Start preparing yourself now for a graduate degree at Missional University!

Whether you are returning to school after working in the field for a number of years or just completed an undergraduate degree, Graduate School can seem daunting. The good news is, there are things you can do now, to make the process easier.

Plan

Many people think planning is over-rated, but with any big commitment…like graduate school, it is important to think about your future. Take some time to think about your long-term goals and aspirations. Why do you want a graduate degree? How will it make you a better servant? What is your path forward after graduate school? The idea is not to discourage you from grad school but instead to have you think deeply about your motivation and have a compelling case for themselves and have clarity about their decision. This is especially important when you are tired or frustrated, so you do not give up.

Explore

Chances are, if you are exploring graduate school at Missional University, you have a pretty good idea about what type of degree program you want. However, you are encouraged to explore your options and make sure you choose the right Missional graduate degree program and major for you. Missional University has a lot of graduate degree options, and we are here to help you weigh your options should you need our assistance.

Requirements

Once you have narrowed down your choices, it is important to keep in mind that each program may have different expectations. Make sure you are aware of any immersion or research project requirements so you can be fully prepared to deliver on those expectations when the time comes.

It is also important to know how graduate school will differ from undergraduate school. Graduate school relies on the student to be self-driven and will include independent reading, research projects, collaboration, and discussion. Faculty will be interested in hearing your perspective and seeing how you think rather than teaching you to think. Graduate programs expect you to be much more independent and self-directed and, to fully participate. Coursework-wise, graduate school requires a higher level of writing and dialog. Since this is an online environment, students must treat all interactions as though it were being graded.

Recommendations

It is always a good idea to have a few reliable individuals you can reach out to if you need a reference. Start thinking now about who would be able and willing to provide a recommendation for you as a graduate student. At Missional University, graduate students are asked to include one letter of recommendation from a member of the clergy, community service agency, or a faith-based organizational leader with their applications.