What is Graduate School?
What is a Graduate Degree?
A graduate degree is a name for any advanced degree beyond a bachelor's, excluding a degree in Law or Medicine (these are called professional degrees). Graduate degrees at Mizzou fall into three categories - master's, doctoral and educational specialist. Mizzou also offers graduate certificates, which are not degrees. Graduate study differs from undergraduate study in a number of significant ways:
- Less general study, more focus on topics within the discipline
- More reading and writing - books, scholarly journals, papers and essays
- Independent research and creative projects
Average income by educational attainment
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Why should I go?
Graduate school isn't the right choice for everyone. The academic work required in graduate school can be demanding. But a graduate degree can boost your earning potential, the amount of freedom and autonomy you have in your job, and your rate of advancement. For many careers, a graduate degree is a necessity.