Among the well-paying positions – annual salaries are $100,000 and above – where a master’s degree is the minimum educational achievement are the following: 

• General managers and operations managers acquired their skills through a combination of formal education and work experience. As the key decision-makers in their organizations, their management expertise is ever-evolving, too. Many have MBAs from prestigious universities, too. 
• Financial managers usually have a master’s degree in economics, finance, or accounting, perhaps an MBA. The advanced degree is valuable considering the ever-evolving complexities of the modern finance industry. 
• Aerospace engineers engaged in research and development or in the academe as professors typically must have a master’s or a doctorate degree. The more demanding challenges associated with these positions require advanced education. 
• Engineering or architectural managers usually have graduate degrees, too, due to the management and technical demands of their jobs. Work experience may be insufficient to enable them to perform their jobs well. 
• Computer and information research scientists put their sophisticated skills into creating new technologies and innovating on existing ones. The fast obsolescence in the technology industry demands that its practitioners have a strong theoretical and practical foundation, usually from a combination of advanced formal education and work experience.

There is No Deadline

You are free to go to graduate school whenever you decide to. Graduate school is open for anyone who has the drive to pursue higher education; you can enroll in a master’s or doctorate at any age or stage of your life.

The majority of graduate students are fresh college graduates. They go to graduate school directly after finishing their undergraduate degree. However, most graduate programs require applicants to have at least a few years of work experience.

To qualify for a top-tier graduate school, you must have an impressive resumé. One way of projecting competence is to approach your weaknesses with the will to correct them. For example, even if you have a competitive GPA, you need to solidify your application with a rock-solid essay. Complacency has no place in your  graduate school application .

You should go to graduate school when you are ready. After all, the purpose of graduate studies is to learn new knowledge and skills that you can use in your professional life. 

How will you know when you’re ready for the rigors of graduate school?

• You have a clear idea of your area of study, including your specialization, if any, and perhaps even a general idea of your dissertation topic. You also have a keen interest in your field of study, a must so you don’t become bored by discussing it ad infinitum or overwhelmed by its scope. 
• You are financially prepared, preferably with the financial resources to sustain your education for the entirety of the program. While most graduate programs offer a wide range of financial aid options, you must be prepared for incidental expenses and emergencies. You should ideally have a list of financial aid options, including their requirements, coverage and deadlines, perhaps even consulted with the university’s financial aid officers. 
• You have healthy coping mechanisms when it comes to stress and anxiety, perhaps even the blues. You will likely experience impostor syndrome, scramble to meet tight deadlines, and adopt unhealthy lifestyle habits. The high attrition rate in graduate school is due to these myriad of challenges, and only the fittest in mind and body will survive. 
• You have realistic expectations about your career prospects after earning your graduate degree. You’re confident that it will be a useful credential in your career advancement or change. You’ve done your research, too, and the 10-year prospects are good. 
• You have a solid post-graduation plan based on your research as well as your unique set of education, work experiences, and skills. 

While a graduate degree brings pride, prestige, and position, the road toward earning it isn’t easy! You must be ready physically and mentally for its rigors, even asking for support from family and friends during your journey.

Develop New Skills

Students who go to graduate school develop new skills that will set them up for life. The most impressive are transferable skills. These are talents and abilities that you can apply to most if not all, jobs and industries.

In a consumer-facing industry, such as customer service, for example, you must be familiar with the intricacies of the technology and software you use every day.

Among the many skills you get to develop while in graduate school are leadership, time management, analytical, budgeting, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. These are all transferable skills that can be easily translated into every possible employment setting.

Practical leadership skills will enable you to engage with your colleagues, set goals within the team, and delegate responsibilities. This skill is vital in building a confident and efficient team. Moreover, while industries undergo data migration and move towards digitalization, data analysts have become in high demand.

Follow Your Passion

Before the societal pressure of securing a high-paying job while pursuing job security, graduate studies were pursued by passionate academics. Fascination and passion are the two driving forces why people choose to go towards a specialized area of study.

Exploring a subject in graduate school means participating in academic discourse while surrounded by a community of esteemed scholars. You will be in the company of experts – faculty mentors, advisers, and colleagues – toward publishing scholarly research.

If you ever feel  stuck doing the same job every day , exploring higher education may bring your passion back. Landing the wrong job may be due to weak career guidance, financial problems, or even a lack of self-awareness. All these may lead to low levels of engagement, productivity, stress, and alienation – leading to burnout.

Pursuing your passion for learning through graduate studies may be the best decision you will ever make.

