TEM #027: How to choose the best graduate program type for you.

January 26, 2024

By the time you read this you’ll have already sailed into the weekend ⛵

I’ve had an exceptionally fun week making unexpected new connections. From someone considering a PhD because they miss the thrill of classroom discussions to another who’s gotten as far as the application page then emotionally shut down (… 10 years in a row).

If you fall in the latter category or somewhere in between, today we’re going to cover the basics of graduate program types before you decide to apply.

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• How to choose the best graduate program type for YOU 👯‍♂️ 💻

• Don’t die laughing

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Education affirmation.

“Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.” - Henry Ford

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How to choose the best graduate program type for YOU.

Last week we went over how to determine your priorities before researching programs. Here they are again:

Priorities: Cost - Time - Location - Program

Once you have your priorities in mind, it’s time to look for program types that meet your personal and professional needs.

Below are the most common types of graduate programs.

I’ll share a brief overview for why someone would be interested in each one - this will help you consider which options align most with your priorities and needs when going back to school.

• Program structure: Full time and part time (plus executive programs)

• Program format: In-person, hybrid and online

Program structure.

Full-time

Full-time programs are for people who have the time and financial stability to go all-in on a graduate program. These may be cohort-based, meaning you’ll have a set group of peers who will be in many of your classes where you’ll likely build strong relationships.

Traditional full-time programs have classes during the day, which can mean a change to your employment - i.e. quitting your job or working part-time instead.

Depending on the type of program (ex. business or education), there may be full-time options geared for working professionals where the classes are held after work hours.

(This is how my full-time doctorate program was set up, all of my classes were post-4:30pm because we all worked full-time).

Part-time

Part-time programs are a great option for professionals who want to continue working full-time, especially if their company or organization provides tuition benefits 😉

What you’ll likely find is that part-time programs are essentially an offshoot option from an existing full-time program. You may start classes with a cohort of peers, and will graduate slightly later due to taking fewer classes at a time.

There are also programs (often online) that are specifically built for the working professional to work on their degree at their own pace. This could look like taking one or two courses at a time, whether over a few condensed weeks or a typical 15-week semester.

Executive

Executive graduate programs are specifically for working professionals with substantial work experience. The majority of these are business-focused (example: executive MBA programs).

They can be full-time or part-time; some may even be a certification program versus a formal graduate degree like an MBA.

Program format.

In-person 👯‍♂️

An in-person graduate program is a great option if you:

• Want to build strong relationships with classmates and faculty (i.e. your network)

• Learn better in a physical classroom surrounded by peers engaging in discussion

Hybrid 👯‍♂️ 💻

A hybrid graduate program combines the best of in-person and online classes. A hybrid option is perfect if you prefer:

• Connecting with classmates in person.. occasionally

• Having the flexibility of some online classes.. because sweatpants

Online 💻

Online programs are best for the working professional who:

• Needs complete flexibility to take courses on their own schedule

• Has career goals that hinge more on having a graduate degree (ex. to move up in their current company) versus needing a new network or robust career services to get a new job or move into a new industry post-graduation

Once you have your priorities in order and have an idea of which program structures and formats will fit your needs, then it’s time to start researching programs.

One step at a time, you’ve got this.

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Fun fact.

Humans can die of laughter.

(I know, so morbid).

If it happens, though, it’s less laughing-yourself-to-death and more laughing until some existing issue is triggered.

The same goes for applying to graduate school.

Even if you think it’s going to kill you in the intensity of the moment, the chances are extremely slim and the application probably wasn’t going to be the true culprit.

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Thanks for being here, make it a fantastic weekend!

Dr. Jena

P.S. I actually cried laughing today (which spurred today’s fun fact) - I hope you have that euphoric feeling soon, too!

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