Students who have just completed their undergraduate degrees are curious about what a graduate degree is. As they have to pursue that in the next step. If you are also a student, you might be aware of the graduate degree. But it is something, separate that we know about it.
A graduate degree is an advanced degree with multiple professional and research learnings. If you want to further your profession or are just out of college, then you should learn about graduate degrees, their types, and their costs.
What You Should Know About a Graduate Degree?
A graduate degree is the further educational level that is earned after completion of an undergraduate degree in any institute. This is a normal form of professional degree where you develop your knowledge about a given area or study. A student who is studying more about his specific subject is referred to as a graduate student.
Simply, an undergraduate degree is about knowing the basics of any study field, while a graduate degree is about learning deeply about a specific subject field. You can pursue your graduate degree in any institution by following the guidelines and process of admission,
Different Types of Graduate Degrees:
If you are also trying to get a graduate degree, and don’t know how to get started. Firstly, you should know about different types of graduate degrees to get started.
Master Degree:
A Master’s is the most common degree that is usually obtained after undergraduate studies. This degree has multiple variants in different states. You can either pursue it with research or coursework. This usually takes one to two years to complete full-time study and a maximum of three years in part-time study. These degrees are available to all science subjects. Here are four main types of Master’s degrees listed below,
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Master of Arts Degrees (MA)
- Master of Sciences (MS)
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
This is a research-based degree that takes almost three to eight consecutive years to complete. The degree is focused on extensive research and the completion of a dissertation. If you are a humanities, social science, or engineering, etc. student, then you can go for PhD after any evaluation from the institute.
After completion of this degree, you can work in similar academic institutes to achieve further milestones in your research. The degree is not capable of enhancing any practical skill in your field, you just have to work in collaboration with your supervisor.
Professional Doctorate:
A professional doctorate is another type of graduate degree where you pursue any professional degree like, medical, law, engineering, or pharmacy. Such degrees are focused on entailing practical solutions to individuals with specified guidelines.
In short, the degree provides practical skills and extensive knowledge about any professional field. These degrees consist of, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Juris Doctor (JD), and Doctor of Education (EdD).
Basic Requirements for a Graduate Degree:
Each university has different sets of eligibility requirements for admission. While sorting out multiple university criteria, I’ve concluded some of the basic requirements that every university demands. You should also consider these before applying for admission to the graduate program.
- Bachelor’s Degree Completed
- Official Transcripts
- Entrance Test Qualification
- Letters of Recommendations
- Statement of Purpose
- Meet with Minimum GPA
- Resume or CV
- Specific Prerequisite Courses
- Research Proposal for PhD
Average Cost of a Graduate Degree:
A graduate degree’s overall expenses vary due to several factors like institutions (Public or Private), the specific program (usually lab research programs have more fees), and online or offline. Here are some average figures for different graduate degrees:
1. Master’s Degree: The average cost of a Master’s is around $40,000. However, it ranges between $30,000 to $10,000 depending on the institution and program.
2. Doctoral Degree: The cost of a doctoral degree ranges between $50,000 to 150,000. It may vary concerning the institute or program.
3. Professional Degrees: Degrees like MD (Doctor of Medicine) or JD (Juris Doctor) can be even more expensive, sometimes exceeding $200,000.
4. Online Programs: Online master’s programs tend to be more affordable, with an average cost of about $24,300.
Summary Lines:
They repeat that the effort and time, which is spent on earning the master’s degree, will be paid off. It assists in the personal and career growth. It creates opportunities towards having a better employment prospect and imparts specialized knowledge. Preparation is the key when you are ready to go to the next level, one such preparation involves research.
Knowing what is a graduate degree pathway offers endless job prospects for you upon the completion of a graduate degree. To achieve great rewards, you should work hard in building great research work and knowledge throughout the degree.
FAQs:
Is a Master’s a graduate degree?
Yes, a Master’s is a graduate degree in every state of the USA.
What is the difference between a graduate and a bachelor’s degree?
A graduate degree is a more comprehensive program of a specific study after undergraduate studies.
Is PhD a graduate degree?
Yes, PhD is also a part of the graduate degree,
Is PhD harder than a Masters?
A PhD requires more hard work, time, and dedication than a master’s, therefore, many consider it harder.
