Should You Go Back to School for a Master’s Degree? Key Factors to Consider

Amber Ramsey, Guest Writer

Note: The following story was written by Guest Writer, Amber Ramsey, of Learn It For Life. 

Deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree is a significant choice that can impact your career, finances, and personal life. While advanced education can open doors to better job opportunities and higher salaries, it also comes with challenges, including cost, time commitment, and the potential for uncertain returns on investment. Before enrolling in a graduate program, you need to weigh various factors to determine if it aligns with your professional and personal goals. Here are the most important aspects to consider when deciding whether to go back to school for a master’s degree.

Career Advancement Potential

One of the main reasons people pursue a master’s degree is to improve their careerprospects. Some fields, such as healthcare, education, and engineering, often require a graduate degree for higher-level positions. In other industries, while a master’s degree may not be mandatory, it can provide an edge in job applications or promotions. Before committing to a program, research whether a master’s degree is essential for your desired career path or if gaining more work experience would be just as valuable.

Financial Investment and Return

Graduate school is expensive, and tuition costs vary depending on the institution and program. Consider how you will finance your education—whether through savings, loans, employer reimbursement, or scholarships. More importantly, think about the potential return on investment. Will your expected salary increase justify the cost of tuition and the time spent in school? If the financial benefits don’t clearly outweigh the costs, it might be worth reconsidering or exploring alternative ways to gain the skills you need.

Time Commitment and Work-Life Balance

Pursuing a master’s degree requires a significant time commitment, typically ranging from one to three years. If you are currently employed, you’ll need to assess whether you can handle the additional workload of graduate studies while maintaining your job. Balancing school with personal responsibilities can also be challenging, especially for those with families or other commitments. Online or part-time programs may offer more flexibility, but they still require careful time management and dedication.

Personal Motivation and Long-Term Goals

Earning an online degree provides the flexibility to balance full-time work with academic advancement, making it an excellent option for busy professionals. By earning a master’s degree in health administration, for instance, you can deepen your understanding of the healthcare industry and develop the leadership skills necessary to guide organizations through complex challenges. Schools with accreditation in online MHA programs allow you to study on your own schedule, ensuring that career responsibilities and personal commitments remain manageable while pursuing higher education.

Passion and Interest in the Field

Beyond career advancement, a genuine interest in the subject matter should be a major factor in your decision. If you’re passionate about learning and expanding your expertise in a specific area, pursuing a master’s degree can be a fulfilling experience. However, if you’re considering graduate school simply because you’re unsure of your next step or feel pressured by external expectations, you might want to explore other options before making a commitment.

Job Market and Industry Trends

The relevance of a master’s degree depends largely on industry trends and job market demands. In some fields, employers highly value specialized knowledge and advanced degrees, while in others, experience and networking play a more significant role. Research job postings and industry forecasts to determine whether a master’s degree will truly enhance your employability. If your field is rapidly evolving, you may also want to consider whether alternative credentials, such as certifications or short-term training programs, could offer similar benefits.

Alternative Paths to Career Growth

A master’s degree is not the only way to advance in your career. Gaining relevant work experience, earning professional certifications, or developing in-demand skills through online courses or workshops can sometimes provide similar or better opportunities. If your goal is career growth, explore all available options before committing to a graduate program. Some industries value hands-on experience more than additional degrees, so it’s essential to determine what will be most beneficial in your specific field.

Earning a master’s degree can be a powerful step toward career growth, higher earnings, and personal fulfillment. However, it’s not a decision to take lightly. Evaluating factors such as career impact, financial costs, time commitment, industry relevance, and personal motivation will help you determine whether graduate school is the right choice for you. By carefully considering these aspects, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and sets you up for success.

Click here to read more about Learn It For Life
Click here to share your work with The Highlander

The Department of Education Under Attack

Gabriella Sandoval, Staff Writer 

Despite differing political affiliations, everyone should be in mutual agreement that the Department of Education (DOE) and the various programs within the department, are vital and that their work is imperative. The DOE is responsible for providing necessary assistance and aid towards our education system, and to those that benefit from it. Recent news regarding Trump’s plan to completely defund, and shut down the DOE has sparked controversy on what this could mean for the millions of American families and individuals that rely on federal support from the DOE.

The Department of Education is responsible for establishing, distributing, and monitoring policies on financial aid for education. They also collect data and research on schools, focus national attention on key educational issues, and prohibit inequalities while ensuring opportunistic access to education and other resources.

Although Trump has not fully clarified how he plans to shut the DOE down, there is no doubt that this threat could be monumentally impactful. Project 2025 (the Republican policy initiative) has recommended entirely abolishing the DOE, which would result in various programs to be transferred to other federal agencies, or completely terminated.

There are several necessary and revolutionary programs that the DOE is responsible for, and that are at risk for permanent removal. The first program is known as Head Start. The Head Start program provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to a plethora of low-income children and families.

