If you need to work while in grad school — particularly while
you're in the coursework stage — find out how much flexibility
the program affords. Is part-time study even an option?
Carrying two classes per semester instead of four can make
balancing work and study possible. However, part-time programs
can take quite a long time to complete. Some people find this
discouraging.
Ask Questions
Find out how a program accommodates part-timers. Appropriate
questions include:
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Are there night/weekend classes? |
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Is the library open at night and on
weekends? |
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What about the campus computer center? The
lab? |
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What sort of financial aid, if any, is
available for part-timers?
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Most important, question students who are currently in the
program, especially those who work. Also approach professors.
Some can be intolerant of working students' limited study time
and work obligations — especially when that means missing
class.
Research The Program
Ask a few critical questions about a part-time program's
curriculum and standards.
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Are the course offerings the same as in the
full-time program? |
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Do the same faculty members teach as in the
full-time program? |
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Do part-time students get the same priority
as those in the full-time program when registering for
courses? Often full-timers have an earlier registration,
meaning some courses could be filled before you get a
chance. |
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Are the admissions standards for both the
same? If the part-time program has different admissions or
faculty standards, investigate the program more carefully. It
may not be up to the standards of the full-time
version.
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Some Questions to Ask of
Yourself
Does the prestige of a program matter
to you?
If so, find out if a school's part-time program carries the same
cachet as the full-time version.
Are you hoping to use your grad
degree as a stepping-stone for career advancement?
If so, see what sort of career services are available for
part-timers.
In summary, if you're attending a part-time degree solely
because you love learning, prestige and job-hunting assistance
may not matter to you.
However, if a part-time grad degree is meant to enhance your
career, view your enrollment in a program just as you'd regard
any big-ticket investment.