Graduate School Guide 2017 by UH Center for Student Media

E S T C A HOOL U D A R G Guide

2 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03

Alumna to lead Spanish creative writing doctorate

Why you should go to graduate school

UH College of Pharmacy

University of Houston-Downtown

Texas A&M University

Baylor's Garland School of Social Work

UH College of Pharmacy

Texas State University

University of Houston-Clear Lake

St. Mary's University

How to financially prepare for graduate school

Ten grad programs at UH to look out for

The Graduate School Guide

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 3

GRaduate School Guide campus

Alumna to lead groundbreaking Spanish creative writing doctorate

UH alumna and author Cristina Rivera Garza started the United States' first doctorate in Spanish creative writing. "I am excited," she said. "I think our new program is already a hit." | Andrea Fernandez Velazquez/The Cougar

Andrea Fernández Velázquez

staff writer @andfervel

UH will begin offering the first doctorate in Spanish with a Creative Writing concentration in the U.S. in Fall 2017. The program will offered by the Hispanic Studies Department within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. UH alumna Cristina Rivera Garza, an award-winning author, created and will lead the program. Rivera Garza has written six novels, three collections of short stories, five collections of poetry and three non-fiction books. “It seemed to me that the conditions were just right for a program like this, and I am very glad this is happening in a huge city, in a truly urban center such as Houston, with a very diverse population, where you could actually see, live, breathe in Spanish all over,” Rivera Garza said. “So this is the ideal place for a program like this.” The University already hosts Arte Público Press, the largest publisher of Hispanic authors in the nation, and one of the highest-ranked masters and doctoral programs for creative writing in English. Rivera Garza said these factors, in addition to a high number of bilingual faculty,

make UH the ideal place to start such a program.

Opening doors Rivera Garza said she planned this program for years, even during her time as the director of the Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at the University of California, San Diego. But it wasn’t until she opened the doors at UH in Fall 2016 that the idea became feasible. “There are not many Cristina Rivera Garzas, and the University was willing to invest to create a title for her because she is the first distinguished professor in the Hispanic Studies Department,” said Anadeli Bencomo, the associate dean of faculty and research for CLASS. The Hispanic Studies Department currently offers doctoral programs in Spanish with concentrations in Literature and Linguistics. The Creative Writing program is the newest concentration available in the program. “What Cristina and the department are looking ( for is) not to have a program that is just for the University,” said doctoral research assistant Francisco Estrada Medina. “She is very concerned of reaching out to the community, to the Spanish speak-

ing community in Houston.” There are three well-known MFA programs in Spanish creative writing in the United States, at University of Texas-El Paso, New York University and the University of Iowa. Rivera Garza said she wants to give writers from the United States, Latin America and Spain the opportunity to have the credentials to be academics and professors in universities around the world —something that is not possible without having a doctorate.

Community-focused program On July 4, 2016, Rivera Garza announced the new program via an article titled “Escritura Creativa” in Literal Magazine. She wrote that starting the program in today’s United States was, in effect, an esthetic, ethical and political position for a country where the violent rhetoric of then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had normalized discussion against immigration, especially Hispanic immigrants. “When she wrote that piece, announcing that she was going to create that program, we were inundated by calls, by emails,” Bencomo said. “People started saying ‘This

is genius, and nobody had thought about it before.’ UH was the first university willing to invest.” Bencomo said the program’s application rate increased by 300 percent compared to what is common for doctorate programs in Spanish. Applicants had to submit a sample of creative writing, a statement of purpose and a community essay. “Cristina is very concerned with the community,” Estrada Medina said. “She doesn’t believe in this kind of writer who is writing just by himself with no relationship to his community, and she is also very concerned with writers not being led by what we call inspiration.” Bencomo said Rivera Garza is the ideal professor to lead the program. “Cristina Rivera Garza is the type of writer who cannot be described by just one trait,” Bencomo said. “You cannot say she is a novelist, she is a poet, she is a professor, she is an intellectual. She is all of that and it is precisely that combination that make her right to be here at the powerhouse UH, because she is a power writer.” news@thedailycougar.com

4 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

Graduate school Guide

Grad school is not a requirement for some jobs, though it might boost your chances for a better position and higher salary. | BigStock

grad school

Why you should go to grad school Karin Keller

Assistant Cooglife Editor

The idea of pursuing higher education beyond an undergraduate degree can be daunting. For certain careers, more education is imperative. In other fields, graduate school is a choice, not a requirement. If you are planning to be a lawyer or doctor, pursuing a graduate degree is unavoidable. It is best to aim for programs that are located in the cities or states you plan to practice in. This excludes any schools in the Ivy League or nationally ranked such as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine or schools that offer rare and specific programs.

Why stay within your state? Many firms and practices hire from their alma mater. Moreover, it allows you to intern and have fellowships

with potential employers. Do research on where you want to practice given the specific field you wish to go into, what the average pay is, and if you like the cities. Then, narrow it down to the universities and programs that are most notable and the ones you feel best fit your interests. For those who do not plan on pursuing a career in law or medicine, higher education offers more options as to when, where and how you plan to study. There are obvious benefits to post-grad education, such as increased pay, potential career changes, specialized knowledge, travel, possibly free tuition and more. Even then, there are downsides — it is highly competitive, stressful, can put strains on your relationships, can be very expensive, and could take a number of years to complete. The great thing is you don’t have to decide today. A significant portion of

students in graduate programs have taken time between their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

“When looking into different programs, research is key. The trouble with the humanities is that it doesn't really matter Have a clear vision If you have decided you want where you study in terms of geography.” to go to graduate school, it is important to have a clear vision of what you want. Unlike an undergraduate degree, there is little to no room to change your area of study, and there is even less of a chance that the university has the specific program you would want to transfer into. It is crucial to have a good understanding of what you want out of your graduate degree, which is why many elect to spend time in the workforce before returning to acquire a master’s or doctoral degree.

Research is key

When looking into different programs, research is key. The trouble with the humanities is that it doesn’t really matter

where you study in terms of geography. For example, one of the best creative writing programs is in Ohio, not New York or California, though there are plenty of programs in those locales, too. It is crucial to look into the program that best suits your interests while also facilitating the most potential for personal and educational growth in your craft. Look into the specifics of the program, research the professors, find out how much it will cost and see if there are opportunities to go overseas, do research or get funding as a teaching assistant.

Explore methods to lift the financial burden

Many programs offer ways to lessen the financial burden through grants and research or assistant teaching positions. Find the programs that are specific to your goals to get the most out of your time there. While the benefits of postgrad education are clear, it’s not for everyone. Take the time to make a decision that will best compliment your career goals. If you, like many others, decide graduate school is for you, do the adequate research to find the program that will benefit you the most.

editor@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 5

The Graduate School Guide

GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE SPONSORED CONTENT

PHOP researchers generate real-world evidence It’s an understatement to say that creating an effective, efficient, and affordable healthcare system is a complex puzzle with multiple pieces – from patients and providers to payers, policymakers and pharmaceutical companies. Now more than ever, there is a demand for real-world outcomes evidence to create value proposition for stakeholders. Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy (PHOP) research comprises a multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation examines cost, access, and quality of pharmaceutical care from clinical, sociobehavioral, economic, organizational, and technological perspectives. Based in UH College of Pharmacy, the PHOP Ph.D. program offers structured learning and experiences in health-care systems, health-care quality, health

A member of UH College of Pharmacy's first team to win a prestigious international research competition, PHOP Ph.D. candidate Ruta Sawant has completed two internships within the pharmaceutical industry and authored or contributed several publications. | Courtesy of UH College of Pharmacy

behavior, biostatistics, multivariate analyses, research methods and design, pharmacoepidemiology, and

pharmacoeconomics. Current investigations by PHOP faculty and doctoral students include safety of

medications in pediatric and elderly populations; implications of healthcare policy and quality of care, comparative safety and effectiveness of cardiovascular and oncology therapies; prescription drug abuse and drug monitoring programs; behavioral interventions for improving medication adherence; and HIV/AIDS prevention and education, to name a few. Working under grantsupported research faculty, PHOP students authored or contributed to 50 peerreviewed journal articles in 2016. In May 2017, a team of PHOP students made history by being the first college to win consecutive titles in an international student research competition. PHOP graduates are in high demand by the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare consulting groups, pharmacy benefit

management companies, healthcare organizations, academia and government/ regulatory agencies. Some of the recent employers include Amgen, Evidera, Glaxo, Genentech, Humana and University of Texas Medical Branch. Welcoming its first students in 2009, the PHOP doctoral program boasts a 100 percent job placement rate for its 24 graduates. PHOP faculty and students soon will have access to stateof-the-art facilities, including a high-performance computing/ data server center dedicated to the department, with their move to the college’s newly constructed home in Health and Biomedical Sciences Building 2 in late 2017. For more information about the program, please visit www. uh.edu/pharmacy/prospectivestudents/graduate-programs/ phop or email phop@uh.edu.

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes & Policy Generating Real-world Evidence for Healthier Communities The rapidly changing landscape of health care needs outcomes researchers to help guide decisions and policies related to costs, access and quality of pharmaceutical care for improving the health of our communities. Typical annual starting salary for our graduates is $110,000-$130,000 Open to all bachelor’s degree majors, but preference given to health-related disciplines or pharmacy background GRE required Apply by January 10, 2018 Erin Ferries, Ph.D. (’15), Senior Research Scientist, Humana

Find out more at www.uh.edu/pharmacy/prospective-students/ graduate-programs/phop or email phop@uh.edu

• 100 percent placement of graduates in pharmaceutical industry, private-sector consulting, health systems and academia • Tuition support and generous stipends • Opportunities for scholarships and travel support to present research at national conferences

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

6 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

EARN YOUR MASTER’S DEGREE TO GAIN THE COMPETITIVE EDGE YOU NEED.

Marilyn Davies College of Business

One Main Building

UHD Northwest

Gain the skills you need to grow as a professional.

Real-world curriculum for career readiness.

Online classes offer greater flexibility for work-life balance.

The University of Houston-Downtown allows

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

you to design your future from an academic

Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS)

program that sparks your passion. With face-to-face, hybrid and online classes, unparalleled networking opportunities and

Master of Science in Data Analytics (MS) Master of Arts in Non-Profit Management (MA)

state-of-the-art facilities, UHD is the best

Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Composition (MA)

value for working professionals seeking an

Master of Security Management (MSM)

advanced degree in Houston.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Master of Arts in Technical Communication (MS)

Learn more at uhd.edu/masters

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 7

The Graduate School Guide

GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE SPONSORED CONTENT

Your career reimagined: UHD graduate degrees offer value and flexibility for working professionals

Courtesy of University of Houston-Downtown

While a bachelor’s degree alone may have sufficed in the past, more and more working professionals in Houston are realizing the tremendous value – and greatly enhanced earning potential – that a master’s degree can bring. The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) – conveniently located in the heart of the nation’s fourth largest city – provides busy professionals with the high-demand degrees, skills and leadership development that today’s industries require. But with Houston’s many options for graduate studies, what gives UHD – and you as a student – an edge?

High-Demand Skills Industry Requires At UHD, we realize that degrees and individual courses must align with industry needs for students to claim highly competitive positions following graduation. For this reason, UHD has reinvented the Master of Business Administration (MBA) through a “flipped,” discussion-based

classroom model, team teaching by faculty and industry-leading executives, and tuition that is far below other programs. And it’s attracting a lot of attention. This year, UHD’s MBA has again taken the No. 1 spot on the Houston Business Journal’s list of largest Houston-area MBA programs. By bringing real-world applications to course materials, applying case studies to today’s most pressing business issues and providing students with hands-on interactions with some of Houston’s top business executives, UHD MBA students can immediately transfer classroom knowledge to the boardroom. And upon graduation, students are prepared to transition seamlessly into advanced positions of leadership in their current companies or build their own businesses as entrepreneurs.

