Career Services Center

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Learn About Graduate Study

Graduate study in the STEM fields includes academic graduate programs like a Master’s or Ph.D. where you’d study a particular subject in depth for the purpose of advancing knowledge, or professional degree programs like medicine, biotechnology, forensic science, ergonomics or information technology which train you for a specific career path.  There are also Professional Science Master’slink_icon and Engineeringlink_iconpdf_icon programs which are hybrids of both. 

  • Read our guide to Academic Graduate Programspdf_icon summarizing the preparation and application process.
  • Visit our library to read Peterson's Graduate Programs volumes covering Biological Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and more

Get Experience & Prepare

To confirm your interest in a field, to develop the skills and knowledge needed for graduate study, and to prove your abilities to graduate schools, you’ll need to prepare academically and obtain relevant practical experience. 

Apply to Schools

Most graduate school applications occur in the late fall/early winter of the adcademic year before you want to start. You will need to identify programs that match your interests and complete an application.  Some steps take time so plan ahead!

  • Schools & Programs – Use the links below to identify programs with a curriculum, faculty and facilities that match your interests.  Consider your likelihood of admission and cost. 
Animal Behavior.link_icon Information Sciencelink_icon
Archaeologylink_icon Marine Biology and Marine Sciencelink_icon
Biochem, Molecular, Cell Biologylink_icon list and Guidelink_icon Math Professional Master'slink_icon 
Bioinformatics and Computational Biologylink_icon Mathematicslink_icon list and Guidelink_icon
Biomedical Engineeringlink_icon Medical Physicslink_icon
Biophysicslink_icon     Medical Researchlink_icon and MD-PhDlink_icon programs
Chemistrylink_icon list and Guidelink_icon Neurosciencelink_icon list and Guidelink_icon            
Cognitive Sciencelink_icon Nutritionlink_icon
Computational Sciencelink_icon                                     Oceanography, Atmospheric Sci. and Meteorologylink_icon     
Computer Science Doctorallink_icon Operations Researchlink_icon
Conservation Biologylink_icon Orthotics & Prostheticslink_icon
Developmental Biologylink_icon Physics, Astronomy and other Physical Scienceslink_icon
Earth Scienceslink_icon Physiologylink_icon
Ecology and Evolutionary Biologylink_icon

Primatologylink_icon
Engineering Schoollink_iconpdf_icon list and Profileslink_icon  Professional Science Master'slink_icon list and Guidelink_icon   
Environmental Science & Studieslink_icon   Science Master'slink_icon
Exercise Sciencelink_icon Sci., Eng., and Public Policylink_icon list and Guidelink_icon
Forensic Sciencelink_icon Sustainabilitylink_icon
Human Factors/Ergonomicslink_icon Vertebrate Paleontologylink_icon
Human Geneticslink_icon list and Guidelink_icon  Virologylink_icon
  •  
    • Search for International Programs:  Australia/New Zealandlink_icon and UK/Irelandlink_icon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
    • Attend our Graduate School Fair to learn about programs from school representatives
    • Talk to faculty and graduate students in your field for program recommendations
    • Do a literature review to see who's publishing books or journal articles in your specialty area
    • Consult PhDs.orglink_icon, the National Research Councillink_icon, or field-specific Rankings

  • GRE – Preparepdf_icon, Studylink_icon and take the Graduate Record Examlink_icon
  • Letters of Recommendation – Get to Know Writerspdf_icon and Collect Letters
  • Application Essay – Write your Statement of Intentpdf_icon and get a Critique
  • Financial Aid & Fellowships – Know how to Pay For Graduate School

For additional help with your professional & graduate school preparation and application come into the Career Services Center or contact your Professional & Graduate School Advisors.