Pursuing a Graduate Degree
Are you considering further study after completing your degree at the University of Maryland? The decision to pursue a master's or a doctoral degree is an important one. Earning another degree now, may or may not be the best next step for you or your career.
Check out the pages below to learn more about the good (and not so good) reasons for pursuing a graduate degree, strategies for researching and choosing graduate programs, key application tips and information about financing your graduate studies.
Is Grad School Right For Me?
There are good and not-so-good reasons to attend graduate school. First and foremost, you should ask yourself what a graduate degree will do for you? Will it lead to a salary increase in your career? Is it necessary for the career you wish to have? Will it further your skills, knowledge, and competencies? You should also consider the pros and cons of going straight to graduate school versus working for a few years first to earn money, gain experience, and clarify your longer-term career and life goals.
Application Process
Completing the application takes persistence, attention to detail, and time to gather information and compile or compile the appropriate documents (e.g., application essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume/CV). Review the resources below to get a head start on your competition
Affording Graduate School
In some respects, paying for your graduate school education is similar to undergrad. However, for some graduate programs (especially those located in big universities with a lot of research/multiple departments and PhD programs), there are more funding opportunities, including graduate assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships.