Graduate School Guide 2016

The Graduate School Guide 2016 A speciality publication of Texas Tech Student Media

Before you can be accepted, you have to choose where to go ...

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So you want to go to graduate school? Where to start?

A pplying to graduate school can be challenging.

To get into a good program, you need more than just good grades and a lot of ambition. Letters of recommendation, good scores on standardized entrance exams and a strong personal statement — all of these things play important roles.

Just as important, however, are the choices made about which schools or programs to apply to.

There are many to choose from. Students in some disciplines will find hundreds, or even thousands, of schools offering programs that lead to a master’s or Ph.D. How should you go about making the choices?

Think of what comes after the degree Navigating the maze of choosing and applying for graduate school can be daunting for even the most prepared students, but with a little research and preparation you’ll be able to find your way to the right place.

The purpose of graduate school is to help students become experts in a particular area of study; however, individuals who hold the same advanced degree will differ in terms of the nature of their acquired expertise.

After you have your Ph.D., you will find that the degree is not what actually determines the jobs for which you are qualified.

Instead, the specific areas in which you have gained expertise best determine your qualifications.

Different programs offering the same degree can be quite different in terms of the types of training they offer and the types of specialists they can help create. You want a Ph.D. in psychology? In order to decide what schools to which you should apply, you first need to decide

what area of psychology in which you want to specialize. Before you can choose a graduate program you need to decide what kind of career you want.

You can’t achieve the same types of expertise in all programs. For example, one graduate program in economics might offer expertise in econometrics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic development and planning, and financial and monetary economics, while another program might focus more on labor economics, environmental and natural resources economics, public economics and industrial organization. A doctoral student usually specializes in just one of these areas.

Your success in getting into graduate school depends largely on whether you pick the right programs based on your particular career objectives.

Don’t underestimate the importance

of this match. It is one of the primary considerations of admissions committees. Potential students who fail to make sure the match is right are likely to be rejected, no matter how strong their academic credentials, test scores and letters of recommendation.

The best way to learn about career options is from faculty members or career counselors at your school.

Make an appointment to visit with one or more of your professors to find out what graduate school in your field involves and what kinds of career options are available.

Here, there or ever ywhere?

Many students tend to base their decisions about where to apply on lessrelevant factors, such as geographical location or the general reputation of a university. If you must live in a particular city, then you may be limited in the universities you can choose from.

These universities may have programs offering the degree you want, but there might not be one that offers the specialization you are looking for.

Many students apply to what they believe are the best programs or schools, without realizing that in most disciplines there is no best program or school. What is best for a particular student depends entirely

on his/her specific goals.

The strengths of any program depend on the areas of expertise represented by its faculty members.

It is a common misconception that a Ph.D. from a high-profile university provides a significant advantage in the job market.

In reality, however, it seldom actually works that way. Having a Ph.D. from a high-profile school might give you certain bragging rights, but don’t expect the benefits to go far beyond that.

Savvy employers won’t be convinced to hire you just because you have a Ph.D. from a distinguished university, and when it comes to translating your credentials into an occupation and a career, those potential employers are the only people whose impressions matter. They care only about what you know and what you can do, not where you got your degree.

There is no doubt that some programs are more competitive than others, but don’t assume you will receive an inferior education in a lower-profile, less-competitive graduate program. Some programs attract huge numbers of highly qualified applicants each year, while others attract fewer students or students with less-compelling credentials.

Why are some programs much more competitive than others? Contrary to what most people assume, the most competitive programs do not always provide better training than less-competitive programs.

Compiled from GraduateGuide.com

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Finding Funding: Professional master’s program offers

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Things to know about paying flexibility; mixes coursework, internships for graduate school Sponsored Content

Are you headed for graduate or professional school and wondering how to pay for your education?

Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation.

It offers more than $150 billion each year to help students pay for higher education.

Myths and Facts Myth: Parents’ personal and financial information must be reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Fact: In almost all cases, graduate and professional degree students are considered independent students and are not required to supply parent information on the FAFSA. Myth: It takes hours to complete the FAFSA and it’s expensive.

Fact: Completing the FAFSA online is easy and free. Recent statistics show that it takes an average of 17 minutes for independent students to complete it. You can complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.

Myth: Private loans from my bank or credit union are as desirable as federal student loans.

Fact: There are key differences between federal loans and private loans.

Federal student loans offer several repayment plans, including an option to tie your monthly payment to your income. Learn more about the differences between

Useful Contacts: www.StudentAid.gov — Contains detailed information about the federal student aid and FAFSA application process. Also includes publications and tools for managing Direct Loans. www.StudentLoans. gov — Site features information about completing a Master Promissory Note, Direct PLUS Loan request and entrance counseling. www.NSLDS.ed.gov — Site for the National Student Loan Data System contains information about all of your federal student loans and federal grants. The NSLDS does not include information about any private loans you may receive.

On Social Media: /FederalStudentAid /FAFSA /FederalStudentAid

federal and private student loans at StudentAid.gov/ federal-vs-private.

Which types of federal student aid can I receive?

Graduate and professional degree students may be eligible to receive aid from the following federal student aid programs: The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program — This is the largest federal student loan program. Under

this program, ED is your lender rather than a bank or other financial institution.

There are two types of Direct Loans that graduate and professional degree students may receive: • Direct Unsubsidized Loans — Eligible students may borrow up to $20,500 per school year. Graduate and professional students enrolled in certain health profession programs may receive additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan amounts each academic year. Contact your school’s financial aid office for details.

• Direct PLUS Loans — Eligible graduate and professional degree students who need to borrow more than the maximum unsubsidized loan amounts to meet their education costs may apply for a PLUS loan. A credit check will be performed during the application process.

Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) Program — This is a school-based loan program for eligible students with exceptional financial need. You may qualify for a Perkins Loan of up to $8,000 each year depending on your financial need, the amount of other aid you receive and the availability of funds at your school.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant — The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete See Funding, page 13

The Rice University Professional Science Master’s Program offers five science master’s degrees in: • Bioscience and Health Policy • Environmental Analysis and Decision Making • Nanoscale Physics • Space Studies • Subsurface Geoscience Unlike traditional master’s degrees, these degrees combine an interdisciplinary curriculum consisting of advanced science coursework with business, management and communication training, and hands-on experience (in the form of a required in-

ternship), enabling graduates to acquire a new tool-set for success in a business environment.

Each degree track requires a unique set of science courses that provide students with the core expertise needed by industrial and/or governmental organizations. Students supplement these foundation courses by choosing electives in line with their areas of interest.

The 21-month professional masSee Rice, page 15

While enrolled in the Professional Science Master’s Program, students will be able to enjoy the beautiful Rice campus.

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Biomedical sciences school offers education, research opportunities The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center strives to educate the next generation of scientists and healthrelated professionals in a dynamic and productive research environment that fosters creativity and discovery. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the health of people by providing educational opportunities for students and healthcare professionals, advancing knowledge through scholarship and research, and providing patient care and service.

The school has four graduate programs with research opportunities in Abilene, Amarillo and Lubbock. Originally part of the

School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences became a separate school in 1994 to coordinate the training of biomedical scientists.

We offer a relatively low cost of education, with tuition and fees for full-time, in-state resident costs of approximately $2,000/per semester. Most doctoral students are employed as research assistants and therefore qualify for fee waivers that reduce tuition and fees to approximately $700 per semester.

A small student body, a diverse faculty and a low student-faculty ratio are factors that promote learning and encourage interaction between students. These unique factors

Sponsored Content create a highly competitive environment for students applying each year.

Current degree offerings include: • Biomedical Sciences M.S. — Concentration in Graduate Medical Sciences • Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. — Concentrations in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology; Immunology and Infectious Diseases; Molecular Biophysics; Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology • Biotechnology M.S. • Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. • Public Health M.P.H. and Certificate • Dual Degree Programs

— M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.S., Ph.D./M.B.A., M.S./M.B.A, M.S./J.D. Some of the many research areas include: messenger RNA processing, multidrug resistance of cancer cells, vaccine development, microbial pathogenesis, mechanisms of membrane transport, cell signaling, neurovascular/ blood brain barrier, drug discovery, pain

mechanisms, and substance abuse and addiction. A major theme of the research is translating innovating scientific discoveries into new therapeutic strategies that may ultimately be used to treat diseases.

T h e training received through any of our current degree offerings prepares graduates for a broad

range of career paths that include research and/or teaching in academia, industry, government and private organizations.

In addition to graduate programs, we offer two summer undergraduate research internship opportunities: the Amarillo Biomedical Research Internship and Summer Accelerated Biomedical Research in Lubbock. Intended for undergraduate students who wish to gain research experience prior to entering graduate school, participants complete an intensive 10-week research project in a faculty sponsor’s laboratory and present their research at the Final Research Symposium.

See GSBS, page 15

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High-stakes bar exam rejecting more incoming lawyers in Texas (AP) — The state’s bar exam is weeding out significantly more would-be lawyers than it did five years ago, and some observers say it’s because law schools are turning out graduates who are less prepared to enter the field.

“There are a significant number of law schools, including law schools in Texas, that have taken less-qualified students in response to financial pressure,” said Kyle McEntee, executive director of Law School Transparency, a Washington, D.C., watchdog group. “The worst is yet to come.”

But Stephen Sheppard, dean of the St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, said while legal education can improve, there’s another problem with the test.

“I don’t know of a law school that is knowingly bringing in unqualified students, then retaining them for profit, and sends them forth,” he said. “There’s something wrong with the bar exam.

“My personal opinion is that the grading formula at the National Conference of Bar Examiners is broken.

That’s why the pass-rate nationwide has been dropping like a rock,” he said, referring to the group that writes legal tests used by a number of states, including Texas for portions of its exam.

Texas has nine accredited law schools that charge between $19,970 and $55,547 per year in tuition and fees.

Last year, they turned out 2,190 graduates.

In order to land jobs as

Did you Know ...

• Texas has nine accredited law schools • Tuition and fees at those schools ranges from $19,970 to $55,547 • Only 77 percent of law school graduates who took the bar in July 2015 passed on their first try, compared to 86 percent in 2010

lawyers and join the ranks of nearly 86,500 attorneys working in Texas, those former students must first pass a grueling 15-hour exam spread over three days.

“Passing the bar is everything,” said Ellis Ware, 29, a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center who is now prepping to take the exam in February. “Having a law degree doesn’t mean much if you can’t pass the bar.”

For many law students, the stakes are high, not just professionally but financially. As of 2012, a freshly minted law degree came with about $140,000 in student debt.

But just 77 percent of those who took the test in Texas last July passed on their first try. That was down from 86 percent five years earlier, according to the state’s Board of Law Examiners.

Overall, only two-thirds of those who took the test last July passed. Those included graduates of nonTexas law schools, as well as repeat test-takers.

Typically applicants are given no more than five attempts to pass the exam.

Susan Henricks, execu-

tive director of Texas’ Board of Law Examiners, said in an email that the components of the test haven’t changed in the past five years.

A possible explanation for declining bar exam scores could be found in the exams that the same students took before ever walking into a course in legal contracts.

Scores on the standardized Law School Admission Test, along with undergraduate grades, are a key factor in deciding who gets into law school to join the paper chase.

And students who start out with lower LSAT scores are less likely to pass a bar exam on the other side of the typical, three-year law school education, noted Deborah Merritt, a professor at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. Erica Moeser, president of the National Conference of Bar Examiners, in a recent column described a general “shift downward” of LSAT scores. At the same time, she wrote, law schools are experiencing a “perfect storm of declining demand” among students who once might have considered applying.

