Understanding Grad Program Competitiveness
Congrats! Youve chosen a graduate program, read up on tips for applying to grad school, and even wrote a focused grad school resumé. But if youre like many students, youve left the most daunting part of the application process for lastwriting a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesnt have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.- College Search
-
- Search by kewords, location, and more
- Get matched by interests
- Search by lists and rankings
- Get started with our guide
- Graduate Program Search
On average, an online master's in music takes students two years to complete, but some schools offer accelerated programs where learners can finish their degree in one year. Online programs typically allow students to finish more quickly than on-campus degrees. However, exact graduation timelines vary from school to school. Regardless of the type of school you are applying to, you will be required to submit an admissions essay as part of the application process. Graduate programs want students with clear commitment to the field. Essay prompts typically ask applicants to discuss their previous experience, future professional goals, and how the program can help them in achieving those objectives. The essay gives the applicant the chance to articulate these goals and display strong writing skills. Remember to tailor your essay to each school and the faculty committee that reviews your application. But first, take note of what kind of essay is being requested of you. Here are the two main admission essays: If accepted, students continue working through the required 12 courses by taking classes online and at the schools brick-and-mortar location.
Interested in learning more about Northeasterns graduate programs?
As part of graduation requirements, online students participate in a practicum and three internships (providing a minimum of 700 clinical training hours) before undertaking a significant capstone project and writing about their findings. UIUs program was designed to meet the credential/licensure requirements for professional counselors, so many graduates work towards these endorsements upon graduation. Others plan to continue into a doctoral counseling program. At Missouri State, we have a method for individuals who do not meet our undergrad GPA minimum standards to enroll as non-degree-seeking graduate students and try out up to nine credit hours of graduate classes to see if they can earn decent grades and, if so, they can usually use nine hours of graduate coursework with a 3. 0 or higher GPAs as a substitute for their undergraduate GPAs, says Douglas Gouzie, graduate program director for the Department of Geography, Geology, and Planning at Missouri State University. Like the University of Louisiana at Monroe, McNeese State University in Lake Charles operates as one of the member schools of the University of Louisiana system and serves 7,500 students annually.
A small campus, CU maintains an intimate feel in both campus-based and online classes. The master of arts in counseling focuses on the development of three core areas: the practice of counseling, interpretation of biblical and theological ideas, and the knowledge needed to receive state licensure. Students who complete Cornerstones online counseling program meet the requirements to apply for a Limited License as a Professional Counselor (LLPC). Because CU also runs the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, students choose which institutions name appears at the top of their diploma. UTEP offers an online master of fine arts in creative writing program with no residency requirement. Students may choose to write in Spanish or English. Students may get applications that ask for statements of purpose, or statements of intent, as well as personal statements. With such similar names, it's no surprise that many students wonder whether there is a difference.
Depending on the program and writing prompt, a personal statement and a statement of purpose may fill the same need in the eyes of the admissions committee. In cases where both are required, however, things can get a little tricky. In general, the statement of purpose focuses more on a student's reasons for applying to that particular graduate program and may address topics such as career and research goals, how his or her academic track record demonstrates qualification for that particular school or program of study and how a given program will impact the student's future. Students who want to go to grad school should make an effort to build rapport with some of their undergraduate professors, so they have people who know them well who can vouch for them when they apply to advanced degree programs. As a result of these relationships, professors can write recommendations that provide insights about students that grades alone cannot.
Many emphasize performance and require students to audition to enter the program. Students may also have to perform a final recital. The University of Houstons Victoria campus provides an in-depth master of arts degree in counseling psychology for students preparing to work directly with clients after graduation. Comprising 60 credits, this degree typically takes three years of study if enrolled on a full-time basis and helps students meet requirements for receiving the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential within Texas. With this qualification, UHV graduates find work in settings such as residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, university counseling offices, or mental health agencies in addition to having the opportunity to operate in private practice. Admission hinges on a graduate admissions index score of 980 or higher, an essay stating why the applicant wants to attend UHVs program, evidence that the student has already taken courses in abnormal psychology, research, and statistics (and received C grades or higher), and an interview with a UHV faculty member.
- Why do I want this degree?
- What are my expectations for this degree?
- What courses or program features excite me the most?
- Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
- How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?
