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Department of Psychology at Illinois State University

Factors to Consider About Graduate School

Why Go to Graduate School?

In graduate school, students focus on one specific area of psychology that interests them (e.g., clinical, cognitive, developmental, industrial-organizational, school, social, etc.). Students receive specialized training in research and/or practice in the chosen area and, depending on the program, students may be qualified to practice, teach, or continue conducting research in this area of interest. See master's vs. doctoral programs.

Specific Areas of Graduate Study in Psychology

The following links will provide more information about graduate study in different areas of psychology:

Clinical-Counseling Psychology
Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Quantitative Psychology
School Psychology

Not Going to Graduate School

It is generally not a good idea for students to pursue graduate school simply because they have nothing else to do after completing their undergraduate degree. Graduate school requires a strong commitment and students, who are not committed, perform poorly. It is also not a good idea to go to graduate school simply to avoid employment. Most successful graduate students work on their degree for more than 40 hours per week. Graduate school involves intensive study of a specific area of psychology. Therefore, having only a vague interest in psychology is usually not enough motivation for students to complete a graduate degree.