by Jane Mays-Evans

Created on: March 02, 2009

Advanced Degree Considerations Degree Considerations

There are several things one needs to consider when deciding whether or not to go back to school for an advanced degree. Issues such as time, job advancement, money, home duties, and babysitters can all be big factors. An advanced degree can be quite rewarding if your home and work life do not suffer while obtaining it. However, advanced degrees are not for everyone and adults must consider the pros and the cons.

The first issue you need to look at is time. Advanced degrees required not only hours of live meeting, but they also require time for studying, doing research, and participating in outside projects. Advanced degree classes are usually held in the evenings but some classes may be required that are only offered during the daytime. One must consider:

1. Do I have time to attend 15-18 hours a week at school?

2. Do I have time to devote at night and on the weekends to complete homework and participate in outside the classroom activities?

3. Do I have time to spend at the library doing research and meeting with groups?

If you can answer yes to all of the above, then you have time for an advanced degree. If not, you may want to consider part time class work or not going back at all.

The second thing that needs to be considered is job advancement. Will obtaining this degree help you at your current job? Will obtaining this degree allow you to find a better job? If the field you are going into only requires a BA or no college education at all, you probably won't see a raise or promotion from obtaining an advanced degree. However, if you are looking for a new job, an advanced degree sure gives you one step up among the other applicants.

The third thing to consider is money. School costs money. Whether you are paying for your classes as you go or taking out loans for you classes, you are still responsible for paying for school. The question is: will obtaining this degree help me make more money? Again, if the answer is no, it is probably not worth it. You don't want to see yourself owing thousands of dollars for a degree that did not help you obtain a better job.

The fourth issue to look at is your home life. If going to school and spending time on the computer and library causes church, your kids, your mate, or yourself to suffer, it may not be worth it. Students who go back for advanced degrees often have to shuffle school, work, family, and home duties around. Everyone is not able to do this. You need to take a hard look at your home responsibilities and see what would suffer from you going back to school. Again, it may not be worth it. On the flip side, maybe a spouse or other family can help out with carpooling, chores. Etc. If you can get them to help out, it will sure make a difference.

Finally, if you have kids, you have to consider who will watch them while you are in school. If you cannot find a free sitter, it may be too costly for you to go back. You have to consider what things your kids will miss out on while you are pursuing a degree. Fortunately, when I was obtaining my MA, my mother helped get my son to school, to sports games, etc. If you can find someone who can help you do those things, you should be okay to go back.

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