A graduate degree is rapidly becoming a prerequisite for senior leaders in the armed services and in corporate America. Fortunately, your military credentials provide a ticket into some of the country's best graduate programs. Your experience is valued by admissions counselors nationwide and likely has equipped you to succeed in even the most competitive programs. Surprisingly, many people in the military continue to underestimate the value of graduate education and their ability to succeed in first-rate schools.
More education equates to greater rewards: A graduate degree can make a big difference in your military and civilian careers. An advanced degree provides both a competitive and a financial advantage. A recent U.S. News & World Report article noted, "From the employer's perspective, an advanced degree is a sign that a job applicant has the necessary commitment and dedication." It also can make a big difference in corporate salaries. According to the Graduate School Admissions Council, newly minted MBAs can expect to see starting salaries increase by 50% over their pre-MBA earnings.
A graduate degree also helps those serving by better equipping them to do their jobs and making them more competitive for advancement. "I found graduate school exceptionally helpful in gaining an appreciation for the importance of ideas and how they influence the military decision-making process. This certainly helped me throughout my career," said Rear Admiral Joe Sestak, Director of Assessments Division on the OpNav staff. he earned his MPA and Ph.D. from Harvard between sea tours.
Showing up is half the battle: "I could never get in" is one of the most common excuses for not applying to a prestigious program, but in many cases it is misguided cynicism. In fact, the single greatest barrier to a military person getting accepted by a top program is simply not taking the time to apply. Other frequently cited reasons for not considering graduate school include concern about the time commitment and the cost of the program.
Even if you do not have a stellar academic record, you should not assume you will be denied admission. An applicant's life experiences, demonstrated leadership, and accomplishments often are as important as previous academic performance and test scores. "We look for leaders," said Kim Clark, dean of the Harvard Business School, "and many of our students with military backgrounds have had meaningful experience leading and motivating people. We also find that they do well academically. This has contributed to our appreciation of military service during the admissions process."
The demand for military students is at an all-time high. In addition, it never has been easier to attend school. With the proliferation of distance education and executive programs, educational institutions are customizing degree programs for a wider range of students. Duke's Fuqua School of Business, for example, offers a top-ranked MBA in 20 months for students spending just two weekends per month on campus. University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has an executive MBA that requires just two days per month on campus and provides the remainder of the coursework online (and the GMAT is optional). "We now have thousands of military students enrolled in our graduate programs," says Dr. Gerald Heeger, president of UMUC.
Paying for school also creates a great deal of anxiety for many people. Fortunately, a combination of tuition assistance, GI Bill, and scholarships often can cover the cost of an advanced degree. In other cases, your service might pay for your degree to further your career (such as the Navy's subspecialty program, Naval Postgraduate School, and Naval War College). Many schools give graduate credit for military service. UMUC, for example, accepts credits from the Naval War College nonresident program, Defense Acquisition University, Air War College nonresident program, and Joint Forces Staff College.
Not just for officers: These opportunities are not just for those with commissions. One of the greatest changes in today's military is the pervasiveness of college degrees among the enlisted community. "After completing an undergraduate degree, it's only fitting to progress further and pursue graduate school," says retired Master Chief of the Coast Guard Vince Patton. "In the past, it was difficult for enlisted members to achieve an undergraduate degree or attend graduate school. Today, with distance learning and the availability of a more robust tuition assistance program, degree programs are more easily accessible and achievable for military members." Master Chief Patton should know; he holds two master's degrees and a doctorate.
Your military experience never has been more in demand by the best graduate schools. If you have the opportunity to invest in yourself, take it. It will pay significant dividends.