What is an example of a graduate program?

FUS editorial board

Have you recently finished your Bachelor’s degree? Are you in search of the next big step? You have maybe heard of graduate programs, but are unsure about what could be the best choice. Masters of Science and Master of Arts both ring a bell, but you want more detailed information on their scope and utility. In order to answer these questions, first we need to find out what a graduate degree is.

Every undergraduate student finds themselves at a point where they need to start planning their following steps after graduation. There are many options for you to choose from, like entering the workforce directly or upgrading  your qualifications through a graduate program. These degrees come in all shapes and sizes and some will suit your career aspirations more than others. Understanding what a graduate degree really is and what the timing, methodology and requirements are is the best way to ensure a proper selection of a graduate path.

What is a graduate degree?

Graduate education encompasses research, study and teaching beyond the bachelor’s degree. A graduate education gives people the tools and connections they need to make a difference in their fields. Successful graduate students have proven expertise in a specific area of professional practice both at the theoretical and practical level. While undergraduate education leads to a Bachelor’s degree, graduate education leads to a Master’s degree.

What are the differences between undergraduate and graduate programs?

An undergraduate degree is the subject of study you wish to pursue a professional career in, while the graduate degree is the specialized area you wish to explore within that field.

An undergraduate degree is a title students pursue at university after completing their high school education. Also known as Bachelor’s degree, they are the academic subject area the student commits to during their undergraduate studies. This does not mean that you are preparing for a specific job title, but that you are acquiring a holistic knowledge of a subject. This can later be further explored in practice, like an internship, or through a Graduate Programme.

A graduate degree is an advanced degree in a particular field of study that you pursue after having earned an undergraduate degree. A graduate student is someone who is seeking for more advanced knowledge, first-hand experience and connections that help further develop a broad array of career opportunities.

When can you call yourself a graduate?

Higher education has its unique set of terms that help students, faculty and even job recruiters alike navigate the progression of a learner's career. Graduate students are those who have completed their undergraduate education.

Therefore, all students pursuing a Master’s degree are graduate students until the day of graduation. On their graduation day they can call themselves masters post-graduates or even magisters, although the last term is not as commonly used as it was before.

Is a graduate program the same as a Masters?

A graduate program is a degree pursued after having acquired a Bachelor’s degree. Franklin University Switzerland’s graduate programs are all Master’s degrees. You can choose to specialize in a Master of Science or Master of Arts depending on your affinity for humanities or sciences.

How does a graduate program work?

At Franklin University Switzerland’s graduate programs take advantage of its cross-cultural environment and central location in Europe to provide internationally-focused Master’s degree programs. Students learn from Franklin faculty, visiting experts and each other.

Franklin University Switzerland leverages the best practices of in-class, online and on-site learning. Courses on the Franklin campus are taught seminar-style in small groups, involve diverse international students and are delivered by experts with years of experience. The online courses are designed and taught by industry leaders who work at organizations such as Google, the United Nations, and Amazon.

Moreover, graduate studies at Franklin provide the opportunity to develop professional skills as an intern or project participant. After collaborating with faculty and professionals both in Switzerland and internationally, students graduate with a strong skill set, first-hand experience and connections that help further develop a broad array of career opportunities.

What age is grad school?

On average, students pursuing a Master’s degree are 23-28 years old. Many decide to go into graduate school as soon as they finish their undergraduate program in order to keep up with the rhythm and schedule of academic life. The advantage a Master’s degree on a resumé can provide you during the recruiting process cannot be denied. Lastly, the possibility of starting your professional career with a higher-paying job is not to be underestimated.

However, this is not always the case. Graduate school is for anyone who wants to strengthen their knowledge and skill set in a specific field, no matter the age. It is not uncommon to hear people go from undergraduate degrees into entry-level jobs in order to acquire first-hand experience in their respective fields. Such an experience can help students decide later on what their professional goals are, and consequently, help them choose a Master’s program more closely aligned with their objectives.

Some others can even spend a few years within one or many companies exploring the many possibilities of their field. They might come across a gap in their knowledge or even within their team and decide going back to school can be the most beneficial step for their projects and career.

What is the most popular graduate program?

The most common Master’s graduate program is the Master of Science (MS). As its name indicates, a Master of Science focuses on technical and scientific departments.

How many years is a master's degree?

The length of a graduate program depends on many factors like the schedule intensity of the course, the location, the teaching methodology and the subject to name a few.

Both the Master of Arts and Master of Science programs at FUS are one year long. This year is divided into three main blocks:

  1. Courses and Individual Learning Journey (August to December)
    Engage in 21st-century leadership and management with courses following your chosen discipline. Explore relevant topics and their scope through online and on-site lectures by experienced scholars and members of the industry.
  2. Concentrations and Practical Experience (January to July)
    How to approach the 21st recruiting process? Build your learning portfolio with your tutor: in-depth knowledge and skills for employment. Develop your skills through real case studies and projects to understand the complexity of today’s professional world.
  3. Thesis (July)
    Students will be challenged in writing and presenting a capstone thesis under the supervision of the Franklin faculty.

For curriculum details see Graduate Programs.

What are the types of programs offered in graduate school?

The Franklin University Switzerland offer of graduate programs provides students with a stronger skill set, hands-on, dynamic, and experiential learning opportunities to catapult you to the next level in your studies or career. Select form a diverse range of disciplines including arts management, digital transformation, and climate action.

At Franklin University Switzerland you can choose to pursue a Master of Science in International Management program, which is divided into three specializations:

  1. MSIM - Digital Transformation
  2. MSIM - Arts Management
  3. MSIM - Responsible Management and Climate Action

For more details see Graduate Programs.

Conclusion

Master’s degrees are the first graduate-level degree in our university system. In our case, based on your field affinities, we offer the possibility of pursuing a Master of Science degree. With 2.4 million jobs predicted to require graduate degrees by 2024, application rates for grad schools have increased significantly in recent years. Exploring the options, their methodology and applications is the best way of finding out which one will be more beneficial for your specific interests.

Want to join Franklin University Switzerland?

Are you ready to take on your next adventure? Franklin's are the explorers who want more than what we already know. We study internationally relevant topics because they matter to us, to humanity and our future. Each day is an opportunity to work through problems together. We are never alone, because we are supported by dedicated professors, our peers from 50 different countries, and an alumni population that spans the globe.
 

Information for prospective students

Why Franklin?

Applying to Franklin

Basic Facts and Figures

Our Campus

Housing and Dining

Chat With Our Students

Dual Accreditation

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Share this post