Graduate and Professional School Planning
Career Services supports students through their entire graduate and professional school application process: exploration, research, planning, personal statements, applications, interviewing, and deciding.
Graduate school refers to any degree program that provides an advanced degree beyond undergraduate education (what we typically think of as “college”). While undergraduate education gives students a broad, general education, graduate education provides students with advanced learning in a specialized discipline–to make you something of an expert in the topic of study.
While graduate degrees don’t always fit into exact categories, below are examples of typical types of degrees:
- Master’s degrees: such as an MA (Master of Arts), MS (Master of Science), or MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
- Time to complete: one to two years
- Doctoral degrees: such as PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), EdD (Doctor of Education)
- Time to complete: around five to seven years
- Professional degrees (a degree that typically prepares someone for a specific profession and can be master’s or doctoral level): JD (Juris Doctor), MSW (Master of Social Work), MD (Doctor of Medicine)
Typically, master’s programs are aimed at people seeking expertise for professional advancement, and PhD programs are aimed at people wanting to contribute significantly to research and academia.
University of Minnesota Professional Schools
- Carlson School of Management
- College of Pharmacy
- Humphrey School of Public Affairs
- Law School
- Medical School
- School of Dentistry
- School of Social Work
- School of Public Health
- Veterinary Medicine
View a full list of Graduate Degrees offered by the University of Minnesota here.
Graduate school can be expensive, and it’s a big commitment. Reflect seriously before deciding whether or not graduate school is right for you.
You may find that you have more opportunities when entering the workforce with a graduate degree, but that is not always the case. It’s imperative to research and talk with professionals in the field to have a better understanding of the ROI of a graduate degree. Additional education does not always lead to higher paying opportunities for everyone.
Some professions require a master’s degree before working in the field. Make sure you talk to professionals in the field, shadow, or gain experience to ensure the career is a good fit before pursuing a degree.
- It heavily depends on your career goals and the requirements of different programs, as well as your personal preference. While many programs offer admission directly after completing your undergraduate degree, many professional degrees require several years of work experience before applying.
- One potential advantage of this is that sometimes employers are willing to help financially support a graduate education
- Do you have, or plan to have, family or other life obligations that may make it harder to pursue a graduate degree later? If that’s the case, pursuing the degree earlier in your career may be a good fit.
Choosing a degree: When deciding upon the type of degree and program, consider your current interests and career goals along with schedule (will you attend full-time or part-time?) and budget. Research career outcomes and consider what value the degree will add to your skillset. The best way to research future career outcomes is to request this information from the admissions office of the school where you’re applying. You can also network with alumni of the program.
Choosing a school: Take into account the location of the school, the prestige, the flexibility of their program, and other factors that are important to you. The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report are good resources to research and compare schools. It lists their enrollment, tuition, location, and other relevant facts.
While application processes vary between programs and schools, the typical components are:
- Personal statement essay
- Entrance exam scores, such as GMAT, GRE, MCAT, etc.
- Transcripts
- Professional references
- Current resume
Specialized career support at the University of Minnesota
The Pre-Health Student Resource Center is here to help you prepare for a health professional program, wherever you might be in the process. They support you all along your journey to a health career – from exploring health career options, developing an authentic and competitive portfolio of experiences, and preparing your application to a health professional program.
Are you interested in the possibility of attending law school after you complete your undergraduate degree here at the University of Minnesota? Pre-Law Advising is here to help you explore, prepare for, and apply to law school.