Careers with Graduate Degrees
Take Your Education Further
Some careers require education beyond a bachelor's degree, including master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. These advanced degrees provide specialized knowledge and training for careers in fields such as healthcare, law, education, counseling, research, and business.
Graduate education can require a significant investment of time and money. If you're considering a career that requires an advanced degree, research the entire educational pathway—including admission requirements, program length, cost, licensing requirements, career outlook, and potential earnings.
Understanding Graduate & Professional Degrees
Master's Degree
A master's degree provides advanced study in a specific field and is typically completed after earning a bachelor's degree. Depending on the program and profession, a master's degree may prepare you for specialized professional roles, career advancement, certification or licensure, or continued doctoral study.
Examples of careers that may require or benefit from master's-level education include:
- Counselor
- Physician Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
- Social Worker
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- School Administrator
- Certain business and management careers
Doctoral Degree
Doctoral degrees represent advanced academic or professional study. Requirements and program length vary considerably depending on the field.
Some doctoral programs focus on research and scholarship, while professional doctoral programs prepare students for specialized careers.
Examples include:
- Psychologist
- Physical Therapist
- Audiologist
- College Professor or Researcher
- Certain healthcare professions
Professional Degrees
Professional degree programs prepare students for specific licensed professions and generally require undergraduate education before admission.
Examples include:
- Physician
- Dentist
- Attorney
- Pharmacist
- Veterinarian
I like separating professional degrees here because a student thinking about becoming a doctor or lawyer isn't necessarily thinking, "I need a doctorate." They're thinking about a specific professional pathway.
Explore Careers Requiring Advanced Education
Healthcare & Human Services
Many healthcare professions require advanced education along with professional licensing or certification.
Examples include:
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Audiologist
- Pharmacist
- Genetic Counselor
Education
Advanced degrees may be required for specialized education roles, administration, research, and postsecondary teaching.
Examples include:
- School Counselor
- School Administrator
- College Professor
- Education Researcher
- Certain specialized education professionals
Behavioral & Social Sciences
Graduate education is common in careers involving counseling, psychology, research, and advanced social services.
Examples include:
- Psychologist
- Mental Health Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Clinical Social Worker
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Law & Public Service
Some legal and public-service careers require professional or graduate education.
Examples include:
- Attorney
- Judge
- Policy Analyst
- Certain government and public administration positions
Science & Research
Careers involving advanced scientific research and specialized technical expertise may require master's or doctoral education.
Examples include:
- Research Scientist
- Biochemist
- Medical Scientist
- Economist
- Postsecondary Researcher
Understand the Full Education Path
Before choosing a career requiring graduate or professional education, research:
- What undergraduate degree or coursework is required?
- Are there prerequisite courses for graduate admission?
- Are entrance exams required?
- How competitive is admission?
- How many additional years of education are required?
- Are internships, clinical experiences, residencies, or fellowships required?
- Does the profession require licensing or certification?
- What will the entire educational pathway cost?
- What are typical starting salaries and career opportunities?
Explore Careers & Career Clusters →
Consider the Investment
I would give this pathway page a stronger financial section than the others because the stakes are higher.
Look Beyond the Starting Salary
Advanced education can lead to specialized careers and higher earning potential, but it can also mean additional years of tuition, living expenses, and delayed full-time earnings.
Before committing to a graduate or professional pathway, compare:
Total education required
How many years will it take to complete your undergraduate and graduate education?
Total cost
What will you pay for the entire pathway—not just graduate school?
Financial assistance
Are scholarships, assistantships, employer benefits, loan forgiveness programs, or other funding available?
Expected earnings
What are realistic starting and long-term earnings for the profession?
Borrowing
How much debt might you need to take on to complete the entire pathway?
Then link:
Ready to Explore Graduate Programs?
Once you've identified a career requiring advanced education, research the undergraduate preparation and graduate or professional programs that can help you reach your goal.
Explore Graduate School Planning →