Tailored Certificates to Meet Individual Student Needs For students who are not ready to commit to a full MBA program, but would like

graduate-level training to improve their skills, UHD offers its newly launched Graduate Certificates in the College of Business. Those with an undergraduate degree can gain specialized training through eight corporate-designed, AACSB-accredited Certificates, including Accounting, Business Development/ Sales Management, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Investment Management, Leadership, and Supply Chain Management. These separate, free-standing Graduate Certificates – which align with UHD’s MBA concentrations – provide students with opportunities to take their careers to the next level with critical skills needed for business success. After earning a Certificate, students can enter the UHD MBA program – no GMAT required – with nearly half of all coursework already completed.

Training in Cutting-Edge Technology and Emerging Fields UHD recently launched its

new Master of Science in Data Analytics. With the emergence of Big Data and the need to manage vast quantities of information to find innovative solutions in fields from life sciences to oil and gas, today’s graduates need interdisciplinary skills in statistics, computer science and risk analysis to become tomorrow’s leaders. A master’s degree in data analytics is an excellent complement to a foundation in technology, science, engineering and other business arenas. Another high-demand field requiring the analysis of real-time data is security management. UHD’s Master of Security Management (MSM) equips students with the knowledge and skills to lead the continuously changing security and cybersecurity environments. Developed in collaboration with security management professionals, this online program follows a “Part-of-Term” schedule. Students can complete one course during the first half of the semester and a second course following the mid-term. The MSM is for individuals who have a vision of their future

in the security and cybersecurity industries and are able to demonstrate professional competency and commitment to their organizations and the community.

Affordable Cost and Flexible Schedules for Working Professionals UHD offers students these and other high-value master’s degrees in areas including technical communication, nonprofit management, criminal justice, rhetoric and composition, and teaching. Each of these programs offers an outstanding return on investment, with some of the lowest tuition rates in Houston. The University is routinely named as one of the best values in higher education in Texas, with tuition and fees ranking below the statewide average. With face-to-face, hybrid and online classes, UHD graduate programs cater to working professionals. Take the first step toward a more profitable and rewarding career. Visit www.uhd.edu/masters.

8 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

INSPIRE

CHANGE STRENGTHEN

DEMOC

FEARLE ON EV

FRON

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 9

The Graduate School Guide

College of Liberal Arts

| Texas A&M Univeristy

Texas A&M University/The Association of Former Students Merit Fellowship The Texas A&M University/The Association of Former Students Merit Fellowship in the College of Liberal Arts is intended to attract and support outstanding Ph.D. candidates to strengthen democracy through basic or applied research on the inequalities associated with one or more of the following thematic areas: • • • • • •

Civic Engagement and Government Creativity and Free Expression Gender, Ethnic, and Racial Justice Inclusive Economies Health and Wellbeing

CRACY

The fellowship package consists of •

Five years of guaranteed support to include: fellowship stipend, assistantship, as well as tuition and fees. Ph.D. Programs by Department • • • • •

Anthropology Communication Economics English Hispanic Studies

• • • • •

History Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology

For more information, contact LiberalArts-GPO@tamu.edu

ESS ERY

Top-TierUniversity University

nation’s premier research universities and is one of 60 elected national universities belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).

Top 50 Graduate Programs

U.S. News & World Report ranks Texas A&M University Liberal Arts graduate programs in #24 #17 #39 #25 #47

Political Science American Politics Economics Political Science Sociology

#42 #46

Economics

Sociology

10/19/16 4:02 PM

10 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

Graduate school Guide sponsored content

Baylor's Garland School of Social Work seeks to educate faith-based social workers

GSSW's overall mission is to prepare social workers in a Christian content for worldwide service and leadership. | Brentsalter/Wikimedia Commons

