Is it Worth the Cost to Get a Master’s Degree?

With the sluggish economy of the last several years, many professionals have used this time as an opportunity to go back to school for an advanced degree.  However you may be wondering if the cost of earning that degree is really worth it. 

Today there are many entry level jobs that require at least a master’s degree.   Furthermore, many accredited colleges and universities have made it easier than ever to go back to school without the need to quit your job by offering part-time, accelerated and online master degree programs.    

A master’s degree sets you apart from other job applicants and can increase your marketability.  According to a quote from the lead economist of Payscale, Katie Bardaro, in an article from Forbes, she states, “Evaluating the benefits of a master’s degree is not just about the potential for higher pay, but also about the opportunities it will bring, the skills and knowledge it can provide, and overall satisfaction.” 

An April, 2014 article from Peterson’s online site says that, “Over the course of a lifetime, a person with a master's degree typically earns $400,000 more than someone who only holds a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Ph.D. holders are in a position to command even higher earnings.”  They still recommend carefully weighing the costs against the potential benefits and determining the value to you and your family. 

At Governors State University we offer a broad range of master degree programs.  In our College of Arts and Sciences alone, we have ten exceptional master’s programs.  Please see our website for all of the details and requirements for each program. 

Source:

forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/06/08/the-best-and-worst-masters-degrees-for-jobs-2/2/

petersons.com/graduate-schools/cost-graduate-degree-worth.aspx

In every college we have outstanding programs and world-class professors; all focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

An Excellent Opportunity to Complete Your Degree

Perhaps this is something you have thought about for a while but wondered if you had the time to do it.  At Governors State University, we are committed to helping adults complete their education and have created a program that makes it easy to do so.  In fact, our Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program is so flexible we refer to it as the “build your own” degree program.

The way it works is that students have a choice of 21 minors, and from there, they build a customized program that allows them to meet specific vocational and career goals while earning their Bachelor of Arts degree.  Students are permitted to transfer up to 80 credit hours in lower division courses from other universities to Governors State.  (Please see our website for the complete course requirements.)

To make sure it is convenient, we offer courses in a variety of formats that includes online and media-based classes, and the program can be done on a full or part-time basis.  In addition GSU offers the most affordable tuition rate of any 4-year university in Illinois without sacrificing our academic standards.  Even for students that opt for distance learning classes, they will still pay Illinois in-state tuition.  

Adult learners feel right at home at GSU as we have a student body that is made up of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.  Courses are taught by world-class professors, not teaching assistants and in order to give students the benefits of individualized attention; we keep class-sizes small.  By combining the latest technology with innovative teaching methods, GSU students are prepared for rewarding careers.

Please keep in mind that we also offer several off campus learning opportunities including the Naperville Learning Center.  These locations provide an added convenience to students in all areas of Chicagoland.

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We have a highly diverse student body and our courses are taught by gifted professors. Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of best colleges in Chicago.

GSU’s College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Programs

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs that gives our students a strong foundation built with hands-on experience and the latest technology.  Our programs are designed to cultivate creative expression and prepare students to succeed in diverse environments.

Along with our many exceptional undergraduate and certificate programs, we offer ten graduate programs that include a Master of Arts in: Art, Communication and Training, Criminal Justice, English, and Political and Justice Studies.  We also offer a Master of Science in: Analytical Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Biology and Mathematics.  The other graduate program is a Master of Fine Arts in Independent Film and Digital Imaging. 

Here is a quick look at several of the CAS graduate programs.  In our M.S. in Analytical Chemistry degree students develop analytical techniques, study relationships and interactions and identify the presence and concentration of chemical pollutants.  GSU’s other graduate science program is a M.S. in Environmental Biology that is primarily focused on the application of quantitative methods and the design of field and laboratory studies.  

GSU’s Master of Arts in Art stresses intellectual curiosity, self-discipline and technical proficiency. Students are presented with a choice of coursework that includes painting, printmaking, photography, digital imaging, sculpture or ceramics, and art history.   In our Communication and Training master’s program, students personalize their course of study by choosing from one of three sequences: Communication Studies, Media Communication or Human Performance and Training.

Another program, our Master of Arts in Criminal Justice degree promotes social and ethical responsibility in our community through real-world applications of problem-solving and leadership.  The M.A. in English program develops a thorough knowledge and understanding of civilization and culture as manifested in literature. Students explore, analyze and debate texts in their critical, social and political contexts, and determine the implications of differing cultural, historical and philosophical perspectives. 

Please see the CAS website for all of our programs requirements and course descriptions. 

