Is Graduate School for you?

A graduate school grants advanced academic degrees to students who have previously earned an undergraduate degree. Degrees awarded to graduate students include:

• Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) an advanced degree in business administration
• Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from law school
• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from medical school
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Should you attend graduate school?

There are several excellent motivations for attending graduate school. They include:

• A graduate degree is a pre-requisite for entering certain careers, such as law, medicine, university teaching.
• A graduate degree can help gain you further in-depth knowledge and training either for career advancement or personal satisfaction.

Deciding to attend graduate school is a big decision. It is important to ask yourself several questions about attending graduate school before you start applying.

• What kind of position am I interested in pursuing after graduating? Does it require a graduate degree?
• Are my interests compatible with what I would be doing/studying in a graduate degree program? Do I have motivation to explore a specialty area?
• Am I familiar with positions held by people with advanced degrees in my area of interest?
• Do my achievements and academic background reflect the ability to successfully complete a graduate program?