Social workers carry the sometimes weighty, but rewarding calling to impact lives and communities through compassion, sacrifice, and a deeprooted belief in justice. They see the value of individuals and are willing to serve and advocate for the voiceless and marginalized. The Garland School of Social Work (GSSW) in Houston, Texas is a place where social workers gain meaningful experience in a variety of settings within one of America’s fastest growing cities. The GSSW is situated on the South Main Baptist Church campus in downtown Houston––surrounded by numerous opportunities for social workers to make an impact and be impacted themselves by the city’s rich diversity. The GSSW aims to help social work students develop their abilities to ethically integrate

faith and social work practice. The School also encourages and supports students in producing research that provides resources that can be used in social work practice to lead to greater wellbeing for individuals, families, and communities. The GSSW’s overall mission is to prepare social workers in a Christian content for worldwide service and leadership. The hope is to equip students for long careers in social work where they can step into organizations around the world and make a difference through their unique perspectives as social workers and people of faith. The priority deadline for financial aid is February 1, and the school operates on a rolling admission basis. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students who

submit their application and all supplementary materials before this deadline are: 1. Guaranteed a Graduate Assistantship; 2. Eligible to apply for higher paid Graduate Assistantships with faculty doing outstanding research and within other Social Work offices; 3. Eligible for additional financial aid opportunities. Financial Aid is awarded on a case-by-case basis in order to best assist individual situations. Students who have already completed a BSW are eligible for the selective Advanced Standing program where they can complete their MSWs in as little as 10 months. For more information, visit www. baylor.edu/social_work/, email swo@baylor.edu, or call (254) 7106411.

Faith. Compaaion. Service.

Visii us today!

The Graduate School Guide

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 11

GRaduate School Guide sponsored content

Be part of the solution in drug discovery, development in College of Pharmacy Thanks to advances in the biomedical and health sciences, most people are enjoying longer, healthier lives. However, there are many diseases – from Alzheimer’s and asthma to cancer and cardiovascular disease – that continue to take a heavy toll on the lifespans and quality of life of millions of Americans and people around the world. In the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPS) at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, students and faculty members are actively identifying new drug targets and therapeutic agents to treat many of the most deadly and debilitating diseases facing modern society. Areas of investigation and discovery in the college include identifying and developing

novel drug targets, therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems for cancer, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, asthma, chronic stress and anxiety, diabetes, alcoholism, and infections, as well as improving drug metabolism and reducing inflammation. Pharmacology includes cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal pharmacology, cellular and molecular pharmacology, and neuropharmacology. Pharmaceutics faculty and students work in areas of metabolism; drug and gene delivery systems; preclinical, clinical, population and physiological-based pharmacokinetics; drug stability; and bioavailability. Medicinal Chemistry projects include drug screen-

ing and design, synthesis of novel drugs, identification of drug targets and exploration of natural products. PPS faculty and students will move into their new home in Health & Biomedical Sciences Building 2 (HBSB2) following its completion of their laboratory spaces in late 2017. HBSB2 will provide state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment for faculty and students to conduct cutting-edge basic and bench-to-beside translational research, including high-throughput drug screening systems, 3-D molecular modeling, confocal imaging, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Students play a hands-on role in the labs of faculty members, many of whom have been awarded drug patents and National Institutes of Health

Luis Martinez, who recently graduated with his Pharmacology Ph.D., and faculty researcher MariVi Tejada-Simon view a tissue slide as part of their work to understand the roots of autism-related cognitive and learning disorders. | Courtesy of University of Houston College of Pharmacy

funding. For example, doctoral students were credited as first authors on more than 60 percent of the department’s publications in 2016-17, and several students received external awards to present their research at major conferences. Graduates of these Ph.D. programs typically work in academic or public/private

research institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, and governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/pharmacy/ prospective-students/graduate-programs or email copggrad@uh.edu.

