How To: Choose a Graduate Degree Program

In today’s competitive business world, career advancement often requires an advanced degree. Surprisingly, with thousands of degree programs available throughout the country, deciding which best meets your needs isn’t as daunting as it seems.

Selecting between each college’s program often comes down to what you are hoping to accomplish with your degree, says Tom Clevidence, director of the MBA and executive MBA programs at Baldwin-Wallace College. Are you seeking a graduate degree to get the required credentials to move ahead in your current job? Do you want to make a career change? Or are you simply looking for a broader perspective in a particular field of study? Will you have access to business leaders who can share their experiences and advance your career?

Someone interested in research and obtaining a research-oriented academic position may want to pursue a Ph.D. program. But someone looking to become a better business practitioner should focus on a business degree, such as an MBA.

In these programs, identification of leadership potential, as defined through assessment and course work, is a major focus. Often students work in groups to encourage leadership and promote a more challenging environment. They are able to test their leadership skills in a classroom, and ultimately use their newfound knowledge and skills in the workplace.

“Students should look for a rigorous program that develops them as leaders, promotes businesses as challenging and helps them develop a solid business ethic so they can make the right decisions,” Clevidence says.

Most MBA programs require some postundergraduate work experience. While two years is usually required, prospective students who have worked through college or have expertise in a specific area of concentration may enter programs with slightly less, Clevidence says.

The concept of collaborative learning, an environment that incorporates both in-classroom learning and workplace knowledge, is also important for those who want a business-focused program.

At Baldwin-Wallace, this plays an important part in the give-and-take in the classroom, not only from a student’s perspective but also from the professor’s since most of the faculty have impressive business backgrounds to go along with their academic credentials. Some also hold current leadership positions in the area.

Clevidence says faculty members who also have corporate experience can provide valuable insight to students because they learn not only theories, but also how to apply those theories in real-world situations.

Whatever degree program you choose, plan well in advance since that degree often comes with a significant price tag — a two-year Baldwin-Wallace MBA program costs more than $30,000. However, financial assistance through grants and loans are available. Many students can also receive assistance through their employers. Baldwin-Wallace, as well as many other colleges, routinely schedule financial aid consulting as part of the application process.

And don’t forget, the college you apply to also must chooseyou as a student. Many colleges require an admissions interview, along with recommendation letters, essays and an impressive GMAT score.

The bottom line? Baldwin-Wallace is like most colleges when it comes to accepting an MBA student, Clevidence says. “We are looking for students who want to have a great learning experience and who we believe can bring something impressive to our learning environment.”