What Is Grad School? Masters vs PhD
Ready for round 2 of college—what is grad school?
For some students, finishing their undergraduate degree is only the beginning.
The next logical step for you might be graduate school. But what exactly is graduate school, and how do you know if it’s the right option for you and your academic or professional goals?
We’ve laid out the entire graduate school process to make your life easier (save the hard work for college).
Don’t let anything hold you back—get cracking on that master’s degree or PhD program!
And don’t forget to read through our college dorm room essentials guide to make sure you’re ready for college living.
Jump to:
- What is graduate school vs college?
- How long is grad school?
- How much does grad school cost?
- When to apply for grad school?
- Common Grad School Interview Questions
- Masters vs PhD
- Types of Master’s Degrees
- Types of Doctoral Degrees
- What is a graduate program?
- Writing a Grad School Statement of Purpose
What is graduate school vs college?
Graduate school is a degree program that will award you a higher education past your undergraduate degree. The two most common programs are a master’s and a PhD.
A master’s degree is a specific academic degree earned after your bachelor’s. It’s for individuals who are ready to demonstrate mastery of their specific field of study. You can go straight into a master’s program after earning your bachelor’s, but some students choose to take a few years off before returning to get their master’s.
A PhD is a doctoral degree for students after they have earned their master’s degree. It’s a globally recognized academic degree awarded to students who have submitted a thesis at the highest possible academic level. There is a lot of study and research involved in getting a PhD — it’s not for the faint of heart and requires a lot of dedication.
The curriculum is more rigorous than that of an undergraduate degree, as it is an advanced academic degree. You would normally pursue the degree in whatever your undergraduate degree was in, but there are certain exceptions to this.
College refers to undergraduate study and is the next step after graduating high school (if you wish to study further education).
| College | Graduate School |
|---|---|
| Studying undergraduate degree/bachelor’s degree | Studying master’s or PhD |
| Takes 3-4 years | Can take anywhere between 1-6 years |
| Coursework focused | Research focused |
| Broad learnings | More in-depth learning |
You should also read up on public vs private colleges to see what’s right for you.
How long is grad school?
The timeline for grad school varies by program. A typical graduate program can last anywhere between one and six years.
An average master’s length is about 30 to 60 credits, which is why it takes about two years, on average. The length of the program also depends on if you’re a full-time or part-time student. Obviously, you’ll get done faster as a full-time student, but you can potentially work to help the cost of a master’s if you work and only enroll part-time.
Some schools allow undergraduates to enroll in a five-year master’s program in order to accelerate the timeline upon receiving a graduate degree. For others, you’ll have to reapply and start at the beginning of the program in order to earn your degree.
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How much does grad school cost?
How much Grad school costs varies widely between schools and programs. But, on average, grad school costs around $42,270 per year—inclusive of housing and course materials.
The average cost of grad school tuition is roughly $21,700 per year. The most expensive programs being more than $60,000 per year. It all depends on the school, field of study, and length of the program. For example, some of the best universities in New York will be more expensive than in-state tuition.
There is, however, financial aid available for graduate students, too. There are scholarships, loans, and federal aid available. But remember, some master’s programs are fully funded! Obviously, these programs are highly competitive and usually only accept a handful of students every year.
When to apply for grad school?
Most grad school application deadlines are December-January.
You should generally apply to graduate school about one year before you plan to start. Below is a rough timeline of what you can do in the lead-up to grad school.
Typical Grad School Application Timeline
Spring-Summer (1.5 years before start date)
- Research programs and faculty
- Prepare for standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, etc., if required)
- Start networking with potential advisors
Late Summer-Early Fall (1 year before start date)
- Take standardized tests (if needed)
- Finalize your list of schools
- Reach out for letters of recommendation
- Begin drafting your statement of purpose
Fall-Early Winter (Sept-Dec, 1 year before start date)
- Most application deadlines are December-January
- Submit applications before deadlines
Spring (6 months before start date)
- Receive acceptance letters (March-April)
- Visit schools if possible
- Decide by April 15 (common decision deadline for funded programs)
Summer (Before Grad School Starts)
- Secure housing, funding, and finalize paperwork
Common Grad School Interview Questions
Graduate school interview questions can range from a variety of topics. A lot of them are questions you’ve likely been asked when interviewing for a job, or even if you had to interview for your undergraduate college.
