Beyond Graduation
Graduate and professional schools are a large commitment in terms of time and labor, and the decision to enter a particular program requires careful deliberation and assessment of career goals and academic interests. Many factors should weigh into the decision, and we recommend that you seek advice from faculty, alumni and others in order to decide if a particular course of study is right for you.
Types of Grad School Programs
There are academic degrees (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) which typically involve original research and writing a thesis, and there are professional degrees in business (M.B.A.), medicine (M.D.), law (J.D.), education (M.Ed.), fine arts (M.F.A.), public policy (M.P.P.), social work (M.S.W.) and others. Attending a graduate or professional school is a good decision provided that you have conducted sufficient research, obtained a clear understanding of your goals and expectations, and that you are realistically prepared. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to evaluate your reasons for seeking a graduate or professional degree and to find a program that best suits your academic needs and interests.
This entire section is also available as a Graduate School Guide PDF.