What is Graduate School?

Graduate certificate programs provide the opportunity to enroll in specialized graduate-level courses without committing to a full-length graduate degree program.

In most cases, a prospective graduate student must have earned a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to begin a graduate certificate program, unless a student is enrolled in a combined undergraduate/graduate degree program (often called 3+2 or 4+1). These combined programs allow undergraduate students in their senior years to earn a limited number of graduate credit that can be applied both to their bachelor’s and master’s program.

If a university offers a master’s program that includes the same courses that are required for the graduate certificate program, they often credit the graduate certificates course towards the master’s program if students would like to continue their studies to earn a master’s degree.

In most cases, students in graduate certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. However, due to the smaller course requirements (in many cases between nine and twelve credits), the cost is significantly less than a full degree program.

Many graduate students, especially if they are enrolled full time, can complete a graduate certificate program in one year.

Master’s degrees require at least 30 credits for graduation and many programs, often when they are related to a specific licensure, might require a much higher credit load.

In some cases, universities distinguish between professional master’s programs and research master’s programs, depending on the nature of the specific field and the final capstone requirement. The term “capstone requirement” refers to the final work that students are required to submit in order to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and skills of the discipline that can be expected from a master’s degree holder.

• The capstone requirement for a research master’s program usually requires a master’s thesis, in which students document the independent work that they conducted under the guidance of a mentor.

• The capstone requirement for a professional master’s program is often conducted in a workforce setting where students complete an internship, practicum, field studies, etc., and engage in a hands-on application of their knowledge and skills.

Most master’s degrees can be completed in one to three years.

Doctoral degrees are generally considered to be the highest academic degrees possible in a field of study, and most of the work in these programs is independent and self-driven by the student.

In many cases, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for applying to a doctoral program, however, some doctoral programs require a master’s degree. Some doctoral programs (very discipline dependent) provide a living stipend. See the “What to Expect After Submitting Your Application” section for additional information about stipends.

• Research-focused doctoral programs center on students conducting and publishing original research, and lead to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a specific discipline (e.g., Biology, English, History, etc.).

• Professional doctorates (e.g., Medical Doctor/MD, Doctor of Law/JD, Doctor of Education/EdD, etc.) focus on students applying learned content in a workplace setting.

The time needed for earning a doctoral degree depends very much on the discipline and the ability for the student to enroll full-time and can vary between three and seven years or longer.

If your career requires a master’s degree to get started, going to graduate school makes sense as the next step!

Even if your profession doesn’t require an advanced degree, earning a graduate degree or graduate certificate can potentially advance your career by providing the opportunity to develop skills in a specialized area, grow your professional network, and practice through supervised projects. If you are thinking about transitioning to a new career, a master’s degree provides a way to gain new related skills while also earning an advanced degree.

If you aren’t sure whether your career field requires a graduate degree, the Occupational Handbook and O*Net are two resources you might find helpful. A graduate certificate can also be a good way to “test the waters” before committing to a full degree.

Earning a master’s degree or doctoral degree can lead to a higher salary and a lower unemployment rate. A study published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following median salary and unemployment rates for full-time workers in 2022:

• Bachelor’s degree: $74,464 median salary, 2.2% unemployment
• Master’s degree: $86,372 median salary, 1.9% unemployment
• Doctoral degree: $108,316 median salary, 1.0% unemployment

Getting a graduate degree can help boost your salary, but remember that pay depends on your specific field and where you live. It’s always a good idea to research salaries in your area before deciding. Two helpful resources for this are the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the website O*Net.

This is a great reason to commit to graduate studies if you have the time and money. As with other instances mentioned above, completing your studies might also lead to higher earnings or career advancement.