Choosing the Right Degree

Choosing the Right Degree

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The editors at Grad School Hub decided to research the topic of:

What matters most when choosing a graduate degree? Money? Doing something you love? The journey to finding the right master's degree can be a long one.

What Do You Want?

- Consider these options when choosing a graduate school:

• Location
• Quality of life
• Degree programs offered
• Cost
• Time
• Resources
• Faculty
• On-campus or online
• Ranking
• Accreditation

"Love what you do and do what you love." - Ray Bradbury, author

What Do You Like?

- Think about the things in your life that excite you. There may well be a master's degree option that allows you to truly do what you love.

The Realistic Path

- If you like to...

• Do things with your hands
• Be outside
• Work with real-world materials
• Work solo

- Consider these fields: farmer/rancher, surveyor, forester, mechanical drafter, technician, firefighter, correctional officer, animal control worker, chef, landscaping, carpenter, explosive worker, machine operator, repairer, machinist, agricultural inspector, animal breeder, jeweler, precious-metals worker, pilot

- Possible degree

- Oregon State University

- Master of Forestry

- Average graduate tuition

- Resident: $13,188

- Non-resident: $21,219

The Investigative Path

- If you like to...

• Do an extensive amount of thinking
• Mentally search for facts and figures

- Consider these fields: coroner, computer and information scientist, engineer, animal scientist, biologist, physicist, chemist, economist, anthropologist, archeologist, geographer, historian, political scientist, astronomer, sociologist, dentist, nutritionist, veterinarian, detective

- Possible degree

- University of Colorado-Denver

- Master of Science in Chemistry

- Average graduate tuition

- Resident: $5,087

- Non-resident: $15,619

The Artistic Path

- If you like to...

• Work with form, design and pattern
• Express yourself
• Not follow a clear set of rules

- Consider these fields: architect, art director, fine artist, animator, fashion designer, actor, dancer, musician, graphic designer, interior designer, creative writer, film editor, makeup artist, choreographer

- Possible degree

- Parsons The New School for Design, New York City

- Master of Fashion Studies

- Average graduate tuition

- $20,855

The Social Path

- If you like to...

• Work with, communicate and teach people
• Help others

- Consider these fields: social worker, probation officer, counselor, health educator, clergy, teacher, nurse, physical therapist, athletic trainer, speech-language pathologist, child care worker

- Possible degree

- Loyola University (Illinois)

- Master of Social Work

- Average graduate tuition

- $13,950

The Enterprising Path

- If you like to...

• Start and carry out projects
• Make many decisions
• Take risks
• Deal with business

- Consider these fields: chief executive, general manager, legislator, manager, education administrator, funeral director, logisticians, producer, program director, copy writer, head cook, special agent, PR specialist, insurance agent, product promoter, ship captain

- Possible degree

- Central Michigan University

- Master of Science in Administration

- Average graduate tuition

- $7,305

The Conventional Path

- If you like to...

• Follow set procedures and routines
• Work with data and details
• Follow authority

- Consider these fields: treasurer, controller, insurance adjuster, accountant, auditor, financial analyst, loan officer, tax preparer, database administrator, librarian, medical transcriptionist, proofreader, inspector

- Possible degree

- William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

- Master of Accounting

- Average graduate tuition

- Resident: $29,610

- Non-resident: $40,010

Know Your Financial Aid Options

- To be sure, financing a graduate degree can be an expensive proposition. But consider the various types of financial aid available.

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Veteran's education benefits
• Loans
• Employer-based aid
• Teaching and research assistantships

It's About Getting a Job, Right?

- Top graduate degrees for pay and career growth through 2020:

- Mid-career pay Projected growth by 2020

- 1. Physician assistant studies $97,000 30%

- 2. Computer science $109,000 22.3%

- 3. Electrical engineering $121,000 17.7%

- 4. Mathematics (tie) $91,000 24.7%

- 4. Information systems (tie) $95,500 23.3%

- 6. Physics $114,000 20.3%

- 7. Occupational therapy $79,200 33%

- 8. Healthcare administration $87,800 22%

- 9. Nursing $85,900 21.7%

- 10. Economics $115,000 14.3%

Time an Issue? Consider Online

- Top online graduate schools:

- Washington State University

- Cost: $509 per credit

- Top programs: Business and engineering

- Duke University - Fuqua School of Business

- Cost: $6,381per year

- Top programs: MBA, executive MBA

- St. John's University

- Cost: $35,520 per year

- Top programs: Law, education

- Carnegie Mellon University

- Cost: $453-$540 per credit hour

- Top programs: Engineering, business, computer science

- Stanford University

- Cost: $890 per credit hour

- Top programs: Law, engineering, medicine

- Columbia University

- Cost: $628 per credit hour

- Top programs: Engineering, computer information technology

- Penn State University

- Cost: $8,222 per year, in-state

- Top programs: Clinical psychology, engineering, education

- Arizona State University

- Cost: $463 per credit hour

- Top programs: Engineering, education

- Central Michigan University

- Cost: $477 per credit hour

- Top programs: Business, education

- Georgia Institute of Technology

- ost: $1,100 per credit hour

- Top programs: Production/operations, supply chain/logistics, chemical engineering, civil engineering, physics

SOURCES

- http://www.campusexplorer.com

- http://mappingyourfuture.org

- http://oregonstate.edu

- http://www.ucdenver.edu

- http://www.newschool.edu

- http://www.luc.edu

- http://global.cmich.edu

- http://mason.wm.edu

- http://www.emory.edu

- http://www.forbes.com

Original article and pictures take www.gradschoolhub.com site