
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
- Master’s: Available in most fields, generally takes 1–3 years.
- Specialist: Completed after a master’s degree and generally prepares for certification or licensure in the specific field (1 year.)
- Doctoral Degree: Highest educational level, requires original research and/or practical application (length varies greatly.)
Resources
- GradSchools.com & GraduateGuide.com: research programs
- GradView.com & Petersons.com: research paying for graduate school and test preparation
- 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:
- ___ If I do not 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/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; 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.
What are the academic programs of study I am considering are?
What is the primary reason for considering graduate school now?