Graduate School Preparation
The College of Liberal Arts Student Success (C.L.A.S.S.) Center provides guidance for Liberal Arts students preparing to apply to graduate or professional school. The center will support you during the application process, as you write and edit your statement of purpose or curriculum vitae, and secure letters of recommendation.
What is Graduate Education?Graduate programs provide students with a specialized knowledge through concentrated study in one area. Graduate education differs from undergraduate study, which introduces students to a wide range of subjects although you major in one. A graduate program is specifically focused on an area of interest and on acquiring skills for a profession or to do advanced research. There are two level of degrees, master's and doctoral, and each level has different types of degrees, professional or research. There are also graduate certificate programs which are short term and highly specific or specialized in nature.
Source: Graduate School and You: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students
Why Consider Graduate School?A graduate degree can influence how fast and how far you advance throughout your career trajectory. An advanced degree can also increase your earning potential, opportunity for higher level positions, and the amount of responsibility you assume in a given profession. Certain career trajectories will require an advanced degree for example; if you want to be a college professor, lawyer, counselor, or a teacher at an early college high school then graduate level training will be necessary preparation for the proper credentials. As you decide which graduate program to pursue, consider your personal and professional goals. Take the opportunity to research the educational requirements for your desired profession. Investigate the career field you are pursuing to make sure you have a good understanding of what kind of graduate school program will best prepare you for the specific profession you want to pursue.