Author Topic: Graduate Studies (Read 3087 times)

sk · « **on:** October 23, 2009, 02:49:15 AM »

I've been contemplating Graduate Studies after I receive a Bachelor's degree (B.A. in Film) next May. Since I've noticed quite a few users on these boards are in or have gone through various forms of Graduate Studies, I'd like to get a couple of answers and your opinions about Master's programs in general.

- What is the "real world" purpose for having a Master's Degree? Why should (or shouldn't) somebody get one?
- Is it a good idea for someone to head straight into Graduate Studies right after receiving their Bachelor's? Should a student take a break from coursework for a year or two before jumping into Graduate Studies? Should it happen later in life?
- How do Graduate Studies differ from Undergraduate Studies? (ie, Type of Coursework, Workload, Hours, Types of Classes, etc.)
- Should the Master's Degree be in the same field as the Bachelor's Degree? Is it a good idea for them to be from the same university, or should Graduate Studies happen at a university more specialized in the field?
- Any other thoughts/things I should know?

TechnoEthicist · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2009, 06:53:35 AM »

1. Depends on the profession. Most people told me the master's is the new bachelors , aka, everyone should have one within 5 years after graduating undergrad.

2. Again depends on the profession. What program would you go into?

3. Graduate School is way more independent. Classes once a week usually and more rigorous. Deeper level thinking. You are now a researcher. In my case, people with Bachelor's put the data into SPSS and analyze it, people with Master's design the study, and people with PHDs design the methods that both learn to use.

4. I was told never to be at the same university for all 3, so I didn't. Nor would I if Messiah would have a master's program or if I went to a state school for undergrad. Very pleased having 3 different experiences to draw from, but funding talks.

5. Grad classes are not cheap. Start looking how to get funded.

YourMathTeacher · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM »

1. You get paid more (teachers in Orlando make $3000 more per year with a Master's). More doors are opened (You can only teach at the college level if you have a Master's minimum).

2. If you can afford to go right into Grad school, then I would (especially with so few jobs out there anyway). If finance is a concern, then get a job first, since most Master's programs have flexible hours on nights and weekends.

3. Grad school is mostly research and writing. There isn't much the professors are going to "teach" you - they are facilitators.

4a. Having a variety of fields makes you more marketable, but showing dedication to a field may draw specific employer interest.

4b. At this point, any university will suffice as long as it is not exclusively online. Once again, though, there are certain employers that scour field-specific programs, so going to those programs may give you an edge.

5. Study for the GRE before you take it. Some universities offer scholarships based on your score. Go to Liberty University because it is really cool. Root for any team that plays the Yankees. Ride Thunder Mountain (in the Magic Kingdom) at night for a more exciting ride. Don't drive in the left lane unless you are passing someone. My wife is hot. Shake your chocolate milk before pouring it into a glass. Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father.

sk · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2009, 03:01:58 PM »

Ah, this is exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Thank you.

Quote from: TechnoEthicist on October 23, 2009, 06:53:35 AM

Most people told me the master's is the new bachelors , aka, everyone should have one within 5 years after graduating undergrad.

I'm hearing that same type of thing from various people as well. Good to note.

Quote from: TechnoEthicist on October 23, 2009, 06:53:35 AM

What program would you go into?

I'm tentatively thinking of continuing at CSULB for a MFA in Studio Art/Photography, though I'm trying to talk with the actual Graduate Studies people to see what all they expect. Since I want to stay in the L.A. area, the only well-developed, non-screenwriting, graduate programs in Film would be at UCLA (which has a <1% acceptance rate for Film students) and USC (which a Bruin fan could never attend, and whose program is ridiculously overhyped and expensive), going with photography seems to be the best option for me.

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM

If you can afford to go right into Grad school, then I would (especially with so few jobs out there anyway).

Good point. CSULB has some of the lowest tuition rates in the country, so finances won't be a concern if I stay here.

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM

Grad school is mostly research and writing. There isn't much the professors are going to "teach" you - they are facilitators.

Quote from: TechnoEthicist on October 23, 2009, 06:53:35 AM

Graduate School is way more independent. Classes once a week usually and more rigorous. Deeper level thinking. You are now a researcher. In my case, people with Bachelor's put the data into SPSS and analyze it, people with Master's design the study, and people with PHDs design the methods that both learn to use.

So, is it generally just one big, semester-long paper that you write for a class? Also, I'm used to big lecture halls with 100+ students while getting my B.A., are graduate classes more like small group discussions?

Quote

I was told never to be at the same university for all 3, so I didn't. Nor would I if Messiah would have a master's program or if I went to a state school for undergrad. Very pleased having 3 different experiences to draw from, but funding talks.

I'm mostly curious because most people's resumes seem to have each level of their education at a different university.

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM

Study for the GRE before you take it. Some universities offer scholarships based on your score.

I saw this test name pop up a few times... what is it? It is similar to the SAT (multiple choice/facts), or some kind of Writing Proficiency Exam?

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM

Root for any team that plays the Yankees.

Considering they just ruined our Freeway Series, I already do.

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM

Ride Thunder Mountain (in the Magic Kingdom) at night for a more exciting ride.

Considering the one in Anaheim was closed the last time I visited, I'm not sure it needs to get any more exciting.

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on October 23, 2009, 09:03:55 AM

Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father.

The psychoanalyzing Film student in me that's been trained to consider The Lion King a pro-KKK film would argue with that...