“They don’t want to undertake three years of school and considerable debt, only to find that they might not get employment,” she wrote.

A recent report by Law School Transparency shows that schools are, in fact, admitting more students whose LSAT scores put them at risk of failing the bar upon graduation.

Christopher Roberts, a spokesman for the UniverSee Law School, page 15

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ABC? XYZ? Here’s a look at what some grad school terminology means Thinking about continuing your education but feeling intimidated by the language in your cursory research?

Never fear. Here’s a quick lesson on grad school lingo: A.B.D. This is an acronym for “All But Dissertation.” These will be the initials behind your name if you’ve completed all your Ph.D. coursework in graduate school, but not your thesis.

Academic graduate education This is a graduate education that emphasizes performing and evaluating research in a specific field, such as literature or biochemistry.

Academic master’s degrees These are the broad Mas-

ter of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Sciences (M.S.) degrees, usually awarded in the traditional arts, sciences and humanities disciplines. M.S. degrees also are awarded in technical fields, such as engineering and agriculture.

These degrees may lead to your entrance into a doctoral program.

Assistantship Assistantships are available at many grad schools with graduate programs and can be teaching or research centered. In exchange for completing some work or research for the graduate program, you’re offered free or reduced tuition, as well as other possible benefits, such as health insurance and a monthly stipend.

Committee

Faculty members, in addition to a research adviser, that help guide coursework and research. These members also will serve as your final examiners during your defense.

Defense Generally an oral presentation to a committee of people where you provide a summary of your thesis and the research results you obtained. An examining committee then presents you with questions and you must respond and defend your work. There’s usually a time limit.

Dissertation The D word is a fancy synonym for thesis.

Exams Every program has an exam of some sort, and

these go by many names such as cumulative exams (cumes), comprehensive exams (comps), preliminary exams (prelims), general exams (generals/ GEs) and qualifying exams (quals). These exams, which can be written and/ or oral, are given by most graduate programs with the purpose of making sure the student understands his/ her discipline well enough to conduct independent research in the field. The specifics of these exams are dependent on each program, but can range from focusing only on the students’ research to expecting the student to understand a wider range of topics.

Fellowship Fellowships are essen-

tially scholarships or grants awarded to doctoral students. Awards vary but could include enough money to cover the cost of everything, including tuition, housing and food. Sometimes they have strings attached, such as working on a specific type of research or publishing a set number of articles in a specific field.

Internship Work experience as part of a field of study, which usually takes place over several months. It may be full-time, may require you to move and you may be paid. An internship may be required for graduation from a graduate program, but may be waived under certain circumstances.

Letter of recommendation

These are letters written by past or current professors, employers, co-workers or peers that provide solid examples of your work habits.

They typically are submitted with your application.

Non-thesis option Some master’s degree programs do not require students to complete a thesis or research project in order to graduate. These are called non-thesis options.

Orals These are essentially final exams for graduate school, which are common for doctoral degrees and sometimes required for master’s-level programs.

These comprehensive exams are presented verbally and are usually graded by See Terms, page 8

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What’s the difference?

Entrance exams

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AgEd degree programs designed to prepare grads for jobs, advancement

Whether you’re considering pursing a master’s degree, possibly followed by a doctorate, or you’re thinking about law school or medical school, chances are there will be an entrance exam in your future. There are numerous study guides, review programs and classes available to help with the preparation but before then, here’s a quick glimpse at the differences between the tests.

MCAT

LSAT

• The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, was developed and is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

• The MCAT is a “standardized, multiple-choice examination created to help medical school admissions offices assess … problem-solving, critical thinking and knowledge of natural, behavioral and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine,” according to the AAMC website.

• For more information about the MCAT and applying to medical school, visit https://studentsresidents.aamc.org/applyingmedical-school/taking-mcatexam.

• The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and is comprised of several sections of multiplechoice questions and a writing sample.

• The LSAT measures “skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to think critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and arguments of others,” according to the LSAC website.

• For more information about the LSAT, visit www.lsac.org/ index.

GRE

?

• The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, was developed and is administered and scored

by Educational Testing Services (ETS), a private nonprofit organization. Many graduate and business schools use the GRE to assess applicants to their programs.

• The GRE measures “verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills — skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to a specific field of study …,” according to the ETS website.

• For details about the test, visit www.ets.org/gre.

The Texas Tech Department of Agricultural Education and Communication offers programs that prepare graduates for a variety of industries and combines fundamentals of agriculture with education and communication classes.

The department offers both in-residence and online master’s degree options.

Sponsored Content The Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at Texas Tech University is consid-

ered a national leader in the discipline.

The Master of Science in Agricultural Education is designed to prepare graduates for teaching, research,

Texas Tech

Agricultural Education & Communications

re

Anywhe

From here, it’s possible.

Top 10 in the Nation

in agricultural communications, education, and leadership

GMAT

• The Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, was created by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a global nonprofit council of business schools.

• The GMAT measures verbal reasoning, analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and integrated reasoning and is “a valid and reliable predictor of … academic performance in today’s graduate management programs,” according to the GMAC website.

• Find more information about the GMAT at www.mba.com/us.

extension, leadership and administrative positions in the public and private sectors. Students focus on a core of agricultural educaSee Ag Ed, page 15

Master’s

at a

Distance

in agricultural communications or agricultural education

Apply online at www.applytexas.org

Advancement

in a variety of communication, mass media, marketing, and public relations postitions

Web-Based Courses and video courses to fit your schedule

Scott Burris, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Graduate Studies Coordinator

806-834-8689 scott.burris@ttu.edu www.depts.ttu.edu/aged

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Rice Architecture uses small size to its advantage Sponsored Content The Rice School of Architecture is a think tank.

