Christian Education: Masters Degrees

Doesn't it seem to be that what was once an exception is now a rule? At least with education, that looks to be the case. Take some time to look at how many occupations require education beyond high school compared to those that don't. Jobs that pay a decent wage and have sustainable benefits are jobs that usually require a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, it is beginning to look as though the bachelor's degree is an entry-level minimum - master's degrees are preferable for more and more employers.

How has this happened? As culture has rapidly progressed, and advances have been seen in virtually every career field, many more skills are needed to function in the working world. Additionally, the availability of education in virtually every setting, fit to meet every schedule, has driven the mentality of business managers, owners, etc. to seek employees who were motivated enough to learn, sustain a class load, and persevere through the often murky waters of institutional education. I predict that a master's degree will soon become the norm, and an undergraduate degree will be seem more and more like a high school diploma - if you don't have it, you aren't progressing in most work environments.

So what should we do? Finish our undergraduate education as quickly as possible so we can move on to graduate school? Find the quickest route to a master's degree? Put off starting our career until our education is all in line? These are all valid questions, so I hope to offer a few good principles to help guide in this decision making process.

Is It Practical Right Now?

No doubt about it - Earning a master's degree involves a large investment in time, money, and effort. The first question you need to ask yourself is if you're in a position in life right now that will allow for the pursuit of a graduate school education. Have you prayed about the decision? Have you consulted the Bible to consider the benefit of education? Proverbs 3:13 says, "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding." But wisdom and understanding do not always come from an upper-level education. Often we will find that nothing in the classroom can compare to a good ol' helping of experience. While it's nice and often beneficial to have a master's degree, it's worth considering if you're career field is demanding of such an education. Often you'll find that while it might give you an edge over job competitors, there are several positions available in your field with the same pay and benefits without needing extra education. That will save you time and money in the end.

It's also important to remember the amount of effort that is required of a graduate student. More reading, writing, and thinking are involved in master's level work than most people realize and are willing to dedicate themselves to. Do some research in your field and find out how necessary a master's degree is. What are the gains? Will you be over qualified for most employers? Are individuals with master's degrees working for the same amount of money and benefits as those with a bachelor's degree? Having a solid answer to these questions, along with clear, biblical discernment will help you to decide if a master's degree is practical for you right now.

When Should I get My Master's Degree?

No secret about it, there are many career fields that won't even consider a person without a master's degree. If that's a field you are called to, you've got one option to get started -- get it done! Most people who have waited until later in life or who have had an extended leave from school between degrees will tell you that it is much more difficult to return. While school becomes tiring after 17+ years, it's a lot easier to continue immediately after an undergraduate degree than it is to return after several years of leave from academics. Let's face it, going to school is much different than everything else in the world. If you wait on it, the burning question at the back of your mind will always be, "why didn't I do this earlier and get it over with?" If you need a master's degree, get it done as soon as it becomes practical.

If you have waited and want to return, you should take the initiative to find a reading list for the school you will be attending in the area that you will be studying. Most academic institutions provide a listing of books that are suggested reading to prepare an individual to be successful in their college career. This is especially beneficial to a person who has been out of the academic world for a few years. Most people don't read on a daily basis as much as they do in graduate school -- it's a good habit to get into early, before classes start. And while you're at it, you should brush up on your writing skills too. Start a blog, write in a journal or diary -- do something -- get those fingers typing and that brain thinking, you'll need everything you've got!

Where Should I get My Master's Degree From?

More and more colleges are offering various means by which a student can earn their master's degree. This includes seminaries too! Online degrees are becoming a norm and have made it possible for virtually (no pun intended!) anyone to obtain an accredited degree from a respected institution. Do some research. What does the school offered compared to others? Where do most of the people in your career field have their degrees from? Do I have any moral or ethical objections to what is taught at the school? Can/do they offer financial support? Is the school nationally accredited?

Go For It!

You can never learn too much, but make sure you're investing your time and money wisely. Graduate school can be a scary thing, and it's not for everyone, but as long as you know what you're getting into, it's just like all your other education -- a lot of hard work and dedication will get you through, and you'll come out on the other side very happy that you did it. So what are you waiting for? Go for it!