CSU Stanislaus offers a variety of graduate school programs. Whether individuals are interested in pursuing a master’s or a doctorate, Stan State offers graduate degrees in areas like business administration, public administration, eduction, health, science and more. 
There are so many opportunities that come with a graduate program. Essentially, it provides collaboration with faculty and students but also first-hand experience in the field students are closely pursuing. Other benefits of receiving a graduate degree range from being able to get employed easier to gaining better pay than with a bachelor’s degree alone.  
Pursuing a graduate degree can assist in a career change, becoming more competitive in the job market, and can grow sharpen skills.
Dean of Stan State’s Graduate Studies and Research program, Dr. Haley Ye, shared some advice for current undergrad students.
“Never be intimidated by your grade, the program, or by the professor,” she said. “Just go talk to professors and program directors.”
Ye added that it’s important to be persistent in terms of reaching out to different faculty.
This is very crucial when it comes to wanting to pursue graduate school. Reaching out to faculty is a great start to building network and relationships.
Dean of the College of Business Administration, Dr. Terence Pitre, shared some vital information about the Master of Business Administration program at Stan State.
“Our program has similar course work as top MBA programs,” he said.
Pitre also shed light on the positives of receiving a graduate/MBA degree.
“The financial reward is always there,” he said. “People earn a lot more with a graduate degree such as an MBA than what they might earn with just a bachelor’s degree.”
Additionally, he added, after earning an MBA, you’ll also be more likely to qualify for a management position, raises, and even bonuses.
Interim Director of the Master of Business Administration Program, Gina Donahue, said being accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) represents the highest and most rigorous standard of achievement for business schools and proudly positions Stan State in the top 5% of business schools worldwide.
“An MBA is far more than a degree. It’s a tool that delivers a lifetime of career opportunities along with professional and financial advancement,” she said. “It opens so many doors. There’s no question about the power and value of an MBA in the marketplace.” 
Melannie Castellanos (MA student, Counselor Education) said she’s pursuing a graduate degree in counselor education because she found a passion for helping guide students and ensure success in their education. 
“My goal is to either continue being a resource to students in higher education or help students get to college, technical schools or into their desired career field after high school,” she said.
Castellanos said she chose Stan State for the same reason she chose it for my undergraduate degree, because it was close to home, affordable, and she had heard great things from friends about the curriculum and professors in the program.
“I also wanted the opportunity to take classes in person and not online only like in grad programs at other universities,” she said. “Since I already had a full-time job on campus, furthering my education at Stan State seemed like a great fit for me.”
Colin Gage (MA student, English) had some realistic advice for those not sure if grad school is right for them.
“If you’re wanting to pursue grad school but are already feeling burnt out at the end of your undergrad, going right into the program will be difficult because it’s a step up in intensity,” he said. I would advise taking a gap semester/year to just work and recalibrate, then definitely go for it!”
Graduate school is a big step to take for anyone, but with peers and supportive staff, the steps become less jarring.