What is Graduate School? Check Overview and Key Details

Discover what graduate school in the US entails, from advanced degrees like Master's and PhDs to specialized career paths. Uncover details on program types, durations, and eligibility requirements. Explore the benefits of deepening your expertise and enhancing professional prospects without revealing all the specifics.

Ayukta Zisha
Jun 16, 2025, 10:04 EDT

In the United States, graduate school refers to the high level of educational studies conducted after earning a bachelor's degree. It gives students a chance of expertise in a particular field and to receive advanced degrees such as a master's, doctorate (PhD), or professional qualifications. Graduate schools are designed for people who want to deepen their educational knowledge, improve career prospects, or engage in research and teaching. These programs are harsh and often require independent work, thesis writing, and a concentrated course. Whether in science, the humanities, law, or business, graduate schools provide a route for educational and professional development.

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What is a Graduate school?

A graduate school is a part of a university, or sometimes a separate institution, where students pursue education beyond their early bachelor's degrees. Think of it as the next step after your first college degree. The biggest difference from regular college is that graduate programs are very special. While graduate studies give you a comprehensive education, graduate school dives very deeply into a specific subject, which helps you become an expert in that field. 

You can earn a variety of degrees, such as a master's degree, which usually takes 1 to 2 years to create advanced skills, or doctoral degrees (such as a PhD), the highest academic degree, which often requires 3 to 7 years or more of intense, original research. During this time, students often engage in extensive research, internships, and write important academic papers such as a thesis or dissertation. Essentially, if you aim to become a deep expert in a particular field, conduct research, or enter a highly specific career, graduate schools often have the way for you.

What does Grad School Offer?

Graduate schools offer several types of advanced degrees beyond a typical bachelor's degree. The most common is a Master's degree (like an MA, MS, or MBA), which usually takes 1 to 2 years to complete. For those seeking the highest academic level, a Doctoral degree (such as a PhD, EdD, JD, or MD) is available, typically requiring 3 to 7 years depending on the specific field of study. Additionally, graduate schools provide professional degrees designed to prepare students directly for careers in specialized fields like law, medicine, or business.

Students in graduate programs often get deeply involved in various activities. They commonly engage in research, pursue internships to gain practical experience, and work as teaching assistants. A major part of their academic journey usually includes completing a substantial thesis or dissertation, which is a long research paper that contributes new knowledge to their chosen field.

Key Details 

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The main details to learn about Graduate School in America:

Eligibility: A full bachelor's degree is required. Admission may also require a statement of GR/GMAT score, academic transcript, recommended letters, and purpose.

The fields of studies: There are graduate programs in almost every academic and professional field- engineering, psychology, law, medicine, business, education, and more.

Duration: Master: 1-2 years and PhD: 4-7 years

Cost: Tuition can vary greatly, from $ 20,000 to $ 60,000+ annually. Scholarships, fellowships, and assistance are often available.

Objective: Graduate school helps to pursue a career, qualify for special roles, enter academics or research, or switch professional paths.

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What is a Graduate Degree? Check Overview, Types, and Key Benefits

Ayukta Zisha
Ayukta Zisha

Content Writer

    Ayukta Zisha is a Content Writer and Published Author with a Master’s degree in English Literature. She also holds a certification in Digital Marketing from IIT Delhi. Deeply passionate about art, aesthetics, and literature, Ayukta brings a unique creative flair to her writing. A dedicated bibliophile, she continues to explore and share her love for words through engaging and insightful content. You can reach out to her at ayukta.jisha@jagrannewmedia.com

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