If graduate school is for you, consider the following prompts to help you research and decide on a program:
What is the program’s overall structure? Pay attention to prerequisite courses, the flexibility of the curriculum, and options regarding full-time and part-time status.
What are the program’s requirements for graduation? For master’s level programs, this may include a thesis or a practicum experience; for PhD programs, this will be a dissertation.
What theoretical approach, if any, dominates the program? Does it mesh with your perspective on the discipline?
What teaching methodology is typical of the program? Does this fit with your learning style?
What kind of work do graduates of the program do? What types of employment opportunities are common, and where are these opportunities located?
What percentage of graduates pass required professional exams (boards, bar exam, etc.) on the first try?
What are the admission requirements, and are you likely to meet them? For example, does the school advertise median GPA. or entrance exams scores?
How much will it cost to attend the program? You will need to factor in the costs of tuition, housing, books and fees, and consider the cost of living in the area. You should also seek information on the availability of financial aid and the average financial package received by students.
What is the social and cultural climate of the program and the school?
Where is the program located? Keep in mind that you will spend several years pursuing a graduate degree