We build knowledge: about architecture, about the city, about program, about form, about technology, about what we know, about what we knew, about what we will know soon.

The Rice School of Architecture is intimate and intense. We are a small school with large ambitions. We are nimble. We can, and do, optimize at every turn. We know you. You know us.

At our core is a running conversation: a tête-à-tête that is curated, spontaneous, formal and informal. It connects students, faculty and visitors. It connects architecture to ideas. It connects the

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school to the world. It is as casual as a passing exchange and as vibrant as a thesis presentation. It takes place in a series of carefully considered studios, lecture courses, seminars, workshops, events and travels around the world.

It takes place over a coffee.

It might be rumination; it might be rambunctious.

It is a conversation that begins as an introduction to architecture and culminates in an architect being far more than conversant: The Rice School of Architecture teaches architects to be leaders in the conversations that makes up our discipline.

Curious? Visit the RSA online at arch.rice.edu, faceThe Rice School of Architecture prides itself on maintaining a small enrollment that facilitates dialogue among students, faculty, staff and alumni. book.com/RiceArch and twitFaculty strive to connect students to the core concepts of the discipline and ter.com/RiceArch or call us at 713-348-5202. to the world around them.

TERMS, from page 6 a small committee of professors who will require you to demonstrate mastery of the concepts you’ve studied.

Personal statement A personal statement gives you the chance to explain to an admissions committee why you would be the perfect fit for their program.

It is the only chance you have to sell yourself to the admissions committee, so you’ll want to make sure it’s good.

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) This is an advanced degree, beyond the master’s level, which requires further courses, as well as several years of original research culminating in a dissertation.

Practicum A work experience or hands-on portion of a class offered in graduate schools. For instance, clinical psychology students may spend eight hours a week seeing clients to fulfill such

Things to know before you apply to grad school • Higher education = job security — The unemployment rate for individuals with professional degrees is almost half of the rate of individuals with only bachelor’s degrees • Higher education = higher pay — The average person with a bachelor’s degree will earn about $2.3 million over his/her lifetime. Compare that to the $2.7 million the average person with a master’s degree will earn over the same time period and the $3.6 million that person would earn with a professional degree according to a study by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce.

• Higher pay ≠ quick payoff — Tuition and fees for a master’s program can exceed $20,000 at the average public college and $45,000 at the average private university. Add that to existing undergrad debt and management of student debt, which averages around $28,000, according to the Institute for College Access & Success, can be staggering.

• Higher education just makes sense — Continuing your education should pay off if you hope to enter a field that routinely requires a graduate degree for job placement or if your planned career field typically rewards hires with graduate degrees with higher salaries.

Source: “The Most Important Thing to Know Before Applying to Grad School,” Money magazine online, Feb. 9, 2015

a requirement. A practicum is smaller in scope than an internship and usually only lasts as long as the length of the course which requires it.

Professional graduate education This is a graduate education that emphasizes learning the skills and knowledge necessary to practice a profession, such as attending med school or studying social work.

Research adviser A faculty member who advises the student with his/ her research.

Residency requirement Residency requirements describe the amount of time an online graduate student will spend on campus. Many online programs can be completed totally from home, but some require students to complete courses at the grad school’s physical location.

Terminal master’s degree These are also referred to as professional master’s degrees and include degrees

with descriptive titles, such as Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A).. These are degrees that prepare you for a specific profession. Any further education at the Ph.D. level isn’t considered necessary to enter your career field. Other “terminal” degrees may include international relations, architecture, public administration and urban planning.

Thesis In a nutshell, a thesis is one huge gigantic research paper. A thesis is almost always required when pursuing a Ph.D., but some master’s programs require them as well. Your thesis is an original and significant contribution to research in your field and your shining academic achievement.

Sources: www.petersons.com, www.campusexplorer.com and www.caffeinatedconfidence. wordpress.com.

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BALANCING ACT

B

Juggling graduate school,

efore I started law school, I heard all the horror stories about what life would be like.

Late nights, early mornings and caffeine would be daily necessities while free time would dry up and disappear. Trying to maintain a job through all this would be akin to suicide.

While I have found this to be only a slight exaggeration, starting graduate school at any level will require an adjustment. It’s much different than anything you’ve faced before, and it can whip you if you’re not prepared for it. Here are some tips for navigating these often-choppy waters.

Working while in grad school Some will undoubtedly try to discourage you from working while in graduate school, but let’s face it — school isn’t cheap and we need money. Sometimes we

Andrew Gleinser is a third-year law student from Houston, Texas.

don’t have much of a choice about whether or not to work. Regardless, it’s tough, but it is doable.

Your success will depend on your time-management skills. You have to be able to allocate your time efficiently and effectively, because it will be limited. If you can find a job that doesn’t provide too much added stress, it will make things easier.

Just remember that school is your priority and your primary focus, because that’s the whole reason you’re here. If you neglect it, you’re wasting money.

Relationships Graduate school can be tough on relationships, especially if you’re working

too. Single people can find it hard to date and start relationships, and those who already have a significant other will have their relationships tested.

I’ve experienced this firsthand myself. A fouryear relationship fell apart during my first semester of law school, which only made things tougher than they already were. You’ll definitely want to avoid heartbreak during this time if at all possible.

Make sure your significant other knows how busy you’re going to be and acknowledges that there will be some loneliness and distance. If you’re with someone who needs a great deal of attention, this is especially important.

If you’re single, you need to be prepared for the possibility of staying that way throughout grad school because it’s hard to start a new

life difficult but rewarding

relationship while you’re this busy. Anyone you bring into your life needs to know what they’re in for.

The bottom line is your significant other should not be another source of stress.

They should be a source of comfort and support, but should not make things more difficult for you.

Children, parents, siblings and friends could provide some of the same problems, and they should be well aware that you’re not avoiding them if you find yourself having to miss an event. It’s just a hazard we all have to endure from time to time.