About Our Doctoral Programs Ranked No. 26 nationally in Ph.D.s conferred — American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Pharmaceutics program ranked No. 16 nationally — National Research Council Careers in pharmaceutical industry, academia, and government Tuition support and generous stipends

Pharmacology

Opportunities for scholarships and travel support to present research at national conferences About Our College

Pharmaceutics

New state-of-the-art Health & Biomedical Sciences Building 2 opened in 2017 New college record of $9.3 Million in research funding in 2015-16 Ranked No. 26 in federal research funding among all colleges of pharmacy — American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Medicinal Chemistry

Apply by January 10, 2018 www.uh.edu/pharmacy/prospectivestudents/graduate-programs The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

12 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

Learn more. Be more. Graduate Education at Texas State University gradcollege.txstate.edu

exas State University is a doctoral-granting, Hispanic-serving institution in the burgeoning Austin – San Antonio corridor. With over 38,000 students, we have the largest campus in The Texas State University System and the fifth largest in the state. As an Emerging Research University, over 100 programs offer faculty and students the ability to discover, innovate and create. More than 4,000 graduate students are enrolled in graduate programs spanning the full range of academic disciplines. In addition to a robust course schedule for full-time graduate students, Texas State also caters to part-time students by offering many online degrees, hybrid (online and face-to-face) courses, and evening classes. To further

support our students, we also offer scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and many professional development opportunities. Our distinguished faculty, nationally and internationally recognized programs, and commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship create a nurturing and engaging environment for graduate study. Meet real-world demands with recently added degree programs rooted in practical application: • engineering • dementia and aging studies • sustainability • family nurse practitioner • respiratory care • computer science

Advance your career and the field itself with doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines: • criminal justice • developmental education • adult, professional, and community education • school improvement • geography • geographic education • geographic information science • aquatic resources • materials science, engineering, and commercialization • mathematics education • physical therapy • computer science Texas State’s students come from around the globe. Additionally, approximately 36 percent of our graduate students belong to ethnic or racial minority groups.

Hispanics are the largest group comprising 25 percent of the total graduate student enrollment. We are proud of our diversity and the resulting vibrancy and innovation in our research and scholarship. Texas State University’s main campus is located in San Marcos, a growing community of 60,000 people. Located in the Texas Hill Country, we enjoy a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the campus’ stately cypress and oak trees not only add to the charm of the university’s picturesque setting, but also provide a natural lab for biological and aquatic studies.

world-class education at a location more convenient for them. Programs offered at the Round Rock Campus: • professional counseling • computer science • software engineering • management of technical education • elementary education • educational leadership • business administration • public administration • family nurse practitioner • M.S.I.S. degree with a concentration in occupational, workforce, and leadership studies

At the Texas State Round Rock Campus, graduate students living in the area can receive the same

Designated a Doctoral University of Higher Research Activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Texas State’s 91 master’s and 13 doctoral programs afford students of exceptional academic ability many opportunities to continue their intellectual growth and achieve higher career goals through groundbreaking research and faculty support. Find out more: Graduate Information Sessions November 15, 2017, LBJ Student Center gradcollege.txstate.edu/events/info Ninth Annual International Research Conference for Graduate Students November 7–8, 2017, LBJ Student Center gradcollege.txstate.edu/events/conference Graduate and Professional School Fair February 12, 2018, LBJ Student Center gradcollege.txstate.edu/events/fair

Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus.Texas State University, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. This information is available in alternate format upon request from the Office of Disability Services. 18-094 10-17

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 13

The Graduate School Guide

GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE 713-743-5314

thedailycougar.com

editor@thedailycougar.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

St. Mary's University offers strong experience

Quality programs and personalized attention set St. Mary's graduate education program apart. | Zereshk/Wikimedia Commons

St. Mary’s University, In addition, St. Mary’s offers founded in 1852, is the first innovative programs such as institution of higher learna Master of Jurisprudence, ing in San Antonio and the ABET-accredited engineering oldest Catholic university programs, an MBA for Profesin Texas. It offers a strong sionals, and an educational educational experience with computer gaming graduate options to pursue graduate, program ranked among the top doctoral and law degrees. in the world by the Princeton Certificate programs for Review. Quality programs and today’s most in-demand career personalized attention are part fields include International of what sets a St. Mary’s graduRelations, Cybersecurity, ate education apart. 10-11039_Cougar News October_ad 2_PRINT.pdf 1 10/20/17 10:30 AM and Software Engineering.

