Have you received your undergraduate degree and are thinking of pursuing an advanced degree, if so, you’ll want to start planning to apply to graduate school or as many say grad school. There are several choices for continuing your education at a higher level. You can obtain a Master’s degree, a Doctoral degree or a Professional degree.
Applying for a Master’s Degree
A Master’s degree demonstrates specialized career skills in a given discipline be it art, science, business or education. It typically takes between 1-2 years to obtain a Master’s degree.
Types of Master’s Degrees
Similar to a bachelor’s degree, the focus of your studies will determine which degree you obtain. You can get a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) which is specialized for applied arts such as design. There is also a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Education (Med/MAT).
Testing Requirements
While some programs are test optional the standard test for prospective graduate students is the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). Here students are assessed on writing, verbal reasoning and math. A perfect GRE score is 340, with a possible 170 points for verbal and 170 points for quantitative questions. There’s also a writing section with a potential score of 6. A “good” score is generally considered to be around 320 with a 4-4.5 on the writing portion. A competitive score is around 330-340 if you’re looking to attend an elite school.
For students seeking their MBA, there’s a specific test for that called the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). This test was recently (in 2023) revised to what is now called the GMAT Focus Edition and is shorter than the GMAT classic edition and no longer requires the essay. A perfect score for the Focus Edition is 805. A “good” score is around 625. A competitive score is 655 or higher.
Applying for a Professional Degree
While anyone with a master’s degree can be considered a professional within their chosen field, in the eyes of higher education, a “professional” degree is typically a specialization in a field that most likely requires a license to practice. This would include doctors, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists and the like.
Law School
For students looking to practice law they need to obtain their JD (Juris Doctor). It takes about 3-years to complete this program full-time, longer if in a part-time program. To be accepted into law school, students must take the LSAT, a law school admissions test. A perfect score is 180 but a “good” score is around 160 with competitive scores at 170 or higher. After completion of a program, to become a licensed attorney in the U.S. you need to take and pass the bar exam. Passage typically grants rights to practice law in the state within which it was passed.
Medical School
Aspiring medical professionals such as doctors need to attend medical school. Medical school is another 4-years after attending 4-years of undergraduate school, although some 3-year programs do exist. An entrance exam also exists for medical school, it’s called the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). This is day’s long test that takes months to study for. A perfect score is 528. A “good” score is 511 and competitive scores are 515 or higher.
Students seeking a medical career must also be prepared for hands-on learning during what’s called residency after the formal education is complete. Depending on the type of medical specialty you are pursuing, the residency can be anywhere from 3-years to as many as 7 or 8-years long.
Applying for a PhD
A PhD is a doctorate degree in any discipline except medicine and sometimes theology. Despite common believe, a PhD is not “higher” than a masters degree it’s just a different educational path. It is however the highest academic qualification an institution can confer upon a student for research in a given subject. A medical doctor (MD) is the highest qualification for clinical practice.
Most students looking to obtain a PhD will most likely have to take the GRE or GMAT exam to demonstrate program readiness. PhD programs can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete with timing dependent on the field of study and research.
PhD’s become experts in their field. To receive this designation students must complete rigorous coursework, exams and write a dissertation/thesis which offers an original research contribution to the field. A committee then votes to determine if a student has passed and final approval may come from a governing body such as a Graduate Council.
Applying to graduate school is a big step that requires careful planning, research, and preparation. Whether you're pursuing a master’s degree to gain specialized skills, a Professional degree to enter a licensed field, or a PhD to contribute original research to your discipline, understanding the requirements and expectations of your chosen path is essential. From standardized tests like the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT to the time commitment and financial investment, each program comes with its own set of challenges and rewards.
Take the time to explore your options, prepare thoroughly, and align your goals with the right program, so you can set yourself up for success in your academic and professional journey. Graduate school is not just an extension of education, it's an opportunity to deepen your expertise, expand your career prospects, and make a meaningful impact in your field.
