Graduate/Professional Schools:

what is it all about?

Tom TomasiProfessor of Biology

Associate Dean – Graduate College

Questions for the Audience• Seniors v. juniors??• Graduate school v. professional schools??• Not a clue??• Sciences?• Arts?• Social Science?• Business?• Education?

Presentation Outline• Diversity of Graduate Programs• Homework before applying• Applying• Fast-tracking a Masters degree• Types of graduate programs

Graduate Programs

• Masters Degrees• Specialists Degrees (education)• Doctoral degrees– PhD (research degree/career)– Clinical degrees– EdD

• Graduate Certificates

Graduate Certificates• For students who do not want to complete a

Masters degree (generally 30 - 60 credits)• Usually 12 - 15 credits in specialized area.• Many can later be applied toward a Masters

degree

Do Your Homework• Investigate potential schools– How– Where– When

• Contact potential mentors (research-oriented)• Apply – When– Secondary applications

Standardized Exams• GRE, GMAT, MAT, MCAT, LSAT• What is required? (exam?; score?)• When do I take them?• How do I prepare for them?

The Application Process

• Admissions requirements vary by program– Basics– Program-specific requirements

• The Process– Your application– Their review

Fast Tracking a Masters Degree

• Starting a graduate transcript

• Accelerated Masters degrees– Early pre-admission – Higher admissions requirements– “Mixed credit” (6-12 credits)

• Senior Permission (< 12 credits)

Discussion ????