CMY

Excellence in

GRADUATE STUDIES at St. Mary’s University

LIFT YOUR CAREER BY EXPLORING OUR 25 PLUS PROGRAMS. LEARN MORE stmarytx.edu/graduate The Catholic and Marianist University

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 15

The Graduate School Guide

GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE 713-743-5314

thedailycougar.com

editor@thedailycougar.com

GRAD SCHOOL

Money talks: How to finanically prepare for grad school — and be smart about it JULIE ARAICA

COOGLIFE EDITOR

The thought of paying for graduate school can be daunting for anyone, whether you’re still paying off your undergrad debt or you are working full-time in your profession of choice. But here are a few things you can do before grad school to relieve some of that financial stress.

Do a cost-benefit analysis When you’re trying to figure out which grad school is best for you, don’t immediately go for the cheapest option out there. Try doing a cost-benefit analysis of the programs you are interested in for a specific school. Start by looking at the average salaries of students who have graduated from that program and compare it to the cost of the program itself. Even if a school might be slightly more expensive, if it will lead to a higher income in the longrun, it’s a much better return on investment, or ROI. Also be sure to consider the cost of living in the areas where you’re thinking of going to graduate school. Try to compare the rent, transportation and food costs for each respective area and be sure to include it in your ROI calculation.

Think about how to finance school Make sure to do your research when it comes to federal loan options available for graduate school, since things work a little bit differently than when you were in undergrad. To start off, you don’t need your parents’ financial information when you fill out your FAFSA. There are also fewer grants and subsidized loans available for graduate students, but you will be able to take out more. You can also consider private loans if you are within good credit standing, but make sure to try finding the lowest interest rates possible. And don’t forget

to look into fellowship and scholarship opportunities.

Start living under your means If you want to avoid living like a student after you’re finished with school, start living like one before you even start. Create a budget for yourself and stick to it, and cut out expenses wherever you can. Eat out less, shop less and try to negotiate where you can with your bills. Stretching your money will make the transition to student so much easier.

Improve your credit score If you want to lower the interest rate on any private or governmental loans you take out, improving your credit is a must. Having a bad credit score won’t only affect you in the long-run though, it could also impact whether you’re approved for an apartment and affect your chances of getting into law school. Being debt free will also provide you with a financial safety net in case you need to use your credit card for unexpected medical complications or home or auto repairs.

With the rising costs of education, paying for graduate school can be a daunting task. | BigStock

BUY-Sell-TRADE

COSTUMES!

Save your money You’re probably not going to be able to save up enough to pay off your tuition, but saving your money is still important when it comes to paying off smaller expenses like bills and insurance. It can also be important to save up for an emergency fund or the initial deposit on a new apartment if you’re moving to a new city. Save up as much as you can before school through summer jobs or paid internships. editor@thedailycougar.com

** WE MOVED! ** STILL IN MON 2901 S. Shepherd Dr. • 713-52TROSE: 3-8701 BUFFALOEXCHANGE.COM •

16 | Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Graduate School Guide

Graduate school Guide 713-743-5314

thedailycougar.com

editor@thedailycougar.com

UH may consist mostly of undergraduates and Houston natives, but students from all over the world come to the school each year for the various grad programs offered. | File photo/The Cougar

Admissions

Ten grad programs at UH to look out for Emily BUrleson

editor in chief @Emilyrburleson

Many Coogs are born and raised in Houston before staying in town for a bachelor’s degree at UH, and when graduate school comes calling, they’re ready to get out to town. But UH is home to many topranked and well-respected graduate and professional programs, so if you’re thinking of applying to any, it might be worth sticking around the UH campus for a few more years. And for those hoping to remains Coogs in medical school: UH is planning to open its own, with a focus on training general practitioners for community health, by 2019.