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

GSU’s offers a M.S. in Environmental Biology Program

Graduate programs in biology can vary from one university to another. At Governors State University, our excellent program prepares students as professional biologists with a strong environmental emphasis.  Our Master of Science in Environmental Biology degree is primarily focused on the application of quantitative methods and the design of field and laboratory studies.   

As a graduate student, you will be taught by our stellar faculty that brings a wealth of world-class research and experience to your GSU education.  Students are presented with coursework that covers the spectrum of environmental biology with classes in toxicology, physiology, and ethology.  In addition students receive instructed in population and community ecology and the applied aspects of all of these disciplines. 

All of our biology programs have the distinct advantage of the GSU campus location that resides between urban and rural areas, which create diverse complex learning environments.  Furthermore GSU students are now learning in one of the most modern and advanced university science environments in the region.  The recent renovation and redesign of our large 60,000 square foot science facilities was a three-year project started in October of 2011.  The new facilities allow us to better train students with the rigorous academics and extensive hands-on experiences they need to compete regionally as well as on a national and global scale.

Our graduates find excellent career opportunities in research, government services or as naturalists at county, state and national parks. Others employment options include jobs in the private sector as waste management or environmental consultants, at planning agencies or as teachers.  Please see our website for the complete program requirements and details or contact a department advisor if you have further questions. 

In every college we have outstanding programs and world-class professors; all focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

Take Your Career to the Next Step with a Master’s in Communication

The Division of Communication, Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), a part of the College of Arts and Sciences, is comprised of the Division of Digital Learning and Media Design (DLMD), The Center for Performing Arts (CPA), and the Governors State University Visual Art Gallery.  One of the exceptional degree programs offered by the CVPA is a Master of Arts in Communication and Training. 

GSU’s Communication and Training degree give students the option of three quality sequences in order to adapt the program to meet your specific career goals.  Along with the three sequences, we offer elective courses that complement each of our options and allow students to further personalize their education.  The choice of sequences is as follows: Communication Studies, Media Communication or Human Performance and Training.  

The Communication Studies sequence explores multiple aspects of human interaction in both private and public realms.  Students are provided the skills to become effective citizens and leaders who exemplify ethical and professional communication practices.  The Media Communication sequence is designed for those students who intend to pursue careers in the fields of televisions and cinema, multimedia writing, producing and directing.  Our last sequence, Human Performance and Training is intended for those that want to take their career in the direction of developing skills in assessing performances, determining performance gaps, designing and delivering training and non-training interventions and evaluating results. 

The Master of Arts in Communication and Training degree offers a wide variety of careers.  Employment opportunities include: filmmaking, advertising, television production/direction, journalism, instructional development, customer service, human resource development, higher education, public affairs, instructional design and development, media management, media writing, public relations and job training.  Please see the CVPA’s website for all of the course requirements and program details. 

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We have a highly diverse student body and our courses are taught by gifted professors. Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of best colleges in Chicago.

Great Career Opportunities for a M.S. in Computer Science

When you get a Masters in Computer Science, you open the door to advanced positions in technology research, development or management in a range of settings that include business, industrial, government or non-profit entities.  Also you will most likely increase your earning potential as the demand for computer scientists is high.   

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook projects the job market for computer scientists and database administrators with a master’s degree is expected to grow more than 34 percent over the next several years.  Network systems and data communications analysts’ jobs are expected to grow more than 50 percent over the same period. 

In Forbes Magazine’s 2012 list of The Best and Worst Master's Degrees for Jobs, they report that a M.S. in Computer Science comes in at the No. 2 spot as the best advanced degree for jobs.  It follows closely behind that of the No. 1 winner, a M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies degree.  They based their list on the mid-career salaries of people holding each of the 35 jobs they looked at and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment projection data to see how fast employment for each job was increasing from 2010 to 2020. 

For the M.S. in Computer Science to rate as the second best master’s for jobs, the mid-career median pay was $109,000, which was the sixth best out of the full list of 35 degrees.  But once they added in the high growth in employment opportunities it brought the degree to the number 2 position.  

At Governors State we offer a Master’s in Computer Science degree that combines theoretical and applied study. Our program has an applications-focus with a software engineering orientation.  If you are interested in pursuing your advanced degree, please see our website or talk to a GSU advisor for more information.

Sources:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/06/08/the-best-and-worst-masters-degrees-for-jobs-2/

At GSU we offer a wide variety of exceptional academic programs, activities and services. We have a highly diverse student body made up of individuals of all ages and backgrounds as well as courses taught by gifted professors.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of top colleges in Illinois.  

