An awesome part about the Reimagining of Grace is the option to get a Bachelor’s AND a Master’s degree in just four years. Accelerated Master’s degrees are available in the areas of business, interpersonal communication, and ministry studies. This provides a great opportunity to take your education to the next level. There are a couple things that make the 3+1 system very convenient and affordable. Students who opt for this program retain their full-time student status during the fourth year. This has a couple of awesome benefits. Firstly, there is no jump in price to get your master’s degree. At most public universities tuition spikes dramatically for those pursuing graduate studies. Secondly, any scholarships or financial aid awarded to students will still apply to the fourth year. Thirdly, athletes will retain athletic eligibility during their fourth year of studies.
Those facts are good and fine, but is it really worth the time and effort to get a Master’s degree? Isn’t any college degree enough to set someone apart in the job market? While certainly an undergraduate degree does have benefits in the job market, an ever increasing percent of people are going to college and graduating. In additions to an ever increasing applicants pool of people who hold a Bachelor’s degree, the state of our economy also plays into hiring decision. Firms are currently not hiring near as aggressively as they used to, and it appears that the market will remain this way for several years to come.
As of the 2000 census about 15% of the population aged 25 and older had a Bachelor’s degree as the highest level of attained education. Right about 6% of that demographic group had a Master’s degree. Basically getting a Master’s degree puts a person in a very select group of people who have a huge edge in the job market. Also, as of 2007 the average age for graduate students was 32.4 years old. So having a Master’s at the age of 22 or 23 gives you a huge advantage.
There are also huge financial benefits with taking education to higher levels. The chart below shows how a person’s degree of education affected average income in 2004. Getting your Master’s degree is a solid investment your future. Until a few years ago I never considered a Master’s degree a viable option, but after doing some research I am completely convinced of the benefits they offer. I’m really excited to pursue graduate studies!
