What's Next: Austin Harrison on Graduate School
By Arkansas NEXT on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Austin Harrison
Clinton School of Public Service & William H. Bowen School of Law
Undergrad degree: Public Policy Leadership from Ole Miss
Master’s degree: JD/MPS • Hometown: Louisville, Mississppi • Age: 25
A passion for public service led Mississippi-native Austin Harrison to the Clinton School of Public Service. After graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in Public Policy Leadership, he wrestled with a tough decision to join the workforce in D.C., go to law school or attend grad school.
In the end, he didn’t have to choose. Clinton School of Public Service Dean Skip Rutherford visited Ole Miss during the spring of Austin’s senior year and told him about the JD/MPS (Juris Doctorate and Master of Public Service) program through the Clinton School and UALR’s William H. Bowen School of Law. Austin jumped at the opportunity to pursue his interests for both policy and public service.
What justified going to grad school for you?
Opportunities. In today’s competitive job market, a graduate degree can give individuals the skills to compete for jobs and reach his or her ultimate goals. If students have the opportunity to continue their education after undergrad, I highly recommend they do so.
This option is for you if:
√ You want to advance your career
√ You have a good work ethic and can manage your time
√ You’re dedicated to becoming a doctor, lawyer, etc.
Length of Program
The length of time varies depending on which program you’re working toward. Graduate degrees in business or education typically take two years when taking classes full time.
Cost
The average cost of master’s degree for students is between $30,000 and $120,000, according to FinAid.org. The cost varies depending on the university and the master’s program itself. The average cost of an MBA, for example, is $40,000.
Admission Requirements
Most graduate programs have a minimum GPA requirement, a minimum score on a standardized test such as the GRE, LSAT or MCAT and a bachelor’s degree.
Housing
Most colleges offer on-campus living options for graduate students. If you’d prefer to live in an apartment away from campus, that’s an option as well.
