Jumpstarting graduate school

Many high schools and colleges work together to offer dual credit programs these days for students to earn college credit before they even receive their high school diplomas.

In fact, according to a Stephens Life article published on Oct. 11, 2010, Stephens even approved similar programs for its courses to many nearby high schools.

Essentially, high school students are launching their college careers before they leave their parents home.

This same idea is now applying to master's degree programs. Stephens offers a "plus program" in education, psychology and business.

This program allows Stephens' undergraduate students the opportunity to earn graduate degree credits as early as their junior year.

The most recent addition to the plus program was the psychology counseling master's degree this spring.

According to Mimi Hedges, the dean of liberal arts, interim psychology department chair and an associate professor, the counseling program was modeled after the previously launched MBA program.

Hedges said this counseling plus program allows students to take a "bridge" class during their undergraduate career that will help them decide if pursuing a master's degree in this field is the right thing for them.

She also said that even if a student decided not to pursue the graduate degree, she'd still be able to use those "bridge" courses toward a minor.

"It's really a win-win. You can apply to the program and be involved in that, do your psychology major. You still have that choice to apply to the graduate program and go on, or wait and apply later. But, you have that coursework in your curriculum, which to me is a big part of the plus," Hedges said.

Nancy Cornwell, interim vice president of Academic Affairs, said that these plus programs are a growing trend in education, but that Stephens is in the forefront.

"There's a recognition that there are a lot of opportunities that allow students to kind of take some of their elective classes and have them bridge graduate studies," Cornwell said.

Not only do these programs accelerate a student's educational career, but they also assist in the preservation of time and money.

If a student can work toward a master's degree while paying for an undergraduate degree, less money will be spent down the road.

"Given the tough economy and a tough job market, students emerging with a master's degree will have a real edge. And so, what we've tried to do is create opportunities for students to plan properly to not just get an undergraduate degree in psychology, but to come out with a master's in counseling," Cornwell said.

In a job market that greatly considers levels of education, being able to work on a master's degree and a bachelor's degree at the same time is not only a smart financial move, but also a good career choice in the long run.

College might just be becoming considered on the level of a high school diploma, so why not go for a higher level of education to "bridge" the gap?