Graduate School

What type of degree can I earn?

Graduate degrees may be academic or professional. Academic degrees focus on traditional or original research, whereas professional degrees focus on practical application of knowledge and skills for needed practice.

How long will it take me?

Graduate degrees vary in their duration, depending on the type of program, status of the student (e.g. full vs. part-time), and the type of degree being pursued. Generally, Master's degrees can take 1-3 years to earn and Doctorates require 4 or more years. Although some graduate programs may require full-time attendance, a student who pursues a degree on a part-time basis will generally require a longer time to complete.

A timeline to help guide you in the process of applying:

In advance of the application deadline

3 months: Take the Graduate School Admission Test (GSAT) or whichever test is required for entrance (i.e. MCAT-Medical College Admission Test)
1 month: Send letters of reference
3 weeks: Write statement of purpose
2 weeks: Send transcripts
1 week: Send application forms

Then, expect to see a confirmation of receipt of your information. This is generally followed by committee review of your application, their decision-making, sending of an offer letter, and ACCEPTANCE!

I've decided to go...What's next?

Select a graduate school...look at quality, cost, and location (and of course, a school that offers the degree you are interested in). Then, search entrance requirements and begin the application process. Realize that this will take time and money, with application fees ranging from $20-$90 each.