Graduate school constitutes an advanced program of study focused on a particular academic discipline or a specific profession.

What is the difference between graduate and undergraduate study?

The difference between graduate and undergraduate study is in terms of expectations regarding the quality and quantity of your academic work and its concentrated nature. Generally, you arrive at graduate school with the desire to pursue a course of study in a specific discipline or profession; typically, there is not a lot of room for exploration or elective courses. Your work will be more rigorously evaluated. The numbers of students in classes tend to be small; thus, interaction is expected and often necessary in order for you to excel. Most likely, you will be required to produce some type of original research. These demands are often coupled with work experience, whether career-related internship, teaching, or researching.

What Graduate Degrees are available?

• Graduate degrees are available in almost any subject and come in two levels: Master and Doctorate.
• Master’s degrees are offered in almost any field of study. Some are designed to lead to a doctorate degree while others are the “ultimate” degree for a profession (e.g.: Master of Business Administration). For full-time students, completing a master’s degree usually takes two years during which you may be required to write a master’s thesis or complete fieldwork experience.
• Doctorate degrees are the highest degrees attainable. They usually require the creation of new knowledge, whether basic or applied. In order to complete a doctorate degree, you are expected to conduct independent research. This degree may take anywhere from 3-7 years to be completed including the time it takes to write and defend a dissertation.

Is Graduate School For Me?

Before making the decision to go to graduate school, it is a good idea to look at what may be behind your decision. There are no right or wrong reasons for applying; but, dropping out may be avoided by honestly examining your motivation and gathering information on the realities of graduate education.

Graduate Studies

• Focus on a specific academic discipline.
• Require the application to include:
  1. Academic transcript.
  2. GRE or GMAT scores, as well as other achievement tests.
  3. A statement of purpose or motivation letter.
  4. Letters of recommendation.
  5. Work experience needed for certain programs
• Emphasize on specialization and entail intensive research focused on the field of study.
• Evaluate students’ work precisely, thoroughly and in a comprehensive manner.
• Expect regular class attendance and require active interaction in class.
• Demand the pursuit of innovative research, as well as an internship and/or teaching in some majors.

Available graduate degrees

They exist in two levels: a Masters Degree and a Doctorate Degree.

Masters degrees

• Prepare students for a doctorate degree or could be the highest degree for certain majors.
• Require graduate candidates to conduct research and write a thesis or carry out fieldwork projects.
• Are completed on average between one to two years for full-time students.

Doctorate degrees (PhD)

• Correspond to the highest educational degree.
• Expect students to create novel knowledge, whether basic or applied, through intensive research.
• Require graduate students to write and defend a dissertation based on their research results.
• Are accomplished usually between 3 to 7 years.

Is graduate school the right choice for me?

• Set an ultimate career goal before taking the decision to attend graduate school.
• Ensure that you have the necessary qualification and the passion to attend graduate school.
• Search and collect university information in order to choose the most appropriate and suitable graduate program.