Offering a slightly different take on studies, MSU provides a fully online master of arts in psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis. The Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) approved this program, meaning graduates can apply for credentials as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst after graduating and passing an exam. The best personal statements have clear purposes and easily draw readers in. Students should be cautious about turning their personal statements into risky or edgy creative writing projects and instead maintain a strong narrative structure using anecdotes for support when necessary. "Everyone loves a coming-of-age story," Radunich says. "Remember that the faculty have a vested interest in admitting students who will be fun for them to work with and watch grow. " Applicants should determine which key points about themselves are most important to make and then choose situations or experiences that demonstrate those points. This serves as the main content of the personal statement. It's important that students remember to keep anecdotes relevant to the specific programs to which they are applying and to make it clear how the experiences led them to those programs. Students move through coursework as part of a cohort, giving them plenty of support and encouragement along the way.
Hands-on learning and internships are required of most programs; therefore, prior work experience is valued as well and can support a candidates acceptance in lieu of a high GPA. At Clarion, we can consider a GPA with significant and relevant work experience. Due to the competitiveness of allied health programs, work experience is recognized in combination with strong GPA. There is also consideration given to candidates who have strong grades in the given discipline, even though the cumulative GPA is under 3. 0. In some programs, yes, work experience can help make up for not having a high grade point average. Along with a focused narrative, grad school applicants should demonstrate for the admissions committee why they want to attend this program and how doing so relates to their place academically, locally and globally.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas serves more than 30,000 students annually, with learners electing to study both at the Paradise campus and online. Individuals seeking a masters degree in educational psychology have the option to complete a program of study via either format, although they should check the institutions state compliance listing to ensure theyre eligible for enrollment. UNLVs program appeals to degree seekers with a variety of interests and goals, ranging from classroom teachers looking to better understand learners and enhance teaching to individuals hoping to do research in the field after completing a doctoral degree. Roles of UNLV graduates include educational assessment coordinator, educational psychologist, human resources education specialist, program evaluator, and research analyst for school districts. As one of the more unique institutions in this ranking, Touro University Worldwide operates 30 schools in four different countries, with the majority of campuses stationed throughout the United States. The universitys online masters degree in psychology offers a concentration in educational psychology for distance students aiming to work in school settings or as educational consultants upon graduation.
Radunich notes that strong personal statements show that candidates understand the "big picture" of the profession and the true meaning and impact they will have in their communities. Ive been lying still for the better part of six hours now, unable to determine exactly why my host family insists on leaving the brightest light in the house on all night (to this day, still a mystery). It is not for a childs sake; I, at 22 years old, am the youngest in the home. Im also the only American. Five grown men, lined up snugly on a queen-sized mattress, are soundly sleeping while I contemplate excuses for not working in the landfill that day. Although grade point average is not the only thing that makes a prospective student a good candidate for a grad school program, it is an important factor but how much of a factor depends on what schools students are interested in attending. For more competitive programs, a 3. 0 or even higher may be the minimum GPA accepted, but in other cases, schools are more flexible and will admit students with a minimum 2. 5, or they may have no GPA cutoff at all. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornerstone University operates as a private, non-denominational Christian institution serving the needs of undergrads and graduate students alike.
With 14 campuses spread across Texas, six other states, Kenya, and online, Wayland Baptist University educates more than 5,000 students internationally each year. The master of arts in counseling at WBU exists as a hybrid program, requiring students to visit campus Friday-Saturday once a month. At this time, eligible campus locations include Oklahoma (Altus), Hawaii, Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson), and Texas (Plainview and San Antonio). Recognizing that many attendees have personal and professional obligations throughout the week, WBU makes it possible for busy students to attend face-to-face meetings with maximum flexibility. While earning my advanced degree, I intend to learn the details and structure that is needed to successfully run arts organizations. The closeness that Castleton University has with the Association for Arts Administration in developing its program for the MA in Arts Administration encourages me; it assures me that the quality and rigor of the program at Castleton is the right fit for my personal and professional aspirations.
Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. After completing a two-year master's degree, students enroll in either a Ph. D. or Psy. D. program. Learners in the former may need roughly eight years to graduate. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) approved Unions degree path, ensuring students seeking a rigorous and meaningful education can find one at this institution. The degree comprises 60 credits and allows full-time learners to graduate in 24 months. Part-time enrollees usually spend 60 months moving from start to finish. Students decide if they want to start their studies in January, May or August of each year. Some of the core topics covered include counseling theory and practice, professional orientation and ethics, appraisal and diagnostic techniques, and social basis of behavior and cultural diversity.
