Post-Graduate Degrees and Programs

Professional programs offer academic and professional preparation for a particular profession (e.g., Law, Social Work, Medicine, etc.). Graduate schools in the arts and sciences, on the other hand, offer academic degrees in particular disciplines, the goal of which is to prepare students to pursue careers in research or academia.

Pre-Health

If you would like further information on pursuing a health-related profession, contact Dr. Robert Beer, Assistant Dean for Pre-Health Professions Advising (KE 302, [email protected],, 718-817-4700).

Pre-Law

If you would like further information on pursuing a law-related profession, contact Dr. Carla Romney, Interim Pre-Law Advisor and Associate Dean for STEM and Pre-Health Education (KE 320, [email protected], 718-817-4710).

Should I Pursue a Master's or Doctoral Degree?

You should pursue a masters degree if you are uncertain about your career path, as a first step if you are changing fields, in preparation for a terminal degree, or as a means of advancing in your current field.

You should pursue a doctoral degree if you are certain that you intend to pursue a career in university-level teaching and/or advanced research. Be aware, however, that if you do not have a strong academic background, you may need to pursue a master’s degree first in order to prove that you are capable of doctoral-level work.

For further advice, you might read:

  • Goldsmith, John A., John Komlos, and Penny Schine Gold. 2001. Chicago Guide to Your Academic Career: A Portable Mentor for Scholars from Graduate School through Tenure. University of Chicago.
  • Peters, Robert L. 1997. Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student’s Guide to Earning a Master’s or a PhD Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

What Kinds of Degrees are Offered?

  • MA (Master of Arts) degree: A postgraduate academic degree awarded in a specific branch of the humanities or social science.
  • MS (Master of Science) degree: A postgraduate academic degree awarded in a specific branch of the sciences or social sciences.
  • MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree: A postgraduate professional degree awarded for studies in areas related to business administration.
  • MEd (Master of Education) degree: A postgraduate professional degree awarded for studies in areas related to education.
  • MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree: A postgraduate degree awarded for studies in areas related to the arts. Typically considered a terminal degree.
  • MPA (Master of Public Administration) degree: A postgraduate professional degree awarded for studies in areas related to public affairs/public policy.
  • MPH (Master of Public Health) degree: A postgraduate professional degree awarded for studies in areas related to public health.
  • MSW (Master of Social Work) degree: A postgraduate professional degree awarded for studies in areas related to clinical and community social work.
  • JD (Juris Doctor) degree: A postgraduate professional terminal degree awarded for studies in areas related to law.
  • MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree: A postgraduate professional terminal degree awarded for studies in areas related to medicine.
  • DEd (Doctor of Education) degree: A postgraduate professional terminal degree awarded for studies in areas related to education.
  • PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree: A postgraduate academic terminal degree awarded for studies in areas of the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.