Should I or Shouldn’t I? Things to Think About for Graduate School

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Posted on 14th July 2009 by Kelly Brinton Nelson in Guest Post |Professional Development |Tips and Tricks

This summer I embarked on one of the most challenging– and nerve wracking– journeys of my life: graduate school to pursue a masters degree in music education.  This post outlines some of the questions that I had previous to starting this program.

Why go to graduate school?

Teachers are expected to be constantly learning and growing.  While professional development and workshops are wonderful ways to add to knowledge, graduate school is a concentrated path of study in one topic.  Also, in many states, obtaining a graduate degree will increase the salary of a teacher.  Lastly, if career goals include teaching college later on down the road, this may require some form of graduate degree.

What are the differences between graduate and undergraduate study?

What I have noticed as a graduate student is that my professors have higher expectations of us graduate students than they have of undergraduate students.  They obviously expect maturity.  I remember the first few days of graduate school I would just try to crack jokes and stuff, and everyone would just look at me strangely.  Professors expect us students to have a certain amount of knowledge coming in, since usually the graduate program is the next level of what we studied as an undergraduate. Instead of telling me to read something or to work certain problems, I am expected to do those things myself.  Also I am expected to be able to do research on my own.

What I have also noticed is that professors are more understanding of what is going on in graduate students’ lives.  Graduate students come from all backgrounds and walks of life.  They can bring unique experiences but also have different life situations to work around.

Should I go straight out of college, or should I wait awhile?

I have known colleagues that have done both.  There is no definite answer, but I think it really depends on your needs and your attitude toward education.  Personally, I decided to go teach for a while before even thinking about a graduate degree.  Graduating from college was a stressful time– I had just gotten married and I was broke!  No way could I afford graduate school!

Also, going to work really helps one realize what he/she wants to get out of graduate school.  Teaching for four years helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses as a musician and a teacher, so when I could finally start school I knew what to work toward. I also had experience that I could share with my classmates and professors that I may not have had straight out of college.

Some of you may be ready to begin graduate school right after earning your Bachelor’s degree.  There are some definite positives to this.  It can be harder to go back to school after having a job for awhile, and even harder if you have a family, bills and other obligations.  If you are still young without any of these obligations, and you are ready for it, it may be worth looking into graduate school.  Also, the knowledge you obtained in your undergraduate program is still fresh on your mind.

Should I look into an online program or on-site program?

Again, this is up to the needs and attitude of the student.  There has been a rising trend with entire degree programs being offered online.  Even some on-site programs offer online classes.  Online programs are great for people who are working and going to school at the same time.  For the most part one can do classwork at any time it is convenient.  Depending on the school, sometimes tuition is less with an online program.  Currently the only three schools I have found that offer a program online are Boston University, East Carolina University, and University of Southern Mississippi.

There are many different on-site programs.  Your average program is full-time for two years.  There are some summer programs, especially for teachers, that are even more convenient.  I am in a program at Appalachian State University that takes four summers to complete.  The classes meet for six weeks every summer.

Making the decision to go to graduate school is not one to be made lightly.  Hopefully the above comments will be helpful in helping you decide.

What about you?

Are you a graduate student (or do you have a graduate degree)? What considerations did you take before getting a graduate degree? Are you an undergraduate student with additional questions about grad school? The conversation does not have to stop here! Please leave your thoughts in a comment and this topic can be discussed further!

Related posts:

  1. About
  2. Year in Review: 2009-2010
  3. Welcome!
  4. CMENC: Why is it for Me?
  5. #MusEdChat Recap – Experience (6-14-10)
About the Author:

Kelly Brinton Nelson is a middle school choral director in Mooresville, NC. Entering her fifth year at Mooresville Middle School, Mrs. Nelson is at the forefront of her district's one-to-one technology initiative, providing leadership on the school's implementation team and offering training to her colleagues. Mrs. Nelson is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Choral Music Education at Appalachian State University, where she also received her Bachelor's Degree. She is also on the staff of Central Piedmont Community College as an choral accompanist, and the music director at Fieldstone Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Nelson's professional affiliations include: MENC, NCMEA, Sigma Alpha Iota, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Technology Institute for Music Educators.
  • maclovesmusic
    This has been a crazy week what with the start of school. I will do my best to answer your questions, and if I don't have answers (or if you need more information), I'll ask others and get back to you! :-)