Most online master's degrees in music require students to complete a final project that integrates everything they have learned during the program. The specifications of final projects will vary depending on the college and a student's specialization of study. Often, the final project incorporates a live performance, especially for students specializing in technology, composition, or orchestration. It is common for students who study a specialization in music education to complete a final research paper or thesis that is later presented to a committee. When applying for graduate schools, students should know exactly what is expected of them in order to be successful. To provide insight on how prospective grad students can handle the process even if they have low GPAs, we spoke to two experts: Dana Bearer, associate director of transfer, adult and graduate admissions at Clarion University, and Douglas Gouzie, graduate program director for the department of geography, geology and planning at Missouri State University. Bearer:Work experience will be weighed heavily by most MBA, accounting and finance graduate faculty.
Although Touros program does not lead to licensure, many students have gone onto meaningful roles that dont mandate any type of endorsement. Located just outside the nations capital in neighboring Arlington, Virginia, Divine Mercy University provides a fully online masters in psychology via its Institute for the Psychological Sciences. With a focus on instilling Catholic-Christian virtues while educating future mental health professionals, DMUs curriculum offers an innovative and cutting-edge educational experience. Comprised of 36 credits and completed in two years of full-time study, this program covers topics such as human growth and development across the lifespan, the Catholic-Christian vision of flourishing and evidence-based practice and program evaluation. The final course, a capstone, helps students learn to be transformational leaders within the helping professions. This course is taken in lieu of a thesis.
The Best Online Masters in Creative Writing Programs
The program requires 30 credits and starts in the summer each year. Rather than focusing exclusively on theory, UNCs program emphasizes assignments that allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems. Some of the assignments include reviewing and revising lesson plans, creating assessment models, and addressing issues of diversity. Some of the classes offered include educational psychology for teachers, cultural issues in educational psychology, and educational assessment. To graduate, students provide a research proposal, conduct a project, and write a paper about the results. They must also take a comprehensive exam. Though based in Fort Collins, students hoping to complete Colorado State Universitys master of applied industrial/organizational psychology degree dont have to visit campus to pursue this fully online program. CSUs degree helps students learn how to study and categorize workers behavior in various business settings in order to maximize productivity and performance. Aside from understanding the psychology behind the decisions workers make, I/O psychologists-in-training gain skills in identifying and retaining top-tier employees, implementing and overseeing leadership development initiatives, handling sensitive and multifaceted issues, and assessing whether workplace programs are effective and efficient.
The efficacy of the program combined with the professional portfolio of projects demonstrating a mastery of skills in a range of areas in the arts and the six-credit culminating internship is exactly what I am looking for in an advanced degree program. TheCouncil of Graduate Schoolsreports that for the 2016 school year, 48. 7 percent of students who applied tomaster's degreeprograms were accepted, while the acceptance rate for doctoral programs was 22. 2 percent. With this in mind, students should take a realistic approach when choosing which schools they will apply to and do as much research about the schools theyre interested in as possible so they know what their chances of acceptance are. Although Ball State University provides degrees from its home base in Muncie, Indiana, individuals interested in pursuing the master of arts in educational psychology need never visit campus since the program exists fully online. BSUs program requires students complete 30 credits, 18 of which form the core curriculum and the final 12 are devoted to one of four available specializations.
Of the 32 credits needed to graduate, at least nine must be completed offline. Some of the classes required in this program include research methods and scholarly writing in the social sciences, statistical methods, and introduction to social anthropology. The final three classes for all psychology students include crafting the thesis proposal and masters thesis parts one and two. When it comes time to write the thesis, students work with a director to conduct original research and write about a topic that ties in with previous professional experience or academic interests. Given the learning focus of this program, many graduates go on to complete a doctoral program and work in areas of research or academia. When they walk across the stage, newly minted graduates receive a master of liberal arts in extension studies, with an emphasis in psychology. Harvard is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Students who excel in a master's degree in psychology program possess honed research, communication, and interpersonal skills. Learners facing difficulty should contact their school's student services center. Programs require students to complete 30 to 50 credits to graduate with an online music master's degree.
Once degree seekers complete all required courses, they complete a comprehensive examination focused on basic knowledge, application, and research methods and statistics. Another component of graduation requirements is the thesis. Students create a proposal outlining their proposed methods and research project and recruit three faculty members to serve as their thesis committee. After turning in the final product, degree seekers participate in a two-hour thesis defense to answer questions and explain the choices they made.
-