Graduate programs are highly variable. Selecting a graduate program is one of the most important educational and career decisions a person will make, so the selection process deserves a considerable amount of time. Prospective students should consider the research interests of each program’s faculty members. They should identify programs that have well-published professors who share their academic interests.

• Since students are often expected to pursue studies that overlap with a professor’s interests, an applicant might not be accepted by a particular school if their interests aren’t aligned with those of a current researcher.

• The student will be at a disadvantage if their adviser is not familiar with their topic. After all, a main advantage of graduate school is the mentoring relationship that a student develops with his or her adviser. The faculty member ideally invites the student to contribute to scholarly papers and helps the student to network within the academic community.

• The student might resent being instructed by a faculty that has a different philosophical orientation. For example, a secular student of social psychology might not be comfortable within a department that frequently works with churches.

Consider the school’s reputation. At the graduate level, the reputation of a particular department within a school might be better than or less respected than the reputation of that school overall.

• One of the most important criteria is that the school is accredited. The vast majority of graduate programs are accredited, which means that their curricula are endorsed by a select group of non-profit organizations that are approved by the federal government. Traditional schools and online schools may be accredited. However, certain "diploma mills" take advantage of people who are eager to advance their careers. These low-quality schools do not award diplomas that are meaningful to employers or to other educational institutions. The accreditation status of a school can easily be verified with a search of the U.S. government’s accreditation database.

• Rankings of particular departments at a university are offered by US News & World Report and other publishers.

Compare costs. Graduate study can be expensive. One the one hand, a graduate education will likely pay off by leading to a higher salary. On the other hand, some students become overwhelmed with debt.

• Expensive price tags can often be lowered with scholarships. These may come directly from the school or from the federal government. All accredited schools, including online schools, offer federal aid to eligible students.

• Many graduate students receive a stipend, which is money that is automatically given in order to defray the cost of living.

• Some graduate students receive assistanceships, which involve teaching a class or conducting research in exchange for pay.

• Members of the military and their spouses are eligible for special educational discounts.

• Many employers will pay for an employee’s graduate education.

Compare school sizes. Some students prefer to work among a large number of people. Others prefer a more closely-knit study environment. Some smaller schools might not have the resources of large institutions, but there are many exceptions. Consider each program’s length. Some degree programs are part-time and take longer to complete. Some are full time and can be completed more quickly but with a more intense workload. Some programs allow students to work at their own pace and take just one course a semester or a full load.

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