The Value of Graduate School Education
Continuing Professional Development to Meet Career Improvement Goals
Sep 3, 2008
Graduate school is valuable to many people as they continue in their chosen career field. In fact, many career fields require continuing education at the graduate level. In some career fields you cannot even gain employment unless you have a graduate degree from the right graduate schools.
For example, public librarians need a graduate degree and it must be awarded from an American Library Association certified school.
For many people, earning a graduate degree will automatically place them in a position to be better off financially. For example, for business people to move up in their career field, they need a graduate degree in business administration.
However, this is not true for everyone. For example, someone earns a graduate degree in music; this does not necessarily mean an improvement in financial position unless the person is in education.
Value of Attending Graduate School
Before enrolling in graduate school, it is important to determine if the cost in time and money is going to be worth the experience in the short and long term. Here are some questions to ponder before taking the step:
- How much of a pay increase can be expected in your current employment?
- What are the average salary increases for people with graduate degrees in your career field?
- What is the cost for attending graduate school?
- What sources are available for financial aid?
- Are they any other options available other than a graduate degree?
These are important questions which need to be answered prior to enrolling in graduate schools. If there is not a financial gain, then the value is in question.
Continuing Education to Begin a New Career
Some people who graduate with a bachelor’s degree find it difficult to gain employment, such as: drama majors, music majors, psychology majors, English majors, history major, American studies majors, etc. These people typically wind up attending graduate school to specialize in specific career fields to make themselves employable.
They typically earn graduate degrees in:
- Teaching – Masters Degree in Education specializing as drama teachers, English teachers, history teachers, etc.
- Librarian – Masters Degree in Library and Information Systems specializing as public librarians, university librarians, reference librarians, public school librarians, etc.
- Psychologist – Masters Degree in Psychology specializing as counselors, social workers, etc.
Graduate School for Changing Careers
Many people who hold bachelor’s degrees in specific career fields find that they have made a mistake. For whatever reason they are not suited for their career, so they attend graduate school to earn a degree in a new career field. For example, science or math majors who find that they are better suited for teaching, so they enroll in a graduate education program.
While others retire from one career field and want to attend graduate school to earn a degree in a new career field. For example:
- Military Officers who attend graduate school to earn a teaching degree.
- Baby Boomers who retire as a business person and attend graduate school to earn a degree in environmental education.
Choosing Graduate School
If choosing graduate school is the correct selection, you will not be alone. As of 2006, there were more than 2.5 million students enrolled in graduate schools in the United States [National Center for Education Statistics, Graduate School Enrollment].
Graduate school is valuable for people who are in specific situations. You need to analyze your situation carefully and determine if there is an overall positive outcome. If there is, then by all means enroll in graduate school and continue your education.
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