Graduate Studies

Ready to Start Your Graduate School Search?

Start by exploring careers and determining whether graduate school is necessary for your career goals. Then research programs, compare costs and funding opportunities, and create a timeline for completing your applications.

Graduate School

Deciding whether to pursue graduate school is an important choice that can shape your academic and career path. Graduate education can build advanced knowledge and skills, prepare you for specialized careers, and open doors to professional opportunities that may require an advanced degree.

Career Services can help you explore whether graduate school is the right next step for you, identify programs that align with your goals, and connect you with resources to help you navigate the application process.

Why Consider Graduate School?

Students pursue graduate or professional degrees for many reasons. Graduate school may be a good option if you:

• Need an advanced degree to enter your desired career or profession.
• Want to develop specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular field.
• Are interested in research, teaching, or an academic career.
• Want to strengthen your qualifications and expand your career opportunities.
• Are preparing for a profession that requires specific graduate-level training or licensure.
• Enjoy learning and want to continue your education in a focused area of study.

Before deciding, consider your career goals and whether a graduate degree is necessary or beneficial for the career you want. Talk with faculty, professionals in your field, academic advisors, and Career Services to learn more about the education and experience typically expected in your desired career.

Finding the Right Graduate Program

Start your graduate school search early. Give yourself enough time to research programs, compare your options, prepare application materials, and meet application deadlines.

When researching programs, consider:

• Program and curriculum: Does the program offer the courses, concentrations, research opportunities, or experiences that match your interests?
• Career outcomes: What types of careers do graduates pursue? Does the program provide internships, clinical experiences, research opportunities, or other career preparation?
• Accreditation: Is the program appropriately accredited, particularly if your field requires licensure or certification?
• Location: Consider whether you prefer an in-person, online, or hybrid program and whether the location fits your personal and professional goals.
• Program length: How long will it take to complete the degree?
• Admissions requirements: Review prerequisite courses, GPA expectations, entrance exams, recommendation requirements, and application deadlines.
• Faculty and resources: Explore faculty expertise, research opportunities, facilities, student organizations, and other resources available to graduate students.
• Cost and financial support: Compare tuition, fees, living expenses, assistantships, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

Look beyond rankings when evaluating programs. The best program for you is one that aligns with your academic interests, career goals, financial situation, and personal priorities.

Resources for Finding Graduate Programs

There are many resources available to help you identify and compare graduate programs. Start by exploring professional associations and organizations in your field, as they often provide directories of accredited programs and information about careers and graduate education.

Other helpful resources include:

• Graduate school search databases: Search by field of study, location, degree type, and other criteria.
• Professional associations: Explore organizations related to your intended career or academic discipline.
• University websites: Review program requirements, faculty information, curriculum, application deadlines, and financial aid opportunities.
• Graduate school fairs and information sessions: Meet representatives from multiple programs and ask questions directly.
• Faculty and academic advisors: Faculty members can often recommend programs based on your academic and career interests.
• Current graduate students and alumni: Ask about their experiences with the program, application process, workload, and career preparation.
• Career Services: Meet with a career advisor to discuss your goals, research programs, and develop an application strategy.

As you research, create a spreadsheet or comparison chart to keep track of programs, application deadlines, requirements, costs, funding opportunities, and other important details.

Tip: When researching programs, use multiple sources. Rankings can help, but factors such as accreditation, curriculum, faculty expertise, career outcomes, cost, location, and funding opportunities are often more important when deciding whether a program is a good fit.

Understanding the Cost of Graduate School

Graduate school is a significant financial investment, so it is important to understand the total cost of attendance before applying. Tuition is only one part of the expense. Be sure to consider fees, books and supplies, housing, transportation, health insurance, and other living expenses.

When comparing programs, look at the estimated total cost rather than tuition alone. A program with higher tuition may offer substantial financial assistance, while another program with lower tuition may provide fewer funding opportunities.