But you have to ensure that your studies align with your personal values! This is important because their alignment results in improved work relationships, including camaraderie and cooperation, increased work commitment and productivity; and greater success in your personal and professional lives. 

You can start aligning your graduate studies with your values by determining who you are, including your personal and professional aspirations. If you believe that there’s a gap, then you may want to reconsider your reasons for getting a particular graduate degree! 

In conclusion, a graduate degree is a remarkable achievement that not everyone gets to complete. There may be no exact formula to quantify the importance of education, but receiving a master’s or doctorate will give you a greater sense of personal accomplishment. It is synonymous with added value and credibility.

Grad School Debt: Everything You Need To Know

Additional Resources:

• Honest Reasons NOT To Attend Graduate School
• Interesting Facts About Graduate School
• All About The NAGPS – National Association Of Graduate-Professional Students

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What Is a Graduate Degree and Is It Worth It?

May 27, 2021 

Whatever your motivation, earning a graduate degree can have tremendous value. You can become an expert in your field, take your career in a new direction, or move up the career ladder. Graduate education also leads to personal growth and provides an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to your field.

The popularity of graduate education is growing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2000 and 2018:

• The number of people at least 25 years old whose highest degree was a master’s grew from 10.4 million to 21 million.
• The number of people at least 25 years old who had a doctoral degree grew from 2 million to 4.5 million.

The flexibility of online degree programs has helped bring graduate degrees within reach for many individuals seeking advanced education. Exploring the types of available degrees and their associated benefits can help you decide whether attending graduate school is a good option for you.

What Is a Graduate Degree?

The first step in understanding graduate education is knowing what a graduate degree is. The U.S. Department of Education defines graduate degrees as follows:

• Master’s degrees are awarded for completion of a program that generally takes one or two years of full-time, college-level study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Types of master’s degrees include the Master of Arts (MA) degree, the Master of Science (MS) degree, and master’s degrees in professionally oriented programs such as a master’s in business administration (MBA) degree.
• Doctoral degrees are the highest award an individual can earn in graduate education. Doctoral degrees can include research/scholarship doctoral degrees such as a Doctor of Education (EdD) and professional practice degrees such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

With the growth in online learning, the length of time you spend in graduate school is often up to you. You may be able to devote the time to be a full-time student, or perhaps choose to take only one class at a time. In addition, programs such as Maryville University’s Early Access Program enable you to take graduate-level courses that count toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

As you might expect, graduate education is more narrowly focused than undergraduate education, and courses are built entirely around a specific field of study. For example, if you loved your accounting courses during your undergraduate study but dreaded the required electives in English, you typically won’t encounter that challenge if you pursue a master’s in accounting. Another unique aspect of graduate school is that you may be able to conduct research and directly contribute to your field of study.

Benefits of a Graduate Degree

The specific benefits of a graduate degree vary depending on the person and the degree, but the potential advantages can be numerous.

Expand Your Knowledge

A desire to expand your knowledge can be a great reason to pursue graduate education. Say, for example, an individual has been working as a computer programmer and would like to expand their knowledge into software design or web development. Pursuing a master’s in software development could enable the programmer to acquire that knowledge and gain hands-on experience designing a web-based application.

Pursue a Passion

People who have a passion for something are great candidates for graduate school. That same computer programmer discussed above may have been programming data analytics software for years and, through that experience, developed a passion for data analysis. Earning a master’s in business data analytics would be a great way to pursue that passion and learn how to apply it to real-world business scenarios.

Enhance Your Resume

When considering what a graduate degree is worth, it’s important to remember that it can be a valuable supplement to the credentials on your resume. If the computer programmer we’ve discussed likes leading teams and heading up new initiatives, for example, earning a master’s in management and leadership could make their resume especially attractive to employers who are looking for both technical knowledge and leadership expertise.

Develop a Network of Colleagues and Mentors

Fellow graduate students and professors often remain valued colleagues and mentors long after you complete your graduate degree. Having that network can be invaluable in pursuing employment and staying up to date on trends in your line of work. While earning a graduate degree, our computer programmer will likely be able to spend time with and learn from other students and professors, which may lead to future career opportunities.

Develop Soft Skills

Earning a graduate degree is a rigorous process that leads students to not only develop quantitative hard skills, but valuable soft skills such as time management, communication, and critical thinking. For example, say our computer programmer pursues graduate education while still working full time. Succeeding in that situation requires sound time management skills. Working on projects with fellow students and professors in graduate school also provides the opportunity to enhance communication skills.

Is a Graduate Degree Worth It?