TimMierz · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2009, 03:14:19 PM »

I just took the GRE last weekend. It's very SAT-like. There are verbal, math, and writing sections. The verbal section includes analogies, fill-in-the-blank-bestly questions, and reading comprehension exercises. The first two sections test vocabulary out fairly extensively, while the reading comprehension stuff isn't too far from what I remember on the SAT. The math section had a lot of percentages, simple algebra, and some very basic logic. If you can do math at a 9th grade level, you shouldn't have much of an issue. The writing sections had two different parts, one 45-minute section where you are presented with a statement and have to write in support of or against it, and one 30-minute section where you are presented with a short argument (a couple sentences) and you have to agree with or refute it.

My test was taken on the computer, and you get your scores for the verbal and math section (since they're multiple choice) right after you're done. I haven't heard about the written section yet, since that (fortunately) requires human intervention.

YourMathTeacher · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2009, 07:00:37 PM »

Quote from: sk on October 23, 2009, 03:01:58 PM

So, is it generally just one big, semester-long paper that you write for a class?

For some classes that may be true, but generally there is more than one and there may be exams. Some classes are "project" oriented (aka portfolio).

Quote from: sk on October 23, 2009, 03:01:58 PM

Also, I'm used to big lecture halls with 100+ students while getting my B.A., are graduate classes more like small group discussions?

For the most part, yes - but the size of the school still matters. My graduate courses at the University of New Hampshire were 30, but my classes at the University of Virginia were closer to 50.

Quote from: sk on October 23, 2009, 03:01:58 PM

I'm mostly curious because most people's resumes seem to have each level of their education at a different university.

This is most likely due to convenience. I would think that many graduate students find a job first, then take classes at the nearest university.

Quote from: sk on October 23, 2009, 03:01:58 PM

I saw this test name pop up a few times... what is it? It is similar to the SAT (multiple choice/facts), or some kind of Writing Proficiency Exam?

GRE = Graduate Record Exam; It is the graduate-level equivalent of the SAT. Most universities (if not all) require these scores for admission. Tim already elaborated, but I would still review and take practice tests. As with most mathematics, practice makes better.

Quote from: sk on October 23, 2009, 03:01:58 PM

The psychoanalyzing Film student in me that's been trained to consider The Lion King a pro-KKK film would argue with that...

sk · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2009, 03:06:21 AM »

As I've been talking with some industry people and professors and family, I've been encouraged to apply for the MBA (Business) program. Not only would that be useful in just about any industry of work I might go into (if film doesn't work out), but I've always done well with college-level math. It seems like a solid choice.

A couple of new questions for those with Graduate degree knowledge/experience:
1. Did anyone on here get (or hopes to get) an MBA? (It seems like somebody on here mentioned it.) Any pointers?
2. Aside from mathematics, what other fields are common to encounter in a business degree?
3. I'm now supposed to take the GMAT. I've seen the site and understand what it is, so am I correct that this replaces the GRE? (On a side note, the campus bookstore happened to be clearing out 08/09 GMAT prep/study books for cheap this last week, so I got one to work through before taking the test. Seems pretty straightforward -- fractions always seem scary, but nothing looked too difficult.)
4. I've been doing 15-16 unit semesters in the bachelor's program. Is that practical in a master's program? What is "normal"? (My youth pastor said most people in his theology program did 9 units... is that true for other fields? That would mean more than 3 years... should I expect it to take that long if I'm a full-time student? What about with a part-time job?)

Thanks for the help, all. Aside from pastors and professors, I don't really know anyone (friends/family/etc) that has gone through a Grad program in the last couple decades, so the answers I get from ya'll are a big help. I'm a bit perplexed by the entire thing.

TechnoEthicist · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2009, 06:43:21 AM »

It "replaces" the GRE in certain fields, probably for the MBA, depends on the program...

Since the 2nd year of my masters had my thesis hours with it, I did 12 hours for fall quarter (9 hours of class, 3 of research), 14 for winter quarter (9 hours of class, 5 of research) and 13 for spring (9 hours of class, 4 of research). Of course that was on the quarter system. You do NOT want to take more than 3 classes in one semester....it's a HUGE undertaking...I'm still taking 9 hours of classes each semester for my PHD program...of course I do have a 20 hour assistantship and other work...

EmJayBee83 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2009, 08:31:13 AM »

Quote from: TechnoEthicist on December 03, 2009, 06:43:21 AM

You do NOT want to take more than 3 classes in one semester....it's a HUGE undertaking...I'm still taking 9 hours of classes each semester for my PHD program...of course I do have a 20 hour assistantship and other work...

And the amount of time you spend outside of class on homework/studying is significantly higher in graduate school compared to undergrad.

mjwolfe · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2009, 04:40:19 PM »

I took 12 - 16 hours per semester at Berkeley to finish my MS in Electrical Engineering in one year with my Master's "Thesis" completed over the summer following the end of classes. That was with full time being devoted to completing the program. It was a grueling year.

Mike

Cactus Game Design Message Boards

News:

Author Topic: Graduate Studies (Read 3087 times)

sk

Graduate Studies

TechnoEthicist

Re: Graduate Studies

YourMathTeacher

Re: Graduate Studies

sk

Re: Graduate Studies

TimMierz

Re: Graduate Studies

YourMathTeacher

Re: Graduate Studies

sk

Re: Graduate Studies

TechnoEthicist

Re: Graduate Studies

EmJayBee83

Re: Graduate Studies

mjwolfe

Re: Graduate Studies