Recreation Perhaps surprisingly, I’m not going to say you won’t be able to have any fun while in graduate school. You can and absolutely should have some fun. You just won’t be able to have as much fun as you might have had before.

It’s important to make some time to enjoy yourself and blow off some steam.

You will undoubtedly be busy, but there is no need to be unhappy. Allow yourself some time each week to unwind and, in the words of the late, great Glenn Frey, “take it easy.”

Classroom performance I, like many others, was able to get through my high school and undergrad years without always paying close attention in class and then cramming for exams. You won’t get away with that in grad school.

It’s all the more important that you not only show up to class every day, but also pay attention and take notes. That doesn’t mean your exams and projects will be easy, but you’ll make things much easier on yourself if you have your notes laid out when it comes time to study. Cramming just

provides added stress that you don’t need.

Handling stress I’ve mentioned stress a few times already, and that’s for good reason. There will be plenty of it to go around, and there really is no way to eliminate it.

We all handle stress differently, so there is no onesize-fits-all advice for this.

Your best bet is to find ways to reduce the amount of stress you’re under. Take notes, work ahead and find some activities to blow off steam. You can’t avoid it altogether, but you can manage it.

Grad school is a unique journey, and it’s a difficult one. In some cases, you may work harder than you ever have or ever will. But you get out of it what you put into it, and the ultimate reward makes it all worthwhile. Keep your eye on the prize and you’ll do just fine.

Federal education department creates new student aid enforcement office WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is taking new steps to protect students amid increased scrutiny of for-profit colleges and other schools.

The Education Department said Feb. 8 that it was creating a new student aid enforcement unit that will “respond more quickly and efficiently to allegations of illegal actions by higher education institutions.”

Critics have complained the government didn’t

move swifttheir time, Financial Aid ly enough money and to take aceffort to If you missed the infortion against gain new mation on funding options for-profit skills, they for graduate school, see schools like have a right page 3.

Corinthian to expect Colleges, they’ll actuwhich filed for bankruptcy ally get an education that protection last year amid leads to a better life for fraud allegations, closing them and their families,” schools and leaving thou- said Acting Secretary of sands of students with hefty Education John B. King Jr. student debt and frustrated “Schools looking to cheat efforts at earning degrees. students and taxpayers will “When Americans invest be held accountable.”

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The new unit, about 50 people to start, will investigate potential abuse and fraud and will be led by a former Federal Trade Commission enforcement attorney, Robert Kaye. It will pull staff from some existing department offices and add additional personnel. The realignment will use existing funding resources for now.

As part of his 2017 budget, President Barack Obama is requesting more than $13 million in ad-

ditional federal money to strengthen enforcement and oversight of the billions of dollars in student financial grants and loans that the government provides.

“We have been doing enforcement,” said Under Secretary Ted Mitchell, at a news conference. “I think that it is right to say that we believe that we can do our investigations and our enforcement faster and better with the segregation of this work from the normal

day-to-day program.”

In early February, for example, the department cut off federal loans and grants to a group of beauty and computer schools.

In the aftermath of the Corinthian collapse, the Education Department has been sorting through thousands of claims from Corinthian students seeking relief from their federal student loans, a bailout that could potentially cost up to $3.2 billion.

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Tech Personal Financial Planning offers leading program in country The New York Times states that Texas Tech has “arguably the best Personal Financial Planning program in the country.” Students come from across the nation and the world to study Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University.

Master’s Program Our graduate programs are designed for students from any undergraduate discipline. Students can tailor their graduate program by selecting from more than 30 PFP courses as Texas Tech has the largest selection of curriculum of any PFP program in the nation. Classes include Wealth Management, Risk and Insurance Planning, Charitable Giving, Behavioral Finance, Estate Planning, Retirement Plan-

Sponsored Content ning and more.

The PFP program is a CFP board-registered program and upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. In addition to the CFP Board-Registered Financial Planning courses, the department offers courses and the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in Charitable Financial Planning.

Ph.D. Program Texas Tech boasts the first and largest Ph.D. program in Personal Financial Planning in the United States.

The unique Ph.D. program provides applied training in financial planning and a rigorous academic curricu-

Students from across the country and world come to Texas Tech to study at what The New York Times called “arguably the best Personal Financial Planning program in the country.” Because of the quality education provided in the program, Tech PFP graduates are consistently in demand by employers and that demand should only continue to grow.

lum that allows students to prepare graduates for casuccessfully compete for aca- reers as effective university demic positions. The Ph.D. researchers and teachers. curriculum is designed to The doctoral curriculum

includes applied coursework in personal financial planning, as well as courses in investment theory, household

finance, economics, regulatory policy and research methods.

Our Ph.D. alumni have gone on to start or enhance programs at nationally recognized universities such as Texas A&M University, the University of Missouri, Kansas State University, the University of Georgia, Virginia Tech University and more. Demand for Texas Tech graduates has historically been strong and is expected to grow as more colleges and universities begin to offer majors and courses in Personal Financial Planning.

Our Faculty Texas Tech boasts the largest faculty dedicated to the instruction of financial planning in the nation. The See PFP, page 15

PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Earn your graduate degree from one of the top Personal Financial Planning programs in the nation! A degree in PFP compliments any undergraduate discipline. The department offers the following graduate degrees and certiicates:

MASTER’S DEGREES

MS in Personal Financial Planning | MS PFP/MBA with Rawls College of Business MS PFP/Law with Texas Tech School of Law | MS PFP/MS Accounting-Taxation with Rawls College of Business

DOCTORAL DEGREE Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning

GRADUATE CERTIFICATES Charitable Financial Planning Personal Financial Planning

www.pfp.ttu.edu | 806.742.5050 |

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Writing your personal statement — where to start?

Writing a personal statement can be a daunting task but it is a crucial part of most graduate school applications. Below are a few nuggets of advice provided by the Online Writing Lab, or OWL, at Purdue University.

