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How can I fit a master's degree program in with my work and family commitments?
An online master's degree might be a good option. Many reputable schools offer high quality master's degree programs that are done entirely online. Studying online allows you to work at your own pace, on your own time, from the comforts of your own home. People with many work and family commitments find online programs to be a great option for their busy schedules.
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When is the best time to get a master's degree?
Only you can decide when the best time to start a master's degree program is. Many students go right from a bachelor's degree program into a master's degree, while many others choose to work for a few, or for many, years. In some professions, master's degrees are required. If you are unsure about when the right time to go will be, talk to professionals in your field. If it feels right now to go back to school, go for it.
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Is it better to go straight to grad school after getting a bachelor's degree, or should I work for a few years first?
That all depends. Many careers require students to have a graduate-level education before they are able to work, such as lawyers, doctors, or architects. In those cases, students don't really have much choice. But most fields have work opportunities for students with bachelor's degrees, allowing students to work for a while, find a niche in the field, and then go back for more education if they so desire. Some programs, such as MBAs, prefer students with work experience, and set requirements, such as 3 or 5 years, for admission. As long as your particular field doesn't have a requirement for school, it really is up to you to determine which is right for you.
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Will I have to take a test to be admitted to a master's program?
Probably. Most, though not all, require applicants to submit scores from a standardized exam. Be sure to find out well in advance if your school has this requirement, as it often takes several weeks for scores to be reported. Graduate school exams are similar to the SAT or ACT and include the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, and others. For additional information about graduate school admissions testing, please read "Graduate School Testing" from our partner site, GraduateSchools.net.
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What kind of financial aid packages are offered by master's programs?
Students enrolled in a master's degree program might qualify for a variety of aid programs. Federal financial aid includes student PLUS loans and Stafford loans. Students may also qualify for aid from their college, including grants, teaching assistantships, and fellowship programs. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement to employees headed back to school. For more information on graduate student aid, please visit FinAid.org, or search for scholarships at FastWeb.
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Can I attend on a part-time basis?
Many master's programs are offered on a full- and part-time basis. In fact, many are designed expressly to accommodate working students and offer only evening and weekend courses. An alternative to a part-time campus program is an online program. Most online programs can be designed to be exactly as part-time as the student wants. Students able to work at a faster pace can complete an accelerated master's programs, while those who prefer to take their time can space out their courses as much as needed.
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How long will it take me to earn my master's degree?
That all depends on the type of program and whether you attend full- or part-time. The length of an online program, too, depends on how quickly you complete each course. Full-time graduate programs are usually about 9 credits, or three classes, so the length of your program will depend on how many credits you can complete in a semester and how many credits you are required to take. When enrolling in a school, be sure to ask about accelerated options, as well as options for part-time study. Many programs limit the number of semesters a student can stretch out a master's degree program.
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