The next program in jeopardy is known as Title 1. The Title 1 program helps provide funding in schools where a high percentage of students are from low-income families. The purpose of Title 1 funding is to help schools develop and establish programs that provide necessary resources to deserving students whose families cannot fully provide for them.

Another program is the IDEA program. This program ensures children with disabilities receive an appropriate education by imposing requirements on school districts and other local education agencies, to make all aspects and locations equally accessible and up to date.

Trump’s threat to terminate the DOE is also hugely worrisome for college students. One of the most prominent functions of the DOE are Pell Grants. According to a recent NCAN report, each year, nearly 7 million undergraduate students benefit from Pell Grant aid. So, if you’re a student (like me), or a parent of a student that is reliant on Pell Grant aid, the potential threat on Pell Grants should concern you, and to some extent, even disturb you. 

It’s fair to say that all of these programs are important, and because of this, it’s also fair to say that any presidential candidate that doesn’t deem these programs as necessary may not be considered worthy of a vote. Make your opinion known and your voice heard by voting in the upcoming presidential election. Many futures depend on it!

Humans of Regis: Gabriela Gonzales Lucero

(Photo courtesy of Gabriela Gonzales Lucero)

By: Samantha Jewell, Social Media Editor

What brought you to Regis University?

The close, tight-knit community Regis offers to the students and the values instilled through the Jesuit Community.

What is your major? And why did you decide that was what you wanted to study?

I am an Elementary Education major; I always loved working with kids. Throughout high school, I worked a program coordinator for the afterschool program for 1st- 5th grade. It was since then that I knew I wanted to work with kids and shape the minds of the future.

What is your plan after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to teach at a Title One DPS school and specialize in teaching ESL students.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

The most influential person in my life is my mom. Throughout my childhood, she was always fighting for equal rights among many minority groups, and she always taught me to stand up for what I believe in.

What is the happiest moment in your life?

That’s so hard to choose, but I would have to say the birth of my son. You don’t know the value of everything you do in life until you have that little person looking into your eyes counting on you.

What is your favorite Jesuit Value? Why?

Men and Women For and With Others, It keeps you level and always checking you as a person to want to be constantly giving back and taking care of others not just yourself.

Tell us about the new club that you are starting? And who can join?

It’s Students Advocating for Educational Diversity. At Regis, we are educated men and women of all ages and faiths who take on leadership roles and try to make a positive impact in a changing society. My fellow education majors and I have started a new club on campus called SAED, Students Advocating for Educational Diversity. Our mission is to seek to support, advocate for, and include people of color considering a profession in the field of education. We hope to bring awareness to the underrepresentation of people of color across the university, but especially in the Education Department.  Thus, our club includes undergrads from a diverse range of backgrounds, but particularly those who identify as people of color. We hope to help provide ALL future educators with opportunities to work in a diverse variety of school settings. Currently, we are focusing on anyone taking an education class and want to recruit more future teachers of color.

OP-ED: Devos & Education Policy

(Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)

               With Betsy Devos as the new Secretary of Education, many people have realized that big change could come to the American Education system. Devos grew up in Michigan and is a multi-billionaire who comes from a very wealthy family. She then proceeded to marry into the family that created Amway. In other words, she is a member of one of the richest families in the United States. Recently, she has been scrutinized for her lack of experience in education, and also many of her proposed policies.

               Devos has been fighting for the past 20 years to allow kids to choose which schools they attend, rather than attending the school that is within their district. As Secretary of Education, she is continuing this fight by proposing a voucher system that would allow parents to choose the school their child attends.

               This policy has the potential to improve the failing American education system. If implemented correctly, school choice could help kids in impoverished neighborhoods go to schools that have better resources to help them succeed. A student’s socioeconomic status should not affect their quality of education. By funding the voucher program, we can improve the quality of education for all students and encourage them to take the next step towards a university education.

               Along with the proposed voucher system, Devos has also highlighted her campaign for charter schools. Currently, many states have a cap limit on how many charter schools can operate within their state. Devos wants to eliminate these caps, and push states to open more charter schools. Moreover, she has urged Congress to allocate more funding towards the charter institutions. Charter schools are thought to provide a higher quality education compared to publicly operated schools. Devos’ charter school policy could lead to better-educated individuals.

               One of the issues that people have with Devos’ new policies is that she wants to use federal funding for religious schools. People see this as a violation of the separation between church and state, and I have to agree. She has stated on multiple occurrences that she would like to include religious schools in the push towards school-choice, but people are disagree that the federal government should fund religious institutions.

               As we look at the overall intentions of our new secretary of educations policies, I think that American citizens should have a positive outlook on the future of our education system. Despite the flaws that Devos’ may have, her overall motives could be very beneficial for the system. Citizens of the United States of America should give her a chance.

Luke Cahill Staff Reporter