| The American graduate degree is slightly | | | | non-English speaking countries will have to |
| different from the graduate degree conferred | | | | get TOEFL score too. Some universities |
| in commonwealth countries. Here graduate | | | | require you to write an essay or statement of |
| degree means not a bachelor's degree like B.A | | | | purpose while filling up the application. |
| or B.S but a master's degree like M.A, M.S, | | | | Reference letters also carry considerable |
| M.B.A or a doctoral degree like Ph. D. It is | | | | weight.Usually older people find it tough to |
| offered by a graduation school or a | | | | get good GRE/GMAT scores. Since most of the |
| university. One can earn a graduate degree | | | | distance education programs are targeted at |
| either from a regular or distance education | | | | the employed people who don't have the time |
| program.Many people entertain the idea that | | | | to attend regular college many schools relax |
| enrolling for a correspondence program is | | | | the traditional admission procedure for older |
| very easy. On the contrary, it is as tough as | | | | applicants. Especially on-line colleges are |
| enrolling for a regular program. Most schools | | | | relatively flexible and give more importance |
| adopt the same standards to process the | | | | to other criteria such as GPA score, work |
| applications for on-campus and off-campus | | | | experience and career achievements.The time |
| programs. In US each university has its own | | | | frame to earn the degree varies from school |
| admission procedure. You should contact the | | | | to school. Master's programs are normally |
| Distance Learning department of the college | | | | completed in 18 months to two years time in |
| or the concerned authority of the on-line | | | | the regular course. But a distance program |
| college you have chosen for the application | | | | may take much longer, probably two-three |
| formalities.Graduate schools require a | | | | years. Some on-line colleges facilitate |
| bachelor's degree from an accredited college. | | | | faster completion compared to the distant |
| The required GPA (Grade Point Average) of the | | | | education programs of regular colleges. You |
| degree differs from school to school. You | | | | can earn an on-line bachelor degree within |
| need to take at least one of the standardized | | | | 13-18 months. Doctoral programs through |
| admission tests such as the Scholastic | | | | correspondence may take four-eight years to |
| Assessment Test (SAT) or the Graduate Record | | | | complete.Better compensation and promotions |
| Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test | | | | are motivating many employed people to pursue |
| (MAT). Business Administration/Management | | | | correspondence graduate courses. Studies show |
| courses require the Graduate Management | | | | that graduate employees earn 40-50% more than |
| Admissions Test (GMAT) score. Students from | | | | non-graduates. |