    "do you have any tips for undergrads to make sure they are prepared for this kind of research?"
    The only thing that comes to mind at this time is organization. I haven't done the research portion of my coursework yet. But I have had to work on my organization skills. I'll ask some classmates to see what their ideas are.
    "Any tips on juggling the work load? Do you do anything different in terms of your approach to learning a new subject, class preparation, or study than you did for undergrad work and is this because it is a different kind of work or just better study/work skills that you have developed?"
    Just be prepared to do lots and lots of studying, practice and preparation. Since I was going to school during the summer I couldn't have a job, since we were cramming a whole semester into six weeks. I studied about 2-4 hours a night, so this would almost average out to 2-3 hours per credit hour a week. This may vary with the program and with the courses you take each semester. I felt more confident with my study skills this time around. I think it's a combination of all the things you mentioned. I am using my skills in different ways, but in more concentrated topics. Does that make sense?
    "What kinds of questions could I be asking my professors and advisers now about how to be prepared for graduate school to figure out what would be best with my interests and goals? Or what activities/experiences could I be pursuing that would possibly better prepare me for graduate work?"
    I would think about what graduate degree you want to pursue and try to have some experience in that degree. If you are considering music education, try to get as much teaching experience as you can. Also contact the institution(s) that you are considering attending to see what they are looking for. See if you can audit a class on the graduate level (or even if you can take one for credit-- that's always a plus!)

    I hope these comments are helpful! -Kelly Nelson
  • emilystumpf
    Thank you! I am sorry I didn't respond earlier, I too have had a busy week :-) Your comments were very helpful and gives me better insight into what pursuing graduate work is like. Thanks again!
  • Tyler
    Kelly,
    Thank you for your insightful post. I am currently an undergrad senior music major at Grove City College so this post couldn't apply more! The main (and only) holdup I have about going directly for a masters has to do with applying to schools. I've heard, and would love to be corrected, that most school systems would rather hire a 1st year teacher (less pay) over a 1st year graduate student (more pay). Also by going directly into teaching you learn invaluable experience you cannot obtain listening to a lecture. Thoughts?

    Thanks,
    -Tyler
  • Kelly Nelson
    Tyler, your idea about hiring 1st year teachers makes sense but in my experience I have seen more jobs go to people with more education and experience. I wouldn't let that hold you back. However I am thankful I had experience in my field before going back to graduate school. I was better able to relate some of the concepts we talked about in some of my classes. Maybe teach a couple of years then go back for your master's?
  • emmalynneadrian
    I am a senior music education major facing all the questions posted in this article. These topics seem to be answered a million different ways depending on which source you seek for justification. My biggest question is regarding online masters programs. Do you believe that furthering your degree in education online is beneficial? I feel like so much of education is communication based. I learn so much from a discussion, presentation, or plain lecture that I'm not sure an online degree program could keep up with those experiences. On the other hand, online learning allows convenience and technology is no longer the future, it's the present. So maybe technology allows an online program to be just as beneficial as any other class. Do you have any thoughts on utilizing the development of technology verses the old school pedagogical techniques?
  • Kelly Nelson
    Emma- I honestly think that online vs. in-person is purely dependent on the needs, comfort level and learning style of the student. After experiencing my conducting class this summer, I feel that there would have been no way I could have mastered those skills in an online classroom. However, as a teacher, I totally love using technology to manage my students' learning. This is going to sound like such a cop-out, but perhaps a combination program might be the best way. Anyone else have any thoughts?
  • Stephanie Cramer
    This article is really interesting! I am currently a Junior Music Ed. major and have been thinking about grad school a lot lately. Primarily, I have been trying to decide whether to go to grad school right after I graduate or to start teaching. Although I still have not made my decision, this article has helped me realize the pros and cons of each road I could take.

    Thanks for a great artice!
    Stephanie
  • emilystumpf
    I really appreciated this article. I am currently a Junior in college and have always had the long term goal of going on to graduate school (for performance) but am just now being faced with the actual decision making. I really appreciated the questions posed and the answers from personal experience.

