Reasons for a Graduate School Education
Like Legatt, Keiffer doesn’t give a blanket endorsement for pursuing a graduate education. “Should we always tell someone to get a graduate education? No,” he said. “They should have a plan for the degree, and be willing to go through what it takes to attain it. That said, I’ve always looked at education as something that is yours that nothing can take away from you.”
Sometimes the payoff of a graduate degree isn’t just financial. Denise Imery, who is earning her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at HBU, continues to teach at Clear Lake Christian School. “I’ve been teaching for 18 years; it’s my life. I knew God wanted me to go through a renewal process. I knew God wanted me to be better prepared,” she said. “I enrolled in the program because I knew I was going to grow academically and spiritually.”
For some, a graduate degree means the achievement of a goal. A history instructor at a community college, for example, might make the same as a high school history teacher. However, if the graduate degree lets the instructor work in his desired setting, it is worth it. “Degrees don’t necessarily equate to money for people,” Keiffer said. “It may enable them to do what they actually want to do in life. A degree allows for flexibility.”
Especially at a school like HBU, one’s God-given calling is of great importance. For Master of Arts in Psychology student Jonathan Bohannon, the degree is a means to fulfill his life’s passion. He plans to specialize in assisting other veterans like himself. “God led me to this,” Bohannon said. His degree is an avenue to fulfill his mission.
Master of Arts in Theological Studies student Shelby Stafford chose HBU to further her education because she liked how theology and its application are intertwined. “What we learn translates into ministry and life,” she said.
Honoring the gifts that God has given each of us, cultivating talents and building knowledge are the aim of a graduate education, Green said. Some degree programs like the Master of Arts in Apologetics have a clear tie-in to evangelism, but other advanced degrees can be just as missional. They provide opportunities for influence and reach in any field. “I think there is Christian truth in business, nursing and many areas,” Green said. “In every area of inquiry, we can honor God, and engage vocationally from a Christian perspective.”
References
“The Master’s as the New Bachelor’s Degree: In Search of the Labor Market Payoff.” American Enterprise Institute’s Online Report. January 2018.
“Employment Projections.” United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Online Report. October 2017.
“How Much Is a Master’s Degree Worth?” Education Dive’s Online Report. January 2018.
Ward, Marguerite. “20 High-Paying Jobs That Make Grad School Worth It.” CNBC’s Careers Feature. April 2017.
Legatt, Aviva. “How to Decide if Graduate School Is Worth Your Investment.” Forbes Magazine. July 2017.