Considering a Master’s Degree in Chemistry?

A chemistry degree can provide you with the education you need to make a difference in the world.  Many chemists work in fields that are trying to discover sustainable solutions concerning our energy, food, water and other scarce natural resources.  The Royal Society of Chemistry states that, “Global change is creating enormous challenges relating to human health, energy and scarce natural resources.”  These are the challenges chemists are working to solve.

As such employment opportunities for chemists continue to grow.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections estimated that the Job growth for chemists will be three times higher in the state of Illinois than nationally from 2008 to 2018.   However the type of career opportunities for chemists depends on the level of education they have obtained.  In order to open up widest range of job options, you will most likely need a Master of Science in Chemistry degree or a Ph.D. in Chemistry.   

Careers for chemists are found both inside and outside of the lab.  Many of the skills students learn while pursuing a degree are useful to employers in a wide range of settings such as patent law, government work, national defense, and private industry.  More chemistry related positions include working as analytical chemists in laboratories that specialize in the application of wet chemical and instrumental procedures or in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore students are prepared to pursue a Ph.D. in various chemistry disciplines.

At Governors State we offer an excellent M.S. in Analytical Chemistry program.  Students learn how to make qualitative and quantitative determinations about structure, composition and nature of materials by identifying and measuring their components.  Furthermore, they will develop analytical techniques, study relationships and interactions and identify the presence and concentration of chemical pollutants.  GSU graduate students have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by a highly qualified, engaged faculty. 

Sources:

http://www.rsc.org/careers/future/career-options

Governors State University offers students outstanding academic programs, activities and services. Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Our Division of Science offers a range of high-quality programs for undergraduate or graduate chemistry degrees.     

GSU’s Information Security Certificate

Employment opportunities are plentiful for those in the field of information security.  At Governors State University we offer students an opportunity to get the necessary training with our exceptional Information Security Certificate program.  The certificate program is open to both graduate and undergraduate students but students must have a background in networking or operating systems as well as discrete mathematics.

With the rapid increase in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks over the last several years, information security analysts are one of the fastest growing branches in the field of security.  Today almost every type of organization requires security to protect their digital assets from computer and network attacks and many are behind in their ability to adequately defend against these attacks.  The successful completion of our program will give students the critical tools they need to join an elite group of experts on the front lines of fighting cybercrime. 

GSU’s certificate program is 15 hours of challenging course work that includes: Information Security; Information Security Policy and Management; Cryptography and Network Security; Laboratory in Information Security; and Special Topics in Information Security. For GSU’s undergraduates, the certificate program may be used as elective credit toward their bachelor's degrees.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for information security analysts in May of 2012 was $86,170.  They state that the career outlook for employment of “security analysts is projected to grow 37 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.”  As computer hackers are creating havoc on the world’s computer systems, information security analysts will need to be well-trained to come up with innovative solutions.  Please see our website for more details on our Information Security Certificate program. 

Source: bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

M.A. in Art Opens Up Opportunities

Getting your M.A. in Art can take your artistic expression to the next level.  Even for individuals that plan to work as independent artists, a master’s degree can open up opportunities and offer new experiences.  For those that choose to work in art related fields, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow 12 percent over the next several years. 

The M.A. in Art program at Governors State provides students the chance to take classes from a group of talented, professional artists who understand the profession and mentor students to help them attain their goals.  By building professional relationships with your teachers, who are already established artists, you will not only learn a lot from them but it can potentially open doors for future opportunities. 

Our master’s in art emphasizes intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, and technical proficiency and students can choose whether to concentrate in studio arts or art history.   In addition our art facilities give students the chance to explore a variety of techniques and diverse materials with course work that includes painting, printmaking, photography, digital imaging, sculpture and ceramics.

Furthermore, we have the GSU Visual Arts Gallery right here on campus.  The gallery is committed to creating an intellectually stimulating, and visually compelling experience for the entire region and offers exhibitions of established and emerging artists as well as the opportunity for our own students to display work. 

Please see the Division of Communication, Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) website for more of the details and requirements for our M.A. in Art degree program.  As a graduate you will be prepared to become a practicing artist or to find a career in the art world as a critic, curator or professional educator.

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of top colleges in Illinois.   

Good Reasons to Get Your Master’s in Biology

An undergraduate degree in Biology may not be enough professional training for many students’ career goals.  If you wish to get a job in the field of biology that has more responsibilities and offers higher salaries, you will most likely need to pursue your master’s degree. 

