The Benefits of Graduate Education

1
The Benefits of Graduate Education
with
Dr. Patti L. Harrison, Associate Dean Dr. Carl
F.Williams, Director of Admissions
2
Graduate School Benefits
Education Pays!
63,229

(Average salary by education level)
40,478

22,895

Advanced Degree
Bachelors Degree
High School
Source USA TODAY, U.S. Census Bureau May 2004
3
There are Benefits

• For graduate degree holders, M.A. recipients
  earn an average of 46,332 24 more than
  bachelor's degree recipients. Ph.D.s earn
  67,685 46 more than M.A.s and 82 more than
  B.A. degree holders.
• Source Educational Attainment in the United
  States, U.S. Census Bureau,
• Current Population Survey May
  2004

4
Higher Earnings

• Not surprisingly, holders of professional
  degrees were found to have the highest
  earnings. Their annual income of 82,749 was 22
  higher than Ph.D. recipients, and more than
  twice that of bachelor's degree recipients.
• Source Educational Attainment in the United
  States, U.S. Census Bureau,
• Current Population Survey May
  2004.

5

• More Money!
• The lifetime income differentials are magnified
  when computed over a 40-year career (from
  ages 25 to 64). Master's degree recipients will
  earn 2.5 million in their lifetime.
• Lifetime earnings of holders of professional
  degrees, at over 3.3 million, are well above
  that for any other group.
• Source Educational Attainment in the United
  States, U.S. Census Bureau,
• Current Population Survey May
  2004.

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Mean Annual Earnings by Level of Education
7
Estimates of Work life Earnings by level of
Education(In Thousands)
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Butits NOT all about money!!!
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Graduate School

• allows you to pursue specific research and
  scholarly interests
• provides needed preparation for specialized
  careers
• results in more job opportunities on national
  
  
  levels
• results in self-confidence and job satisfaction
• allows you to make contributions to society

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Are You Prepared for Graduate School?

• overall academic record
• grade point average in a specialty area
• standard examination scores
• recommendations
• statement of purpose
• professional experience
• personal interviews

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What Should You Expect From Graduate Professors?

• Professors assume that you have
• been trained or are ready
• to take good lecture notes
• to read large quantities of material
• to lead discussions
• to write major papers
• for advanced lab or clinical experience

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How Can You Create A Successful Application?

• clearly describe educational and
  
  
  professional goals
• employ strong letters of recommendation
• allow ample time for editing
• meet all deadlines

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The Graduate School

• The University of Alabama Graduate School offers
  more than 125 graduate degrees in
• Arts Sciences
• Commerce Business Administration
• Communication Information Sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• Human Environmental Science
• Nursing Case Management
• Social Work
• Interdisciplinary Studies

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Graduate Education Opportunities

• Graduate education opportunities at the
  University of Alabama include
• an exciting array of courses
• laboratory activities
• field experiences
• studio work
• performances
• distance learning
• interactive technology-based instruction

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Graduate Student Research and Creative Activities
16
Jeffrey Sides and Jen Buhay float down the
Sipsey. The two graduate students are among those
working with Dr. Charles Lydeard, an associate
professor of biological sciences, on various
bivalve or snail studies.
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Heather White, a Florida State student, Robert
Upchurch, West Alabama, and Marlyn Thompson,
Alabama State, conduct research at UA.
18
Ashley Dumas, a UA graduate student, directs an
archaeological dig at the site of the original
Tabasco factory on Avery Island in Louisiana.
Shes shown holding a photo of the 19th-century
building.
19
Dr. Keith Jacobi, assistant professor of
anthropology,and students Ben Shields and Stacy
McGrath look at X-rays.
20
Dr. Rodney Bowersox, middle, and students Daina
Lee, left, and Zakaria Mahmud conduct research in
a new aerophysics lab.
21
Dr. Dick Bradt, a professor of metallurgical and
materials engineering, was chosen as the first
American recipient of the Academic Achievement
Award of the Ceramic Society of Japan. He is
pictured here with Flavia Cunha, a graduate
student in metallurgical and materials engineering
22
Officials in the College of Communication and
Information Sciences hope WVUA-7, the
Universitys newly acquired television station,
will become a learning tool for students, where
they can train and interact in a professional,
on-air environment.
23

Dr. Viola Acoff (left) and Cherqueta Claiborn
focus on alloys significant in the aerospace
industry.
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What the University of Alabama Graduate School
Office Can Do for You?

• Answer questions pertaining to graduate study and
  financial assistance
• Provide you with application materials
• Direct you to your program of study

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The University of Alabama Graduate School

• 102 Rose Administration Building
• P.O. Box 870118
• Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
• [phone]
• http//Graduate.ua.edu