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Graduate school. The term alone conjures up images of scholars hurrying to classes, researching topics, writing papers and debating theories. Many adults today have returned to the classroom in hopes of earning and Master's Degree or Doctorate Degree. There are many reasons why adults have chosen to do this. Some include career advancement, career changes, reaching a long-term goal, and self-enrichment.

Whatever the reason adults decide to return to school, there are some things that need to be considered first. One of the biggest considerations is what degree concentration will I have?

In order to narrow your school search, it's best to know what degree you want to attain. It's a fact that not all colleges have the same degree programs and picking the right one for you is essential. And, keep in mind that graduate degrees are much more specialized than undergraduate degrees. So, within an area of concentration, there will be specific tracks. For example, an Education degree could have specialties in Adult Education, Administration or Leadership. So, it's important to know what track you want to take and research that area thoroughly.

Once you have decided what you will study, you need to determine how you will study. Will you attend a traditional school or a virtual school? With the ease and availability of the Internet, many traditional schools are offering degrees on-line as well. And, there are also newer schools that have been established that only offer on-line degrees. Factors that will help you determine traditional versus virtual will be cost, location, classroom schedules, your motivation.

Cost On-line schools are convenient, but may cost much more than traditional schools.

Location Is there a traditional school near you that offers the degree you wish to attain?

Classroom Schedules Some graduate classes at traditional schools do not compliment full-time jobs. Some on-line classrooms require you to login at specific times to "attend" class.

Personal Motivation Are you motivated to get up and go to class at a traditional school? Do you have the discipline to work alone in an on-line setting with all of the other demands on your time? A good rule of thumb regarding time investment in graduate school is to multiply the course hours by 3. For example, if you are taking a class that is a 4-credit hour course, then you will be averaging 12 hours per week in study and preparation (4-credit hours x 3 = 12 total hours). Do you have that amount of time to invest

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