Here are some common grad school interview questions you might be asked:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why did you choose to apply to our school/program?
- Why should we accept you?
- What will you contribute to our program?
- Why are you interested in this field of study?
- What are the major issues in the field?
- How have you prepared yourself for a career in this field?
- What are your career goals?
- What are your research interests?
- Tell me about a time when you failed.
- Describe your greatest accomplishment.
- Where else are you applying?
- What are your hobbies or interests?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Masters vs PhD
A master’s degree and PhD (Doctorate) are both paths of higher education after your undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree.
In most cases, you’ll need an undergrad before undertaking a master’s. You most likely will need a master’s degree before you do a PhD, but sometimes you can go straight from undergrad to PhD. PhDs are very tough, so having a master’s beforehand might help you feel more confident and prepared.
Master’s degrees will delve deeper into the field of study, giving you more specialized knowledge than an undergrad.
A PhD focuses mostly on extensive independent research on your subject/topic which leads to the creation of a Thesis. PhDs aim to train individuals how to teach yourself things to the point of figuring out what might be missing about the subject and/or discovering new areas of it.
Master’s degree: dives deeper into the subject.
PhD: you become the ‘scientist’ of the subject, a creator of new knowledge for the subject.
Types of Master’s Degrees
The type of master’s degree you attain is dependent on your field of study.
Below are some of the types of master’s degrees and some of the disciplines that come under each.
Master of Arts (MA)
Mostly arts and social sciences:
- Fine art
- Languages
- Communication
- Literature
- Creative writing
- Geography
- History
- Music
Master of Science (MS/Sc)
Science subjects:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Maths
- Computer Science
- Statistics
- Economics
- Health sciences
Master of Engineering (MEng)
- Electrical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Bioengineering
Master of Laws (LLM)
- Criminal law
- International law
- Family law
- Corporate law
Not sure what to choose? Check out our college major guide if you’re wondering ‘what should I major in?’.
Types of Doctoral Degrees
Like master’s and undergraduate degrees, there are lots of different types of doctoral degrees.
PhD (research-oriented)
- Doctor of Arts (D.A.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — focuses on theoretical development and exploration of a subject.
- Doctor of Business Management (PhD)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) — practitioner-focused
- Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) — theology of the church
- Doctor of Public Health (DPH)
Professional Doctorate (application-oriented)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
- Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf)
- Doctor of Finance (DPH)
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
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What is a graduate program?
A graduate program is an in-depth study and exploration of a specific field. These are pursued by post-secondary students who have already earned their bachelor’s or undergraduate degree equivalent.
Your graduate program is likely going to be in the field that your bachelor’s degree is in, but there are exceptions to this as well. Most programs will allow you to apply to a field outside of your degree as long as you meet certain academic requirements.
For example, you may have studied literature for your undergraduate and now want to delve into creative writing for your master’s degree.
Writing a Grad School Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose is a way to market yourself to your prospective graduate program. It’s an academic statement that is not a personal essay like you might have written for your bachelor’s.
Your statement requirements will likely fall into one of the following categories:
- General, comprehensive statement
- Allows the most freedom in terms of what your write about
- Often used for medical or law school applications
- Specific responses to questions
- Required to answer a specific question presented on the application
- Often used of business and all other graduate programs
Make sure to answer the questions that are asked of you. Really concentrate on your opening paragraph, find an angle, and be as specific as you can. You want to get to the point as soon as possible to keep your application panel engaged from the start.
Here are some tips to help you write a strong Statement of Purpose for graduate school:
- Start with a Hook: Open with an engaging introduction that reflects your passion for the field.
- Be Clear and Concise: Stick to the point and avoid unnecessary details. Aim for 1–2 pages.
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use specific examples to illustrate your experiences, skills, and achievements.
- Highlight Your Goals: Clearly state your academic and career aspirations and how this program fits in.
- Connect to the Program: Research the faculty, courses, and resources, and explain why this program is the right fit.
- Demonstrate Growth: Address challenges you’ve overcome and how they’ve shaped your academic journey.
- Use a Professional Tone: Be formal but personal, and avoid clichés and overly dramatic language.
- Proofread and Edit: Have others review your SOP to ensure clarity, grammar, and coherence.
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