Social Work According to the U.S. News & World Report, the Masters in Social Work program is one of UH’s highest-ranked graduate or professional programs. The program, founded in 1967 by the Texas State Legislature, is ranked No. 38 in the country. Notable faculty include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams, who teaches a course on global justice. Social justice is a major theme of the college, which this fall is hosting a community forum series titled “Social Justice Solutions.”

Creative Writing Dozens of not only published but award-winning novelists, poets and nonfiction writers have emerged

from the Master’s of Fine Arts and doctorate programs in Creative Writing, housed within the Department of English. Atlantic Magazine and Poets & Writers Magazine have both ranked UH’s doctorate in creative writing within the top 5 in the country in recent years. Some UH faculty have even graduated from the program. Kimberly Meyer, who teaches in the Honors College and her alma mater department, obtained her Ph.D. in creative writing from UH.

Optometry Only 23 accredited optometry schools exist in the United States, but UH still ranks among the best. The 4-year Doctor of Optometry program, established in 1952, houses an on-site surgical center unique among optometry programs. Before graduating from the professional program, each student encounters and helps to treat the eyes of 1,500 patients who pass through the University Eye Institute.

Pharmacy All of UH’s programs with links to medical industry offer unique residencies and connections, but students in the College of Pharmacy’s Doctorate of Pharmacy program have direct access to resources at the Texas Medical Center. According to the college’s website, students are “actively involved in the creation, evaluation and delivery

of complex pharmaceuticals,” not just sorting pills, during the 4-year program. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the program No. 44 in the nation.

Sales Excellence Institute, and his marketing textbook is the No. 1 best-selling professional marketing book in the world.

Speech-Language Pathology

Unlike other professional programs, in which UH hosts the only program in the city or even the state, law schools abound in the United States. UH’s Law Center ranks No. 50 out of the hundreds of accredited schools in the United States, according to the U.S. News & World Report. It’s also one of the cheapest law programs for its value, at under half of the cost of other top-ranked private colleges. For students with specific career goals in law, the Law Center offers a number of joint degrees. Combining a juris doctor with social work, business, art history, medical doctorate or public health is a speciality of the Law Center.

According to the U.S. News rankings, UH’s Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology is ranked No. 69 in the nation. During this two-three year graduate program, students obtain skills to identify, work with and treat communication disorders. 100 percent of speech-language pathology graduates since 2013 have passed the Praxis teaching exam. Students also work hands-on with patients at the University Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, where they treat people of all ages with speech and hearing problems.

Business The Bauer College of Business is great for undergraduate business majors, but the Master’s of Business Administration also ranks in the top 100 on the U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college offers a unique Global Energy Executive MBA that prepares students for the fast-paced world of Houston’s energy industry. Although he may not teach MBA students, one star of the college is C.T. Bauer Professor of Marketing Michael Ahearne. He heads the

Law

Political Science The U.S. News college rankings place UH’s Master of Arts in Political Science at No. 68 in the country. One new feature makes UH a destination for scholars interested in American political science. The department started a new forum in 2015, the Tocqueville Forum on American Ideas and Institutions, which encourages discussion and research on “the challenges facing democratic constitutionalism today,” according the its website.

Engineering The Cullen College of Engineering ranks No. 73 overall for its graduate programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report college rankings. It’s one of UH’s earliest colleges, as the first engineering courses opened in 1941. Today, the college offers 14 different concentrations for graduate degrees. Two notable programs are unique to UH: the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture was the first of its kind when it opened in 1987 and works directly with the Johnson Space Center to “advance peaceful and beneficial uses of space and space technology on Earth and beyond,” according to the center’s website.

Earth Sciences UH’s department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences also made the U.S. News & World Report rankings. The Masters of Science in Geology, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences collectively ranked No. 64 in the rankings. Graduate students in the programs do field work all over the world, engaging in geologic research in areas like Greenland, Nepal, Turkey and Antarctica. Like many other top graduate programs at UH, earth science students can study energy at the Center for Petroleum Geochemistry, for example. editor@thedailycougar.com