Graduate Students

Earning a master’s degree allows you to gain a broader understanding of your field of study. You will not only receive education from a Research I institution, but you will learn from faculty who have industry experience. Having an advanced degree can also give you credibility as a professional and provide a salary premium to graduates. For some mid-level to senior career opportunities, having a graduate degree is a requirement for career advancement. Some of these opportunities are for directors, associate directors, team leaders, or even C-Suite positions. In addition, according to the Social Security Administration, Research Summaries (2020) those who have a master’s degree may experience an increase in lifetime earning potential between $1.1 million to $1.5 million compared to those who only have a bachelor’s degree.

A doctoral degree is an academic, research-based degree that can lead to developing research skills, which can enable a professional to create new educational material to share with others through dissertations, peer reviewed journals, and published educational material. Individuals who have a doctorate degree has impressive earning potential compared to other professionals without a doctorate degree by $3.3 million. In addition, those who have a doctoral degree may experience less unemployment than others.

Graduate Certificates are a great opportunity for professionals seeking to expand or gain an additional skill to transition into a new field or explore specific occupations. Graduate certificates can also help someone remain competitive and stay relevant in the workforce. Earning a graduate certificate over a master’s degree can save time and money. However, a master’s degree may lead to more career opportunities.