The OWL website, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01, also offers examples of personal statements, advice from admissions officials and the Top 10 Rules and Pitfalls of personal statement writing, as well as numerous other resources that might be helpful.

Questions to ask yourself before you write

1 2

What is special, unique, distinctive and/or impressive about your life story?

What details (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) help set you apart from other applicants?

When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it that has reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field?

How have you learned about this field — through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?

If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example) and how has that work contributed to your growth?

Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your

3 4 5 6

GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?

What does your career plan look like? Where do you see this (or other degrees) taking you?

Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial or physical)?

What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?

What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?

Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school — and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?

What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

7 8 9

10 11 12

General advice for crafting your statement Answer the questions

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Be specific Don’t, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.

that are asked If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar. Don’t be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

Write well and correctly Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements.

Express yourself clearly and concisely.

Adhere to stated word limits.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader’s attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Don’t include some subjects

Tell what you know The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field.

Too many people graduate with little or no knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the profession or field they hope to enter. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you’ve read, seminars you’ve attended or any other source of specific information about the career you want and why you’re suited to it.

Since you will have to select what you include in your statement, the choices you make are often an indication of your judgment.

There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Don’t mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Do some research, if needed If a school wants to know why you’re applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs.

If the school setting would provide an important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.

Tell a story Find an angle Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively and different, you’ll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

If you’re like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle is vital.

Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Writing the Personal Statement, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01.

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Facilities, industry partners set Plant & Soil Science program apart The Department of Plant and Soil Science is a student-focused, researchintense, multidisciplinary department. Our comprehensive academic department offers coursework and academic programs in a broad array of the plant and soil sciences.

Plant and Soil Science faculty conduct research from the cellular level through whole plants to large-scale ecosystems and post-production, valueadded processes. We offer several graduate programs: • Master of Science in plant and soil science (available as an on-campus or online degree) • Master of Science in horticultural science (available as an on-campus or

Sponsored Content online degree) • Graduate certificates in fibers and biopolymers, horticultural landscape management, soil management and crop protection (available as on-campus or online programs) • Ph.D. in plant and soil science, with specializations in crop protection, crop science, fibers and biopolymers, horticulture and soil science.

We offer many opportunities for students to be involved in research projects and endeavors, with our three-year research expenditures exceeding $4.1 million. In the fall of 2015, the department opened a new research, office and teaching lab space to include 21,122

The Bayer Plant Science building features more than 21,000 square feet of research, teaching and office space. In addition to a wide array of master’s and doctoral programs, the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences partners with numerous leaders in all facets of the industry including Monsanto, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension and Chromatin. These partnerships allow students a broader range of research, internship and networking opportunities.

square feet for faculty and students.

Industry partners frequently collaborate on research and student advising with department faculty.

These industries include Bayer CropScience, Mon-

santo, Chromatin, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, Netafim and many more. These partnerships allow students to participate in research trials, internships, projects and conversations with top

industry professionals.

Graduate student research projects in the Department of Plant and Soil Science include cotton fiber properties, molecular genetics, plant stress responses, soil physics and chemistry,

We’ve got a good thing growin’ Grow your skills personally and professionally with a degree from the Department of Plant and Soil Science.

Degrees are designed to cover all areas of plant and soil science, providing students hands-on experience.

Scholarships and Financial Aid • master of science in plant and soil science* Available!

Graduate degrees include:

• master of science in horticulture science* • graduate certificates* in horticulture, crop science, soil science, and fibers and biopolymers.

• PhD in plant and soil science

*indicates degree can be completed on-campus or 100% online

Inquire and apply now for the next semester!

www.pssc.ttu.edu | (806) 742-2838 | prospectivestudent.pss@ttu.edu

viticulture, soil fertilization, entomology, native landscape plants, ecological modeling, plant cell wall biology, rare plant conservation, forage and pasture crops, and turf management and quality.

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FUNDING, from page 3 course work needed to begin a career in teaching. The TEACH Grant is different from other federal student grants in that it requires you to take certain kinds of classes to get the grant, and then to do a certain kind of job to keep the grant from turning into a loan.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program — The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. This program allows you to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study.

Federal Pell Grant — A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. You may be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if you are enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. Amounts can change yearly.

Not all schools participate in the federal student aid programs or offer all the types of aid described above. To learn more about the federal student aid programs, contact your school’s financial aid office and visit StudentAid. gov/types.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To qualify for federal student aid (grants, loans and work-study funds), you must meet certain requirements. Some of our general eligibility requirements are that you must demonstrate financial need (for most programs), be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, be enrolled or

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G raduate S chool G uide accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program, and more.

Make sure you’re familiar with our basic eligibility criteria, and, if you have any questions about whether or not you qualify, contact your school’s financial aid office. Learn more about the basic eligibility requirements for federal student aid at StudentAid. gov/eligibility.

How do I apply for aid?

To apply for federal student aid, you first need to complete the FAFSA. Many states and colleges use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

Don’t pay to complete your FAFSA. The FAFSA is a free application. Fill it out at www.fafsa.gov. Other sites may charge you.

What other types of financial aid can I receive?

Aid from other federal agencies To find out about funding from agencies other than ED, visit StudentAid. gov/types.

State aid Many states offer assistance for graduate or professional school. Find state grant agency contact information at www. ed.gov/sgt.

School aid Statistics show that schools may provide nearly as much student aid as the federal government does. To find out what aid your school offers, contact the financial aid office as well as a faculty member See Loans, page 14

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Texas A&M International offers 25 graduate degree programs designed to foster global understanding Fast Facts

Sponsored Content Overview Texas A&M International University is an international university poised at the gateway to México, serving as the cultural and intellectual hub of a vibrant multilingual, multicultural community.