Is a graduate degree worth it? For many, earning a graduate degree can certainly pay off in ways that make it worth the time and effort.

• Higher salaries: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020 median weekly wages were $1,885 for individuals with doctoral degrees, $1,545 for individuals with master’s degrees, and $1,305 for individuals with bachelor’s degrees.
• Career advancement: Earning a graduate degree can help individuals on their path to career advancement, and in some cases it may be a requirement. For example, if you want to advance from a position as a registered nurse to become a nurse practitioner , you will need to earn an advanced degree.
• Expanded career options: Combining your undergraduate degree with a graduate degree can open more career options. For example, if you have an undergraduate degree in business administration and you’d like to work in health administration, earning a master’s in health administration could pave the way to the career you’re seeking. Likewise, if you have an undergraduate degree in accounting and want to open your own accounting firm, you might consider earning an MBA.

Pursuing Graduate Education: A Worthwhile Endeavor

Just as every individual is unique, so are their motivations for pursuing graduate education. But everyone who pursues a graduate degree opens the door to personal and professional growth.

Exploring Maryville University’s online degree programs and the advantages of its Early Access Program is a great way to discover what a graduate degree is and start on the path to graduate education.

Be brave. Take the first step on that path today.

Recommended Readings

5 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in an Online Program

Halfway to the Top: Career Advancement for Mid-level Employees

What to Do if You Don’t Get That Promotion

Harvard Business Review , “Should You Go to Graduate School?”

Inside Higher Ed , “Why You Should Pursue Passion Projects in Grad School”

National Association of Colleges and Employers, “The Difference a Master’s Degree Can Have on Starting Salary”

The Standard , “Why Should You Pursue a Master’s Degree”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Pays

U.S. Census Bureau, “About 13.1 Percent Have a Master’s, Professional Degree or Doctorate”

U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, “The Condition of Education 2020”

U.S. News & World Report , “How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree?”

U.S. News & World Report , “What Is a Doctorate Degree?”

U.S. News & World Report , “What Is Graduate School and Should You Apply?”

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10 Reasons a Graduate Degree Pays

Are you considering getting a graduate degree? Whatever your reason is for deciding to hit the books again, you should know that there are several benefits of a graduate degree. As you consider a master's or doctorate degree, here are 10 reasons why pursing a graduate degree is beneficial.

1. Practical, Relevant Skills

This first benefit is probably the most obvious. Master’s degrees are specialized programs of study. A master’s degree will help you develop advanced, field-specific knowledge, skills, and training, which can help you progress within your current job or make you a more attractive hire to future employers.

2. Competitive Edge in the Job Market

A graduate degree may give you an advantage over other job applicants or land you the job itself. Back in 2016, the Harvard Business Review announced that according to a Career Builder survey, 27% of organizations are hiring only those with master’s degrees. That is, some positions, which previously required only a BS, may now demand an graduate degree. Along with thorough preparation, of course, additional knowledge from advanced education might help you succeed in one of the most stressful of situations: the job interview.

3. Increased Earning Potential

Having a graduate degree can significantly raise your salary. According to the Salary Survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, some master’s degrees lead to significant salary boosts , with business management and administration being included in the top four. 

4. Mobility in Your Current Career

Supervisors appreciate employees who challenge themselves and who develop expertise that adds value to their organizations. A graduate certificate or degree may move you to the top of an internal candidate list.

5. Leadership and Management Roles

The specialized training, critical thinking, and focused skills developed with a graduate certificate or degree may qualify you to direct more complex projects. And many graduate programs, prioritize real-world professional skills, such as teamwork, management, and leadership . These aptitudes give you confidence to take on more responsibilities in the workplace while signaling to employers that you are definitely management material. Also, employees who excel at representing their companies often get more chances to travel.

6. Networking Opportunities

Graduate programs create learning communities; students build relationships with fellow students, professors, alumni, and other disciplinary experts. The professional connections, friendships, and networks you establish during graduate school can help you further hone your skills and grasp relevant opportunities. For example, Michigan Technological University alumni, some 70,000 strong, have access to many helpful resources and services.

7. Career Change

12.4: That’s the average number of times a person changes jobs in their lifetime, according to one career expert website. Maybe you’ve been on the job for two or even 10 years, but your interests have changed and you are seeking a new direction. A graduate degree may allow you to develop your previous education and/or capitalize on your professional experience, granting you more versatility (and options) on the job market.

