Graduate and professional school

The UW Libraries have put together a comprehensive prospective graduate student resource guide.

Current graduate students

If you are a current graduate student, Careers Services has created specific professional resources just for you. These include Resume/CV, LinkedIn, Networking, Interviewing, Professional Portfolios, and more! Make an appointment and/or attend our events.

Prospective graduate students

If you are considering graduate or professional school, Career Services has compiled information on this site to help you tackle what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. Read through the information below to get started, and take a look at how to prepare your application materials. If you need more direct guidance, make an appointment with the Career Services’ Alumni & Graduate Career Coach.

What is graduate school?

Graduate school is an opportunity to advance beyond your Bachelor’s degree over the course of 1-4 years. While undergraduate education allows you to absorb depth of knowledge in a wide range of topics, graduate programs are designed for students to focus on a specific field. Once graduate school is complete, students often pursue a career in their specialized area or continue on to a PhD program. If you want to deepen your knowledge in a particular area/topic, but don’t want to invest in a multi-year graduate program, a certificate program may be a more appropriate (and cost-effective) option to explore.

Interested in continuing your education through a graduate program?

If you are seriously considering applying for a graduate program, begin by speaking with department faculty in the appropriate field of study:

Researching graduate programs

Create a list of qualities that you want in a graduate program and then prioritize that list by determining what you most value in higher education. Use this Graduate School Comparison Chart to help guide your research. Items to consider might include:

Accreditation/Approved programs
Potential advisers/Mentorship
Research opportunities/interests
Program schedule (day/evening classes, full-time/part-time). For example, UW Professional & Continuing Education offers both certificate and master’s programs in timeslots convenient for working students.
Cost of attendance (including tuition and living expenses)
Location in relation to family/friends/networks
Transportation options
Type of degree offered (MA, MS, M.Ed., MBA, MN, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, PsyD etc.)
Field work and/or practical experience
Time commitment to earn the degree (most Master’s programs require 1 – 2 years)
GradSchools.com – Worldwide focused
Petersons – US focused
Grad Source – US and Canada focused

Professional and technical graduate programs

Many professions require intensive study above and beyond the length of time it takes to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Admittance to professional and technical graduate programs is highly competitive, but applicants are sought from all fields of study in order to represent a diverse range of expertise within the academic community. Some examples include:

Business
Law
Social Work

Health-related fields

Visit EduMed to determine if a career in Health is right for you and learn about the steps to get there. Visit UWB’s Pre-Health Advising site to learn more about how you can Explore, Prepare, and Apply to professional health preparation graduate programs.

After you prioritize your list, search for University programs that match your criteria. Seek advice from your current professors, web resources, WOIS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and professional associations to find potential schools and programs. Read recent journal articles in your field, join a professional organization, and attend Graduate School Fairs to collect further information. Contact the program adviser to discuss your questions and visit the campus and talk to students currently in the program.

Begin your research by browsing the graduate programs offered here at UW Bothell.