Ask each program about:

• Tuition and fees
• Scholarships and grants
• Graduate assistantships
• Research or teaching assistantships
• Fellowships
• Tuition waivers or remission
• Work-study opportunities
• Paid internships or clinical opportunities
• Health insurance and other student benefits

If you are considering borrowing money for graduate school, carefully review your expected debt and potential career earnings. Understanding the financial commitment before enrolling can help you decide.

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

Do not assume that you will have to pay for graduate school entirely on your own. Many graduate programs and outside organizations offer funding opportunities for qualified students.

Look for:

• University scholarships and fellowships: Many institutions offer funding specifically for graduate students.
  • Find out more about the University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt2Pitt Scholarship
• Funding for Graduate Studies at the University of Pittsburgh
• Graduate assistantships: Teaching, research, or administrative positions may provide a stipend and, in some cases, tuition assistance.
• Professional organizations: Associations in your field may offer scholarships, fellowships, or grants.
• Foundations and nonprofit organizations: Some organizations provide funding based on academic achievement, career interests, community involvement, or other criteria.
• Employer assistance: If you plan to work while attending graduate school, check whether your employer offers tuition assistance.
• Government and institutional aid: Explore federal, state, and institutional financial aid options for which you may qualify.

Start searching for funding early. Some scholarships and fellowships have deadlines months before the graduate program application deadline.

Start Planning Early

Graduate school planning does not need to happen all at once. Begin by identifying your career goals and determining whether an advanced degree is necessary for your desired career. Then research programs, compare requirements and costs, and create a timeline to complete your applications.

Need help getting started? Career Services can help you explore options, research programs, develop a timeline, and prepare application materials.  Contact Shannon Ridenour to set up a time to talk! Smr114@pitt.edu.

Resources

Graduate Studies at Pitt About Page
Graduate Studies at Pitt Admissions Page
Graduate Studies at Pitt Funding Page

Find Graduate Programs

• Peterson’s Graduate School Search – Search for graduate programs by field, degree type, location, and other criteria.
• GradSchools.com – Search for graduate programs by subject, degree, and location.
• Professional Associations – Many professional organizations maintain lists of graduate programs and provide information about education and career requirements in their fields.
• Individual College and University Websites – Visit the graduate admissions and program pages for schools you are considering. Always use the institution’s website to confirm current requirements and deadlines.

Explore Careers Before Choosing a Program

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook — Explore occupations, typical education requirements, salaries, job outlook, and related careers.
• BLS Field of Degree — Explore career and employment information associated with different academic fields and majors.
• BLS Occupation Finder — Search and compare occupations based on education, projected growth, number of jobs, and median pay.

Financial Aid, Scholarships & Fellowships

• Federal Student Aid – Graduate Students — Information about federal financial aid and loans for graduate and professional students.
• ProFellow — Search for fellowships, scholarships, awards, and fully funded graduate programs. ProFellow currently maintains a database of graduate programs and funding opportunities.
• ProFellow Graduate School Resources — Graduate school funding opportunities, admissions guidance, and resources for applicants.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program — A major fellowship opportunity for eligible students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM fields. The program currently provides a five-year fellowship period with three years of financial support.
• NSF GRFP Applicant Resources — Application information, eligibility, personal statement guidance, research plan information, and other resources for NSF applicants.

Resources at Pitt-Bradford

• Career Services — Schedule an appointment for help researching graduate programs and preparing application materials.
• Academic Advising — Discuss degree requirements, prerequisites, and how graduate school fits into your academic plan.
• Faculty Advisors — Talk with faculty about programs, research opportunities, professional expectations, and potential schools.
• Financial Aid Office — Get information about financial aid, loans, and funding options.
• Graduate School Fair/Events   
   

Keep in Mind

Start early! Graduate school applications can take several months to prepare. Give yourself plenty of time to research programs, complete required exams, request recommendations, write application essays, and apply for scholarships and funding