Should I Go to Graduate School?

The decision to go to graduate school is a big one, and a personal one. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to this question – it ultimately depends on your personal circumstances, and your career goals. Here are some questions to think about when considering if graduate school is right for you!

First off – define why you’re wanting to go to graduate school. Are you thinking of changing career paths? Wanting to advance your education in your current field? Whatever the reason, make sure you have it pre-defined. If you don’t have a clear idea of why you are pursuing your degree, you will be less motivated to put your best effort into learning.  

Examine your current system of work/life balance...do you have the time to dedicate toward classes? If not, are you willing to adjust other areas of your life to prioritize time for coursework? When life gets hectic, it’s easy for a mentality of “just wanting to pass” to set in. Don’t forget that the purpose of school is to learn. If you’re hurrying through coursework to move on to other obligations, you may be less likely to retain information long-term. Is passing the class worth it if you didn’t end up with any takeaways which can be applied to your personal or professional life down the road? Going to graduate school may involve some short-term sacrifices for the long-term investment of knowledge. 

Many schools understand that finding time for graduate school can be challenging, which is why they offer online degree options for increased flexibility – making it possible to learn from anywhere, at any time. Webster offers classes in multiple modalities with options ranging from traditional classroom courses, asynchronous online classes with no set meeting time, to classes offered virtually through Zoom that meet at a specific time and day each week. If you’re good at working independently and meeting deadlines on your own, online learning may be a fit for you! 

Is there a particular university you have in mind? Make sure to do your research on the program offered at the school you’re thinking about attending. Dive into the degree program and learn about the coursework. Read about the classes you will be required to take as a part of the program. Do you feel the content will help you to grow personally and professionally?  

Also, take a look at the average timeline for the degree path – does the amount of time you are predicted to spend in school match up with your expectations? Many programs will allow you to either fast-track your time in school by taking more courses concurrently, or to extend your time in the program by taking fewer courses concurrently. Students who are worried about work-life balance can opt for the latter – it may take longer, but it helps to eliminate the amount of stress along the way.  

According to Amy Carroll, assistant director of academic advising, most graduate programs at Webster can be completed in two years or less. Additionally, each student is assigned to work with an academic advisor to create an individualized graduation plan that meets both the requirements of their program and the needs of the student – helping you meet your educational goals. 

Finally, examine the financial side of things. Will the degree plan be affordable? If you’re worried about finances, don’t hesitate to do some research – there are options to help offset the cost of graduate school. Consider becoming a graduate assistant – at Webster University, graduate assistants are paid $13 an hour and receive a scholarship that is worth 50% of graduate tuition. Also, check with your current place of employment - some organizations are willing to cover graduate school costs for their employees. If you work for a Webster corporate partner, you are eligible for 20% off the cost of your graduate degree. Or, if you’re in the military, investigate the benefits available to you. Webster has graduate transfer credit agreements with over 40 professional military and Department of Defense schools and offers up to 15 graduate transfer credits into select programs.   
 
So, are you ready to apply? Your next adventure begins today!