    I do have some questions along the lines of what are the differences between a graduate and an undergraduate degree program. You mention that you are expected to take more responsibility and know how to do research etc. My questions are, do you have any tips for undergrads to make sure they are prepared for this kind of research? Any tips on juggling the work load? Do you do anything different in terms of your approach to learning a new subject, class preparation, or study than you did for undergrad work and is this because it is a different kind of work or just better study/work skills that you have developed? What kinds of questions could I be asking my professors and advisers now about how to be prepared for graduate school to figure out what would be best with my interests and goals? Or what activities/experiences could I be pursuing that would possibly better prepare me for graduate work?

    Thank you for the insightful article! It has given me some things to really think about as I consider graduate programs!

    Emily Stumpf
  • Jamie Betteridge
    This is an good article to read for those considering going to graduate school. I am a senior in college right now and I found myself in this exact situation last year as I thought about a future in music. I am a music education major, but I plan to pursue my masters in music performance (horn). Many of the schools I have visted have suggested that exact thing - to get your bachelor degree in education, but to then go onto get your masters in performance. I'd suggest this to students who are unsure about whether to pursue a performance or ed. degree in graduate school. I think going for your performance degree will ultimately make you a better teacher in the long run. Thoughts? (This is an excellent site, by the way!)
  • Jamie, you make a great point! What many Music Education students fail to remember, is that you need to be a good musician first if you want to be a good music teacher. Many students focus so much on developing their pedagogical skills that they forget to develop their musicality. Getting a graduate degree in performance is a great way to do that. Just make sure you continue to teach (maybe as a TA or in private lessons) while you're getting your performance degree!

    Thanks for stopping by, and for the great comment!
  • Kelly Nelson
    Good point! I agree with both of you! Just keep in mind many districts will not recognize anything other than an education degree when awarding graduate level pay and/or credit hours (a teeny-weeny part of the reason I stuck with education).
  • maclovesmusic
    Thanks for the comments everyone! Ian, I agree with your comment on professors. This summer I worked directly with the director of orchestral activities and the director of choral activities at my university. Also, I wanted a TA position but did not want to leave my current position at the middle school, so summers-only was the only feasible option and they don't have TAs in the summer. And Kathy, I'm very glad you encourage people to teach first. I was a little bit older than some of those in my classes, but I could directly link my learning to certain situations whereas some of the younger students may not have those links. And I knew that music education was what I wanted in a graduate program even with other options closer to home.
  • kathykerstetter
    What a wonderful site and wonderful article. As director of a graduate program, I encourage my potential students to teach first. You will be quite a different person your third year of teaching than your first. I have also had many friends who have decided to change professions entirely within the first few years of teaching. These were wonderfully talented musicians and teachers who felt their calling somewhere else at the end of the day - and that's ok. It is much more important to have a competent music teacher who wants to be there, than to have one who feels they must be there because they have spent too much time and money on their educator training.
  • Kathy, I'm so glad you enjoyed the article and the site! I definitely have enjoyed watching your podcast presentation in MED forum at UM for the past two years, and look forward to seeing you again soon!
  • I have also known people that have done both. Most good music colleges will help you make a decision based on your individual situation. As Ian said, getting a TA position is a popular way to pay for graduate school. Great site, and great post!

    Alex Yoder
    www.ututti.com
  • Alex thanks for your reply and for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed the post :) Your ututti service looks really great!
  • I loved graduate school, and I'm sad that it's over. Grad school (for me anyway) was much more fun than undergraduate since I got to focus on exactly what I wanted rather than be diverted by general education courses and such. Plus, if you get to finance it with a Teaching Assistant job it becomes an amazing opportunity to gain teaching experience and hone your organizational skills.

    A word of warning: A graduate student works with individual professors much more than an undergrad, so it's important that you find teachers who you mesh well with. I did, but different profs would have made the experience much different.
  • Ian, thank you so much for stopping by and reading this post! Your points about being a TA and the need for a good relationship between the graduate student and the professor are right on the mark--these are some extremely important things to consider when looking at graduate school!

    Thank you for visiting--your singing blog looks fantastic!
  • Kelly, thank you for this wonderful post, and for sharing your ideas!
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