Whether looking to advance your career and earning potential, further your knowledge and education, or pursue a new career path, you’ve likely considered enrolling in a master’s level degree program.
Graduate school is a great time to pursue all those goals, but it comes with unique challenges and requirements. Furthermore, many students experience anxiety about enrollment and getting into a great graduate program.
For this reason, many colleges and universities, like Goodwin University, offer various graduate degree programs and ensure that they streamline prospective students’ application and enrollment process.
This guide uncovers the many benefits of a master’s degree, the challenges adult students may face pursuing this level of education, and how to apply (and be accepted) into a master’s program that’s right for you.
Why Should I Earn My Master’s Degree?
The job market is highly competitive, meaning that more and more job candidates are looking to separate and give themselves an edge from other applicants.
One of the best reasons to earn an advanced degree is because it will make you more marketable to employers. They will see that you have advanced training, knowledge, and skills, and they will consider you as someone who goes above and beyond simple answers and is willing to tackle any problem that comes their way.
Apart from standing out, there are various benefits to obtaining a master’s degree.
- Expand your skill set: Master’s degrees allow students to further specialize in their field of study. Most graduate programs do not require general education courses, and instead, students take courses solely in their area to gain specific expertise and experience.
- Cohort connections and networking opportunities: Graduate programs are typically much smaller than undergraduate programs. This means you will spend the majority of your time with a small group of people from your first day of class to graduation, creating a cohesive bond. Students also gain perspectives and develop relationships with their fellow students inside and outside the classroom, which can assist with future networking opportunities.
- Career advancement and higher earning potential: By earning a master’s degree, students set themselves up to obtain higher-level positions and salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employees with master’s degrees earn a median weekly wage of $1,574 over the median weekly wage of $1,334 for employees with bachelor’s degrees.
- Personal fulfillment: Many students experience increased satisfaction and empowerment in their skills and abilities after graduating from a master’s-level program. This confidence permeates their life and career as they create a fulfilling personal and professional life.
Did you know that Goodwin University offers a variety of advanced degree programs? Discover why Goodwin is the best for for your future!
How Hard Is It to Get Into a Master’s Program?
Every college and university is unique; thus, the requirements to get into a master’s program will vary depending on the institution and the field or area of study you wish to pursue. After all, no two master’s programs are alike, and the difficulty of getting into one program over another varies considerably.
Candidates should know their personal and professional interests and goals to set themselves up for the utmost success during the application process. Additionally, they should lean on the support of friends and family when applying to graduate school and during their studies as well.
Consider your lifestyle needs and responsibilities to find a degree program that works for you. Many master’s programs offer evening, weekend, hybrid, or entirely online courses that will allow you to further your education and work full-time. Candidates can achieve their educational goals with enough dedication, concentration, devotion, passion, and a supportive university.
How To Get Into a Master’s Program
Several factors will affect a student’s acceptance into a master’s program. This can include a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA), their graduate record examination (GRE) or graduate management admission test (GMAT) score if needed, and even the number of students accepted into the program overall.
For this reason, students also look to elevate their applications with a strong resume and interview. Plus, with the rise of online degree program options, many master’s programs can accept more students making it, at times, easier for students to get into.
Goodwin University’s mission is to provide students with a flexible, career-focused, master’s level education in a supportive and nurturing environment. We also ensure students can earn their master’s degrees when and where it’s most convenient with our flexible online and hybrid classes.
We make our admission and enrollment process as accessible as possible by not requiring graduate record examinations (GREs), offering low tuition, and many financial aid opportunities.
General admission requirements for graduate students at Goodwin University include:
- Completed graduate application for admission
- $50 non-refundable application fee (waived for Goodwin University graduates)
- Professional resume
- Proof of immunizations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella)
- Official transcript verifying receipt of bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. (Applicants with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA may be considered under certain circumstances)
Applying to graduate school can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. Our faculty and staff will ensure that you get through the application process, through your master’s degree, and into a great career.
Learn more about our flexible and affordable master’s degree programs, or contact us to get started. Let’s crush your goals together!