A master’s degree opens up a much wider range of career options than an undergraduate biology degree.  Graduates have careers that include research, government services or as naturalists at county, state and national parks. Others find employment in the private sector as waste management or environmental consultants, at planning agencies or as teachers. 

M.S. in Biology programs vary from university to university.  At Governors State, we offer a graduate major in Environmental Biology that prepares students to work as professional biologists with a strong environmental emphasis. The application of quantitative methods and the design of field and laboratory studies are a large part of our dynamic program. 

Before you apply to a graduate school, you need to check out the requirements. At GSU we require applicants to have completed a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher for any graduate work attempted.  In addition there are several prerequisites that students must have successfully completed with a “C” or better.

Beyond the science prerequisites, we also expect our graduate students to be proficient in a Windows environment with file management, word processing, spreadsheet, graphing, and Internet skills.  For the full GSU requirements and program details, please see our website or talk with a department advisor. 

At GSU each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  For students interested in pursuing a career as a professional biologist with an emphasis on the environment, we offer our master’s in environmental science.      

College Credits for Work Experience? Learn the Facts

You may be closer to getting your bachelor’s degree than you thought.  There are several circumstances where an individual may qualify to receive college credit toward an undergraduate degree based on their life or work experiences.

So how does it work?  Universities realize that many adult students bring a multitude of talents and abilities to their college studies so it only seems fair that they receive recognition for some of that experience.  At Governors State we could not agree more.   In fact our Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program, designed for traditional and non-traditional students, awards college credit toward an undergraduate degree for qualified individuals.

Of course there is a process that students must follow but we will give you a few examples of how it works.  Any individual who has been in the military in the last decade will most likely have earned ACE (American Council on Education) military credits that can be applied toward an undergraduate degree.  Even boot camp or basic training may be worth several elective college credits.  

Another way that adults can be awarded college credits is by taking a competency exam such as the CLEP (College Level Examination Program©). The CLEP program offers 33 single-subject college exams and five general exams.  The single–subject exams cover the same material that would typically be found in a comparable college course.  

For some people it may be more appropriate to write an essay on the experiences that provided the learning opportunities, and then add examples of artwork, certificates, licenses, business plans, articles, software, and videos that back it up. For these individuals, they submit a Prior Learning Portfolio for College Credit that is used to demonstrate college level learning from life experiences.     

Please contact a GSU advisor to learn more information about our Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program that is designed with adult students in mind.  Our courses are conveniently offered in a variety of formats including online and media-based. 

Sources:

http://www.geteducated.com/cutting-online-university-cost/145-online-life-experience-degree

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Also be sure to take a look at the courses offered through the GSU Naperville Education Center.  For adult learners wanting to pursue a bachelor’s of arts degree, we offer one of the most adaptable "build your own" adult education programs.

Thinking about Going Back to College?

If you are a working adult that is thinking about going back to school to get your undergraduate degree, we have a program that may be perfect for you.  At Governors State University we recognize that adults have many demands on their lives and need a certain amount of flexibility to successfully complete their education. This is why we offer our Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program that is specifically designed to help traditional and non-traditional students move forward in their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree.

Our Interdisciplinary Studies program can be done full or part-time and students have a choice of 21 minors.  From there, you can build a program that allows you to customize your course work to meet specific vocational and career goals.  Classes are done in a variety of formats including online and media-based. 

If you are wondering if a bachelor’s degree will be helpful to your career, you may be surprised by how much of an impact it can make.  According to an August 2014 article in CNN Money, a new paper by Federal Reserve Bank of New York economists Jaison Abel and Richard Deitz, explains that “the rate of return for a bachelor's degree has been hovering around 14% to 15% since 2000, easily surpassing the threshold for a sound investment."

The rate of return on investment or ROI was based on the cost of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and the likely earning capabilities of the graduate compared to the earning capabilities of a high school graduate.  Even with wages falling for both college and high school grads, those with the college degree will earn about 75% more over their lifetime, which adds up to about a million dollars more than a high school graduate. 

"Despite the recent struggles of college graduates, investing in a college degree may be more important than ever before because those who fail to do so are falling further and further behind," the researchers say.  If you want to learn more about the steps to take to get started on a college degree, we encourage you to contact a GSU advisor to see if our Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program will work for you. 

Source:

http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/24/news/economy/college-worth-it/  

Did you know that Governors State University offers several off campus learning opportunities including the Naperville Learning Center? These locations offer added convenience to students in all areas of Chicagoland.   If you are an adult seeking to start your college career or to finish it, please take a look at our B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies program designed to facilitate adult education.