A proud member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMIU provides 7,000 students a learning environment anchored by the highest quality programs built on a solid academic foundation in the arts and sciences. It offers 25 graduate degrees in business, education, health, humanities, physical, biological and social sciences, and a doctoral in International Business. Programs are framed by a progressive international agenda for global study and understanding.

Mission TAMIU trains and educates the next generation of researchers, scholars, teachers, professionals and nurses. Small classes encourage faculty/student interaction, providing professional and personal mentoring.

Online graduate programs include Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration (English and Spanish), Curriculum and Instruction, and Bilingual Education. A collaborative doctoral program in Hispanic Studies is also available.

Assistance The Office of Graduate Studies coordinates assistantships for part-time work up to $15,000 per year for master’s students and up to $18,000 for doctoral students.

Our Campus and Home The 300-acre campus on

• Member of the Texas A&M University System • More than 25 graduate degrees available, including online • Assistantships available for master’s/doctoral students • International focus and setting Texas A&M International University, located in Laredo, Texas, offers wide- est-growing, diverse comranging fields of study to its 7,000 students. Faculty within each program munities. A tropical climate strive to create an environment shaped by a progressive agenda for global affords a pleasant lifestyle. understanding.

For more, call the Of-

former ranchland represents a $200 million-plus investment. Laredo is 156 miles south of San Antonio, 158 miles west of Corpus Christi

and 153 miles north of Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.

A downtown revitalization project is underway in Laredo, one of the nation’s fast-

fice of Graduate Studies, 956.326.3020, email graduateschool@tamiu.edu or click on www.tamiu.edu/ gradschool.

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G raduate S chool G uide LOANS, from page 13 in your area of study.

Where else should I look for funding?

Check out the following sources for additional funding: • The Internet (there is a free scholarship search from the U.S. Department of Labor at www.careerinfonet. org/scholarshipsearch) • The reference section of your school or public library • Foundations, organizations (e.g., religious, community, professional, ethnicity-based), local businesses and civic groups • Your employer • Your state vocational rehabilitation agency, if appropriate (a list of state agencies is at www.ed.gov/svr and at www.disability.gov).

Key points to consider when taking out a student loan • Finance your education with free money first (scholarships and grants), then earned money (work-study) and, finally, borrowed money (federal student loans). You don’t have to repay scholarships, grants, or work-study funds. When accepting the aid offered by your school, keep in mind that you don’t have to accept the full loan

amount offered. You may request and borrow a lower amount. (Don’t forget to research potential tax benefits of higher education at the Internal Revenue Service’s website at www.irs.gov.)

• What is the source of the loan? Is it a federal loan or a private student loan?

Student loans can come from the federal government

o r from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans at StudentAid.gov /federal-vsprivate.

• What are the terms and conditions of the loan?

It’s important to understand what you’re signing up for.

Understand the terms of your loan and keep copies of your loan documents. The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is the legal document you must sign to receive a federal student loan. When you sign your promissory

note, you are agreeing to repay the loan according to the terms of the note even if you don’t complete your education, can’t get a job after you complete the program, or you don’t like the education you received.

• How will the amount you borrow in student loans affect your future finances, and how much can you afford to repay? Your student loan payments should be only a small percentage of your salary after you graduate, so it’s important not to borrow more than you need for your school-related expenses. Plan and budget for now and for the future. And learn about Income-Based Repayment and other student loan repayment plans at StudentAid.gov/repay-loans /understand/plans. Use the financial aid awarenesscounseling tool at StudentLoans.gov.

• Have you heard about Public Service Loan Forgiveness? Under PSLF, you may be eligible to have some portion of your loans forgiven if you work in public service.

Learn about our loan forgiveness programs at StudentAid.gov/publicservice.

Reprinted courtesy of U.S. Department of Education

Bad reasons to choose grad school While there are many good reasons to go to graduate school, there are also plenty of bad reasons to choose continuing your education.

• Avoiding personal/family/financial obligations — Grad school is more likely to exacerbate already existing problems rather than solve them.

• Avoiding or postponing your job hunt — That job hunt will still loom post-graduation.

• Dissatisfaction with current employment — This might actually be a valid reason to choose grad school as long as you’re prepared for the costs, workload and stress that come with it.

Source: www.idealist.org/info/GradEducation/BadReasons

• Not knowing what to do with your life — For you to get the most out of grad school, you’ll need to know what you want to do before you go.

• Curiosity about a subject — There are many ways to delve into a subject without committing the time and money required for graduate school.

• Desire to live in a new place — Again, there are many ways to explore this desire. Choosing a graduate school just to move to a new location may mean taking on more stress and debt than is necessary.

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PFP, from page 10 15 faculty members in the Department of Personal Financial Planning are considered leaders in the financial planning industry. Of those faculty members, 10 hold Ph.D.s, three have J.D.s, 11 are CFP® professionals, one is a CPA, two hold ChFC designations and one is a CLU. Six of these faculty have significant professional practice experience.

In addition to being excellent teachers, most are actively involved in conducting and disseminating applied

research with the goal of building the body of personal financial planning knowledge.

Faculty have won numerous awards from both the academic and the professional financial planning community, including being named to the InvestmentNews “Women to Watch” list, IA’s “2015 IA 35 for 35” list that recognizes the 35 most influential people in the financial services industry over the last 35 years (The list includes Ben Bernake, Warren Buffett, Chuck Schwab and two Texas Tech PFP faculty members.). The PFP

AG ED, from page 7 tion courses along with an emphasis in designing educational/training programs, professional presentation enhancement, leadership development, teaching/training methods and interpersonal communication. This degree is offered in residence and at a distance and has thesis or non-thesis options.

The Master of Science in Agricultural Communications is designed to prepare graduates for entry into or advancement in a variety of mass media, marketing and public relations positions. This program also provides development of professional communications skills for related careers in agribusiness, government service, education and extension. Specialization areas such as marketing, mass media and public relations are also available through

While pursuing a degree through the Professional Science Master’s Program, students are encouraged to engage with centers and institutes relevant to their interests.

