WHY SHOULD I GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL?
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Graduate education gives you a chance to learn more about the things that interest you most and to develop your interests and skills into a full-time career.
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By earning an advanced degree, you demonstrate your ability to master complex topics and carry out projects on your own initiative.
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As more people go to college, it becomes what the high school diploma
used to be.
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Higher level positions and the decision-making power often go to
people who have gone beyond undergraduate education.
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As you move up the educational ladder, the salary you can command usually moves up as well.
WHAT IS GRADUATE SCHOOL VERSUS PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL ?
There are two kinds of graduate degrees, professional degrees and research degrees, and two levels, master's and doctoral.
Research Degrees provide experience in research and scholarship.
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The master's degree usually takes 1 or 2 years of study.
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Not offered in every discipline. Many Master's level research degrees are obtained along the way of receiving the Ph.D.
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The research degree may involve writing a thesis or taking a comprehensive examination.
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the research doctoral degree, the Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) involves training in research,
which provides the skills to discover new knowledge. It can prepare you for a wide range of careers. It is primarily a credential for college-level teaching.
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The doctoral degree typically involves both coursework and a major research project.
It usually takes 4 to 6 years of full-time study to get a Ph.D. or other research doctorate, depending on the the field of study.
Sample Programs
Master's of Arts in Literature at UCSC (Master's Level)
Master's of Arts in Music at UCSC (Master's Level)
PhD in Philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University (Doctorate Level)
PhD in International Economics at UCSC (Doctorate Level)
Professional Degrees provide a specific set of skills needed to practice a particular profession.
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The master's degree usually takes 1 or 2 years of study.
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The professional master's degree may be in education, business, engineering, or some other area of professional activity. It will prepare you for a career in a particular area or will allow you to enhance your skills in your existing career.
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The professional master's degree often involves some type of internship or fieldwork.
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At the doctoral level there are also professional degrees. The most common professional degrees are the M.D. for medical practice and the J.D. for law.
Sample Programs
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan (MPP) (Master's Level)
Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley (MBA) (Master's Level)
School of Medicine at UC Davis (M.D.) (Doctorate Level)
Santa Clara University School of Law (J.D.) (Doctorate Level)
GRADUATE PROGRAMS @ UCSC
Division of Graduate Studies
GRAD/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCES
Peterson's Guide
Graduate School Information
Business School Information
Law School Information
Medical School Information
Professional Associations
educationUSA
Project 1000
Gradview
The Graduate Information Program would like to acknowledge the Council of Graduate Schools for the information that they have provided for this website. They publish the following scholarly journal "Graduate School and You: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students." If you want to read more of this work, please check out this publictation.
Kidwell, Clara Sue and Flagg, Cheryl A. "Graduate School and You: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students." 2004.
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