Continue Your Educational Journey
Graduate school is an opportunity to obtain specialized knowledge in a specific area of study; gain entrance into professions that require it (e.g., lawyers, counselors, physical therapists); advance within a particular field of interest; or conduct focused research and scholarship (e.g., history, sociology, chemistry). However, graduate school is NOT meant as a way to avoid the world of work.
We’re excited that you’re thinking about continuing your education! Learn more about the graduate application process below.
Researching Programs
Application procedures and deadlines vary by institution. Therefore, we suggest that you begin the research process roughly 18 months prior to the semester you wish to enroll. Once you have identified an area of study, create a list of schools. Then, review the catalog, department, and faculty information, and begin learning about their research focus, procedures for the application process, assistantship or financial aid opportunities, and more.
Different Types of Programs
- Master’s: Available in most fields, typically takes 1-3 years.
- Common Examples: M.S., M.A., M.B.A., Ed.M., and M.S.N.
- Specialist: Generally completed after obtaining a master’s degree and generally prepares for certification or licensure in the specific field, typically takes ~1 year.
- Common Examples: Ed.S., Psy.S., S.S.P., S.P.A., and S.L.I.S.
- Doctoral Degree: Highest educational level, also referred to as a “terminal degree.” Requires original research and/or practical application, and length for completion varies greatly by program, specialty, and institution.
- Common Examples: M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., J.D., D.N.P., and Ed.D.
Resources
- UT Southern Graduate Programs: https://utsouthern.edu/academics/graduate-studies/
- Research Programs: GradSchools.com and GraduateGuide.com
- View Program Rankings: PricetonReview.com
- Research Preparing for Entrance Exams: Petersons.com
Selecting a School
Assess the following to evaluate your fit academically and personally to the available programs of interest.
- Location: Online vs. In-Person
- If you have to move for school, how far away is the university from your family and friends?
- If you have a partner, what kind of career or academic opportunities are there for them?
- Size: Rural vs. Metropolitan
- How many students are there at the school?
- How large is the city where you would live?
- What amenities would be convenient or not?
- Cost: Assistantship, Fellowship, Loan, or Out of Pocket
- How much will the degree cost?
- What opportunities would you have for financial support?
- Many programs offer scholarships, loans, graduate assistantships, fellowships, and more.
There are additional questions you should consider when finding the best program for your graduate studies.
- Are your research interests supported?
- Will your long- and short-term career goals be met?
- What is the size of your program’s cohort?
- What is the faculty-to-student ratio?
- Is the program focused on research or industry?
- What prerequisites would you have to meet before entrance into the program?
- How long does it take to graduate?
- What requirements are there for exam milestones, internships, or thesis?
Evaluating the Program’s Quality
To determine the quality of your chosen program, consider the following:
- What is their commitment to research and scholarship?
- What is the reputation of this school, its faculty, and their graduates?
- What standards are there in the admission process?
- What is the accrediting body?
Assessing YOUR Graduate School Competency
Consider each of the statements below. Your answers will determine how ready you are to pursue graduate education.
- If I don’t go to graduate school now, I may never go.
- I can get a job in my field without a graduate degree, but not in my specialized area of interest.
- I am still determining my career goals, and graduate school will help me clarify my interests.
- I am actively exploring graduate school and direct entry into the marketplace.
- My professors are encouraging me to attend graduate or professional school.
- I can only work in my field of interest with a graduate degree.
- The job market is crowded, and a graduate degree will make me more competitive.
- A graduate degree will significantly increase my entry-level salary.
- I like school, and I am not ready to leave the academic environment.
- I have career-related experience as part of my background.
- I have always known that I would go directly from undergraduate school into graduate study.
- Most students enter my field of graduate study now from undergraduate school.
Also, consider each of the questions below.
- What specific academic programs of study are you considering?
- What is your primary reason for considering graduate school?