Student Life and Services > Choosing the Right Program
Some graduate degrees are academic and others are professional in orientation. Academic degrees focus on original research whereas professional degrees stress the practical application of knowledge and skills required for practicing in the profession. Master's degrees may take one to three years to earn, and doctorates generally take four more years to complete. Those who intend to pursue doctorates may elect to earn a master's degree first, then proceed to select a different university, or somewhat different program of study, for their doctoral work. For many fields, the master's may be the only professional degree needed for employment; examples are the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), and the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). For other careers, the doctorate is necessary for practicing in the field; such degrees are the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), the Jurist Doctor (J.D.), and for college teaching in a specific discipline, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Once you've decided to pursue graduate study, begin to explore schools offering the type of program you want. Go to your local college or city library to find directories of graduate study. You'll find directories that briefly outline, for each field of study, the academic programs, financial aid resources, cost of study, application requirements, and other information. Use these directories to write for applications, catalogs, and financial aid information approximately one year before your intended matriculation date. You will want to do further research on the programs best suited to your interests and goals. There are a number of ways to do this, and you will want to start with your faculty. Ask those related to the field you intend to pursue for their advice on specific programs after you have talked with them about your interests. Also, go to the library and ask a reference librarian to help you find professional journals in your field. See which professors are doing research and publishing in your area of interest; you might want to write them for advice on the best programs to consider given your stated interests. If possible, visit the schools that appeal to you and talk with faculty and current graduate students for a better perspective. As you evaluate each program, consider such factors as the quality of the faculty, special concentrations and courses related your interests, the prestige of the institution, the facilities, the overall cost, placement opportunities, housing, geographic localities surrounding community, and any other factors of personal importance. Graduate programs are rated but the criteria vary, so read the introduction of each rating carefully to see how judgments were made. Your college library will probably have these ratings available on the reserve shelf. |
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