8. Intellectual Growth and Transferable Skills

Despite the saying about the difficulty of teaching old dogs new tricks, you’re never too old to learn. Pursuing a graduate degree means you get to dive deeper into a subject that you love, or perhaps one that has haunted you from your early undergraduate days. You are going to develop competitive transferable skills that you'll be able to leverage throughout your career. Transferable skills are skills you can use in any professional setting to add to your career toolbelt such as project management, working with people, planning, developing processes and timelines, and organizing a team, volunteering, coding, freelance jobs, etc.

You’ll satisfy your love of learning and the goal of mastering a tricky subject while getting smarter. Yes, smarter. A recent study even found a correlation between achieving a higher education and warding off the effects of age-related cognitive decline. So you’ll grow your brain while contributing to the world’s bank of knowledge.

9. Increased Emotional Intelligence

Additional education also makes you smarter in other less obvious ways. Advanced education, when it improves your interpersonal, communication, and conflict-management skills, will enhance your emotional intelligence . Earning a graduate degree might help equip you with the traits of the most emotionally intelligent leaders.

10. Personal Satisfaction

Last but certainly not least, by earning an advanced degree, you’ll receive a sense of accomplishment from pushing yourself. Or, if life got in the way the first time around, you’ll gain the peace of mind of finishing something you started. Achieving a demanding goal brings increased self-esteem, which is not only one of the best advantages of completing graduate school, but also one of the biggest gifts you can give to yourself.

Master's vs. Doctoral Degree

Deciding between a master's or doctoral degree is a significant step in one's academic and professional journey. We've highlighted key differences between the two options, helping individuals navigate their choices effectively.

Depth and Breadth of Study

Master's and doctoral degrees vary significantly in the depth and breadth of study they entail. Doctoral programs typically require a deeper exploration of a specific subject area, with students expected to make original contributions to their field through extensive research. Master's programs focus on building advanced knowledge and skills within a particular discipline without the same level of original research expectation.

Research Emphasis

One of the primary distinctions between master's and doctoral degrees lies in the emphasis on research. Doctoral programs prioritize research, often culminating in the completion of a dissertation or thesis that contributes new insights to the field. While master's programs may include a research component, it is generally less extensive and may not always be mandatory for degree completion.

Master's degrees typically take 1-3 years to complete, whereas doctoral degrees require a more significant time commitment, often spanning 4-6 years, depending on the field of study and individual progress.

Autonomy, Independence, and Scope of Work

Doctoral programs typically grant students more autonomy and independence compared to master's programs. Doctoral students are expected to work more independently, take ownership of their research projects, and explore their research interests in depth. Doctoral programs encompass a broader scope of work. In addition to coursework, doctoral students may be required to pass comprehensive exams, engage in teaching assistantships, and conduct independent research. Master's programs may focus more narrowly on coursework and a final project or thesis.

Career Paths

While both degrees can lead to advanced career opportunities, doctoral degrees are often necessary for certain professions, particularly in academia or research-intensive fields. Master's degrees may suffice for other careers or serve as a stepping stone to further education, including doctoral programs.

Tomorrow Needs You

Whatever your motivation, if you’re ready to consider a master’s program and Michigan Tech is your school of choice, check out our Graduate School, which offers more than 99 certificates and programs .

We are a diverse, inclusive community of scholars, rising to society’s challenges in Michigan, the US, and the world. Students, faculty, and staff work closely across departments and colleges . If you are a prospective student, we invite you to further explore our PhD, MS, and certificate programs. Our combination of unique and exciting research opportunities and proximity to the beauty and wildness of the Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior provide a stimulating place to do what graduate students have always done—learn more, ask questions, and take on new challenges.

Michigan Tech’s Global Campus offers more than 40 in-demand online programs.

If your life circumstances prevent you from attending on-campus programs, know that there are flexible education options that let you work around your schedule. 

Pursue an advanced education without stepping too far away from your life or from your job. Many of our online certificates may be completed in as few as two semesters. Michigan Tech’s online degree programs offer the same excellent education no matter where you are. Our online courses offer the same rigorous, research-based curriculum as our on-campus programs. You receive the same degree and diploma. There's no difference.

Centenary University

• 9 Benefits of a Graduate Schoo…

9 Benefits of a Graduate School Education

Jump to programs, december 2017.

Why graduate school? This is a question that many of us may contemplate as we consider the impact further education can have on our future endeavors. Whether you are seeking a new career path or are looking to advance your skills within your current profession, graduate school has a series of benefits that can take you to the next level.

