So you are thinking about graduate study. Perhaps you are a working professional looking to develop new skills for career advancement? Or maybe you are finishing your bachelor's degree and searching for continued specialization in your area of interest. Perhaps you are considering a Ph.D. program for exposure to high-level research or a career in academia? In either case, we are happy to answer your questions.

How is graduate education different from undergraduate education?

A graduate program involves specialized knowledge and concentrated study in one area. Undergraduate study, while requiring you to select a major, primarily aims to introduce you to a broad range of subjects and to engage you in general intellectual skills-thinking critically, writing clearly, and arguing persuasively.

Graduate programs take higher education a step further by narrowing the academic focus to a specific area of interest. Students acquire the specialized skills necessary to practice a profession or perform advanced research. Graduate programs include more than just extra courses-they require active participation in research, projects and presentations. A graduate education will allow you to:

• Contribute new discoveries to your field of study through concentrated research;
• Gain knowledge on the most up-to-date information in your field including best practices and case studies;
• Focus on a particular knowledge area to gain professional expertise;
• Apply classroom theory to real-world problems;
• Gain professional experience through internship opportunities with the Office of Career Services;
• Network with fellow classmates and faculty mentors to form lifelong business relationships.

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