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The University of Tennessee Southern

Pulaski, TN

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Application Process

Research Programs

Application procedures and deadlines vary by institution. Start the research process one and a half years before 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, research focus, financial aid, application process, assistantships, etc.

Different Types of Programs

  1. Master’s: Available in most fields, generally takes 1–3 years.
  2. Specialist: Completed after a master’s degree and generally prepares for certification or licensure in the specific field (1 year.)
  3. Doctoral Degree: Highest educational level, requires original research and/or practical application (length varies greatly.)

Resources

  1. GradSchools.com & GraduateGuide.com: research programs
  2. GradView.com & Petersons.com: research paying for graduate school and test preparation
  3. PrincetonReview.com: research program rankings/expectations

Select a School

Assess the following to evaluate your fit academically and personally to the available programs of interest.

  • Location (distance from family and friends), size (city services and entertainment), and rural versus metropolitan
  • Consider career/academic opportunities for your partner (if applicable.)
  •  Consider the cost of the program.
  •  Consider opportunities for financial support (scholarships, loans, graduate assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, etc.)
  •  What research interests are supported?
  •  Will your short and long-term career goals be met?
  •  What is the size of a program cohort?
  •  What is the faculty/student ratio?
  •  Is the program’s focus research or industry?
  •  What are the prerequisite courses for entrance?
  •  What is the length of the program?
  •  What are the thesis, comprehensive exam and/or internship requirements?

Evaluate Program Quality

To determine the quality of your chosen program consider the following.

  • Commitment to research and scholarship
  • The reputation of the school, faculty, and graduates
  • Admissions standards
  • Accrediting body

Assess your Graduate School Competency

Note whether each of these statements below are true, false or unknown for you:

  1. ___ If I do not go to graduate school now, I may never go.
  2. ___ I can get a job in my field without a graduate degree, but not in my specialized area of interest.
  3. ___ I am still determining my career goals, and graduate school will help me clarify my interests.
  4. ___ I am actively exploring graduate school and direct entry into the marketplace.
  5. ___ My professors are encouraging me to attend graduate/professional school.
  6. ___ I can only work in my field of interest with a graduate degree.
  7. ___ The job market is crowded, and a graduate degree will make me more competitive.
  8. ___ A graduate degree will significantly increase my entry-level salary.
  9. ___ I like school; I am not ready to leave the academic environment.
  10. ___ I have career-related experience as part of my background.
  11. ___ I have always known that I would go directly from undergraduate school into graduate study.
  12. ___ Most students enter my field of graduate study now from undergraduate school.

What are the academic programs of study I am considering are?

What is the primary reason for considering graduate school now?