Here are the top 9 benefits of a graduate school education at Centenary University:

• Expands career opportunities: Within your current field or a new career.
• Intellectual exploration and development: Graduate school can help your overall cognitive development, as you are intellectually stimulated with more knowledge.
• Professional Development: Furthering your education enables you to be up-to-date with new research and findings within your field.
• Skill Development: Faculty will provide you with new tools as well as build on your existing skills, which can then be applied to your daily work.
• Recognition and credibility: Obtaining a graduate degree makes you more credible within your career and in turn increases your recognition as a working professional.
• Potential for promotion: Earning an advanced degree could qualify you for higher positions within your field of work.
• Financial gain: There is potential to earn a higher salary.
• Career change: Earning a graduate degree can also provide a gateway to a new career.
• One step closer to a doctoral level: After you receive a graduate degree, you will have the opportunity to go on to and receive a doctorate.

I was a student who was on the fence about getting a graduate degree, but I ultimately decided to further my education at Centenary because the classes were extremely convenient and could be built around my busy lifestyle. Classes are offered in multiple formats such as in-person only, online-only, or a combination of in-person and online.

Centenary is the type of institution that delivers a high-quality education and focuses on preparing a pathway for each student’s future. I learned a lot from experienced faculty members who have been highly successful in their fields. Graduating in 2016 with my Master of Arts Degree in School Counseling paved that pathway for me as it opened many doors, afforded me various professional opportunities, and most importantly, allowed me to do what I truly enjoy.

If you are interested in learning more about Centenary University’s graduate programs, check out our graduate admissions FAQ page , and contact [email protected] or 877-236-4723 to discuss the next steps to earning your graduate degree.

— Danielle Cappitelli    Graduate Enrollment Counselor

Contact Information

Office of admissions.

400 Jefferson Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (908) 852-1400 [email protected]

Education Is the Key to Better Jobs

Subscribe to the economic studies bulletin, michael greenstone , michael greenstone nonresident senior fellow - economic studies , the hamilton project adam looney , and adam looney visiting fellow - economic studies michael greenstone and adam looney, the hamilton project mgaalthp michael greenstone and adam looney, the hamilton project.

September 17, 2012

Few issues are more critical than putting Americans back to work. With the economy adding private-sector jobs for the last 30 consecutive months and the unemployment rate continuing to tick down, another concern has begun to dominate the discussion. Is it enough to find a job, or should we be more focused on the quality of that job? For those Americans who have been displaced in the workforce, what are their prospects of finding comparable employment in the 21st century, post-recession economy? After all, having a job—any job—does not guarantee a wage that will support a family. How, then, can we foster an economy that produces quality, high-paying jobs?

There may be a range of perspectives on the best way to move our economy forward, but one element essential to any answer is education. It may seem intuitive that more educated people earn more, yet the extent to which this is true is striking. A picture is often worth a thousand words, and the graph below illustrates this point.

The horizontal axis measures income while the vertical axis breaks up the income level by education level. As we move to the right toward higher incomes, we see that college graduates make up a bigger and bigger chunk of those earners. A few numbers help to underscore this. Those with only a high school diploma accounted for 39 percent of those who made between $20,000 and $30,000, but just 8 percent of those earning more than $100,000. In contrast, college graduates only accounted for 18 percent of the $20,000-to-$30,000 group and 75 percent of people earning more than $100,000, despite the population of these two educational demographic groups being roughly equal.

The message is clear—more education opens the gateway to better, higher-paying jobs. To put this into perspective, consider this:

• An individual with only a high school diploma is twice as likely to make under $40,000 per year than someone with a college degree.
• In contrast, an individual with a college degree is nearly nine times more likely to make over $100,000 than someone with only a high school diploma and 13 times more likely to make more than $200,000 per year.

On September 27th, The Hamilton Project will host an event focusing on the value of education, and opportunities to promote attainment and achievement in our K-12 system. We will release a series of economic facts about K-12 education in addition to three new discussion papers by outside authors— “Staying in School: A Proposal to Raise High School Graduation Rates,” “Learning from the Successes and Failures of Charter Schools,” and “Harnessing Technology to Improve K-12 Education.” Focusing on the new papers, three panels of distinguished experts will explore the value of stricter and better-enforced attendance laws, in coordination with other programs, to increase the high school graduation rate; the use of new evidence to demonstrate how targeted charter school methods could be successfully applied in public schools; and a new approach to evaluating education technologies to help speed the development of valuable new products.

The new Hamilton Project papers will be available on September 27th at 9:00 AM ET. For more information or to register for the event, click here .

Michael Greenstone  is the director of The Hamilton Project and  Adam Looney is its policy director. For more about the Project, visit www.hamiltonproject.org .

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