The Why, When, What, Where, and How of Graduate School
Abstract
Career Development The Why, When, What, Where, and How of Graduate School Randall R. Cottrell, DEd, CHES Joanna Hayden, PhD, CHES Health Promotion Practice January 2007 Vol. 8, No. 1, 16-21 ©2007 Society for Public Health Education T here are many important career development decisions that health educators need to make as they progress through their careers. One of the most important of these decisions is whether or not to attend graduate school. When thinking about graduate school, numerous questions need to be addressed: Why attend graduate school? When to attend grad- uate school? What degree to pursue? Where to attend graduate school? How to fund graduate school? The purpose of this article is to help health educators think through these ques- tions and provide guidance for those considering graduate study. >>WHY ATTEND GRADUATE SCHOOL? This is an important question and one that needs to be carefully consid- ered. A common reason for attending graduate school is career enhance- ment. In some areas of the country and in some health education settings, such as medical care and worksite health education, the master's degree is almost considered the entry-level degree (Cottrell, Girvan, & McKenzie, 2006). In other words, to