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G raduate S chool G uide faculty members are also regular contributors to national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN Money and more.

The Department of Personal Financial Planning sets the standard for teaching, research and outreach for both Personal Finance and Personal Financial Planning.

We strive to improve financial literacy and behavior for all Texas Tech students while educating the next generation of personal financial advisers.

cooperation with the College of Media and Communication. This degree is offered as a resident degree and as a distance degree with subtle difference between the two delivery options.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Communications and Education is a resident degree designed to prepare students for future careers as faculty members. The program provides an opportunity for advance study in the human dimensions of agriculture (agricultural communications, agricultural education and agricultural leadership) to meet the growing demand for college and university faculty who can provide instruction in more than one dimension.

For more information, visit our departmental website at www.depts.ttu. edu/aged.

RICE, from page 3 ter’s program begins with two semesters of coursework at Rice followed by a three to six-month internship. In addition to technical courses, students will take management courses, science policy, entrepreneurship and ethics. Many opportunities are provided to allow students to network with representatives from industry.

No thesis is required; however, students present their internship projects or research in both oral and written forms to a mixed audience as part of the Pro-

fessional Master’s Seminar series. The program’s professional communication faculty provides guidance to the students to produce their best oral and written reports inside and outside the classroom.

Students are encouraged to engage in leadership roles, pursue entrepreneurial interests and engage in a variety of ways with Rice centers and institutes relevant to their degrees and their interests.

For more detailed information, please visit www. profms.rice.edu.

The faculty and staff of the Texas Tech College of Education are always ready to help graduate students balance their lives and studies and to find the best ways to succeed.

EDUCATION, from page 16 Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership Educational Psychology & Leadership is a diverse group of academic programs that equips students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development and educational foundations.

The disciplines of counseling and school psychology are housed within the EP&L department as are programs to prepare future college administrators, primary and secondary school and district leaders, as well as practical and academic educational psychologists.

Department of Curriculum & Instruction Advanced degrees in the area of Curriculum and Instruction prepare curriculum leaders, researchers and professors LAW SCHOOL, from page 5 sity of Texas School of Law, said “nobody knows” why bar-exam scores are down.

UT grads notched the highest passing rate, 88 percent, of any Texas law school class on last summer’s exams.

Making admissions even more selective is one way that law schools might work to reverse declining scores on bar exams, said Jerome

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with the knowledge and skills needed to analyze, construct and evaluate curricula in ways that create optimal learning conditions for all learners.

Graduate Certificates & Certification Preparation Programs Within the Graduate Division of the College of Education, we offer two types of non-degree programs.

Professional certification preparation, necessary to be licensed and/or practice at an advanced level in your chosen career, is available.

We also offer Graduate Certificates, which provide an additional credential in your field of study but do not necessarily lead to licensure. In addition, Graduate Certificates can be used as an introduction to your chosen master’s degree program.

GSBS, from page 4 Each year, students organize the annual Student Research Week, now in its 28th year. The upcoming event, set for March 8-11, will focus on the theme of Molecular Basis of Life + Disease. The week consists of a poster competition for students (including undergraduates), keynote addresses, student presentations, a vendor show and a fundraising banquet. In addition to providing an opportunity for students to present and explore new research, the observance also fosters interactions between students and faculty. SRW is one of the largest events at TTUHSC, including more than 300 participants.

More information about the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is available at www.ttuhsc.edu/ gsbs, via email at graduate. school@ttuhsc.edu or call 806-743-2556.

Organ, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Other steps, he wrote in an email, are improving academic support for students and doing a better job of preparing students for the exam.

Sheppard said his school is following some of those strategies.

Just 62 percent of 163 St. Mary’s grads passed the

July 2015 Texas bar exam.

An even smaller portion — or fewer than half — of its graduates taking the test an extra time passed.

Even so, Sheppard said he’ll continue to review the applications of hopeful law students on a case by case basis, looking beyond test scores.

“Do we take a few students each year who are gambles?

You bet we do,” he said.

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Wide degree of programs available through College of Education Texas Tech University’s College of Education offers more than 16 graduatelevel degrees, 10 graduate certificates and numerous specializations to take your career to the next level.

The College of Education at Texas Tech University is changing the way our future educators influence tomorrow’s leaders with our innovative graduate programs. Working directly with school district partners, community agencies and other institutions of education in our region, state and nation, we prepare our graduates for the unique educational demands of the 21st century.

As schools seek to im-

prove the quality of education that they provide, highly qualified teachers, such as those with master’s or doctoral degrees, are in great demand. Obtaining a graduate degree can lead to higher pay and a better chance at promotions. New teachers who hold a master’s degree typically start out on a higher pay scale than teachers who only hold a bachelor’s degree.

Positions outside of the traditional classroom, such as lead teachers, teacher coaches, instructional specialists and administrative positions often require a master’s degree. Teachers who hold master’s degrees also may take their careers outside of the classroom

Sponsored Content to design curriculum, conduct educational research or become consultants in a private sector.

A graduate degree from the College of Education can take you far beyond the walls of a classroom by preparing you to become a principal, superintendent, school counselor, school psychologist, special education leader and so much more.

With a mix of face-toface, online and blended delivery programs, our goal is to offer students an outstanding graduate education from anywhere in the world, producing the measurably best professionals in all fields of

Professors in the College of Education’s graduate programs strive to create innovative classroom content to help shape the future of education throughout the country. In addition to several master’s and doctoral programs, the college also offers non-degree certification programs.

educational study. Flex- vidual needs allow stuible schedules and degree dents to complete graduate plans tailored to fit indi- degrees while still practic-

ing their skills inside the classroom as educators.

See EDUCATION, page 15