| Graduate school should be considered before graduation |
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| Written by Brooke Cureton, The Shorthorn staff | |||||
| Tuesday, 09 March 2010 04:31 PM | |||||
 With the recession and current job situation, is graduate school the answer? Overall statistics are showing that, on average, a doctoral or master’s degree is reflected with an increased salary, but not all majors are equal. A master’s degree in business may help you land your dream job at an accounting firm, but internships and demo pieces prove important if you’re headed into the realm of communication. According to the Council of Graduate Schools, the largest number — almost 42 percent — of graduate applications in 2008 were aimed at business, engineering, and social and behavioral sciences. From that point on, the percentages get very small. A big part of deciding if you need graduate school are career goals. Obviously, if you’d like to be a professor, plan on getting a doctoral degree. Do research and look at people who have already achieved your goals. How did they get there? UTA offers 74 master’s and 30 doctoral degree programs in nine academic areas, as well as 43 graduate certificates. UTA saw a 12 percent combined increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment from fall 2008 to fall 2009. The increase in graduate enrollment is, in part, a result of new fellowships, scholarships and other awards. If you’re thinking graduate school is for you, look into what scholarships and programs you qualify for. One scholarship offered is the Graduate Stimulus Scholarship, which was put in place to benefit graduate students who have not found a job or lost a job because of the economy. Individuals who have received master’s degrees are more likely to have better health, higher participation in civic activities, better educated children and are more likely to hold government and education leadership offices, according to the Council of Graduate Schools’ publication Why should I get a master’s degree? An educated population improves its surroundings. Educated individuals are likely to pass their values to their offspring and keep the race for knowledge going. You can improve your credentials and enrich your life by furthering your education. If you are in a difficult spot right now with graduation approaching, it would be wise to talk with graduate advisors and examine options. If you can afford it or find ample financial aid, a graduate degree can be a great asset. — Brooke Cureton is a broadcast journalism senior and columnist for The Shorthorn Views: 556 | E-mail
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:37 PM ) | |||||
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