Great! You have just received you acceptance letter for the masters program you applied to. You know this will make your career options more promising. But what will it take to complete the program in good time and stress free? Let’s review these steps one-by-one. Going back for to college for an advanced degree can take many months or several years. This means that good planning is very important. The positive side of this is that you can take some actions that will make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

Step 1 – Develop your program of study early. In most masters degree programs you need about 36 hours or more to complete your degree. Clarify this information with your department or graduate coordinator. Most graduate schools also have a program of study form for you to complete, to guide you in the program. Each semester or quarter, be sure to enroll in the minimum number of courses. If you don’t some programs might think you have dropped out of the course. Also, be sure to review future courses and when they are offered so that you don’t miss out when they are offered.

Step 2 – Enroll in and complete all your courses. Of course be careful when planning your course load. It is always advisable to contact and meet your your academic advisor at least once or twice each academic term so as to discuss your experiences and accomplishments in the program.

Step 3 – Choose a committee if it your program requires a thesis, or a master’s research project. The committee will guide you in completing your program successfully.

Step 4 – Do research on the career you want. As you go through the program, learn about what it takes to succeed in that field. For example if you are a nursing student, learn more about the latest technologies being used in healthcare. This way when you join the field, you will already have a good idea on what is current. You can learn these skills through your coursework, internship, and also your own extra reading and Internet searches.

Step 5 – Write and defend your thesis. This is where your committee will work with you to develop a quality product. It’s a challenging task but also one that is rewarding. Start out by outlining your proposed topic, methods, theory, and procedures for the completing the thesis. Some programs may require you to write a comprehensive exam in lieu of or in addition to the thesis. Be sure to study for that as well.

Step 6 – Start looking at job postings. Prepare your portfolio, which can include your resume, artifacts, credentials and other examples that showcase your best self. It is never to early to start looking. Keep a list of potential jobs and ensure that you are receiving the skills and knowledge from your program. Don’t wait till after graduation to start applying for jobs. After all, that’s why you started the master’s degree, right?

Step 7 – Apply for graduation. At some point during your program of study, apply for graduation. Be sure to check the deadlines. Some come up very early in the program, and you certainly do not want to miss that.

If flexibility is important for you, you might consider taking online classes or enrolling in programs that have options such as evenings and weekends. While it is important to graduate, it is even more important to ensure that the program you graduate from is accredited. No sense graduating with a degree that no one will recognize.