Why GPS?
What’s on your checklist for an ideal online graduate program? Maybe you prioritize content that reflects your daily work. Or you aspire to learn from leading professionals in your chosen field. You may want a schedule that works easily with yours, or lifelong connections that will build your career.
At Brandeis, we believe you should have it all — and then some.
Our Graduate Professional Studies (GPS) programs cater to both busy working professionals seeking to advance and recent college graduates looking to start their careers strong. While there are dozens of reasons why you should choose Brandeis GPS for your graduate education, we narrowed it down to a select few:
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Brandeis consistently ranks among the nation’s top universities per U.S. News and World Report, so you can be confident your degree comes from one of the best institutions in the country.
Our average class size is 12 students, with courses capped at 20 students. That’s a substantial contrast to the hundreds or even thousands of students in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC).
Small classes equal strong relationships with your instructors. Faculty will engage you through weekly discussions to spark follow-up conversations, summarize key learning points and answer questions.
Although your classes are asynchronous, you’ll have options to meet and interact with your fellow students and instructors in review sessions, virtual office hours, presentations and group activities.
Speaking of faculty, active professionals at the top of their respective fields create and teach all GPS courses. They share their real-world experiences along with the most current information about industry trends, challenges and the skills you need to thrive. You won’t find any teaching assistants or facilitators at GPS—our faculty personally lead all discussions and provide feedback on all of your assignments.
Beyond the classroom, our GPS program chairs are subject matter experts who keep program curricula and outcomes relevant. Program-specific professional advisory boards also weigh in with strategic guidance on industry advances and demands.
According to the Pew Research Center, in the last few decades occupations in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) have outpaced overall U.S. job growth. Most GPS programs have official STEM designations, so you’ll be prepared to take advantage of the increasing demand for specialists in these disciplines.
GPS has virtual teaching down to a science. We’ve delivered online courses for well over a decade. Our faculty members collaborate with instructional designers to create and refresh courses infused with best practices to optimize your experience.
Earning your graduate degree is just one part of your busy life. We’ve designed flexible GPS programs to help balance your education with full-time jobs and other professional, academic and personal commitments.
Case in point: You can log in to courses and complete your work at any time, from any location. You’ll follow each course’s weekly pace with ample weekend time for discussion posts and assignments.
You choose how quickly to finish your program: Part-time programs include four 10-week sessions per year, so you can finish in only 18 months—though you will have up to four years. If your program offers a full-time option, you can earn your degree in just one year.
Brandeis also allows you to:
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Take up to two courses before applying for a degree program.
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Complete courses for your own professional development, not in pursuit of a full degree.
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Pursue two degrees in closely related fields, one after the other.
You’ll have support through every step of your Brandeis journey.
During the application process, your admissions advisor will answer questions, help you meet application deadlines and connect you with faculty and current students in your program of interest. Once you’re accepted, your student advisor will take over and offer tailored assistance through graduation.
The platform is virtual, but the connections are real. At GPS, you’ll have many opportunities to network with others in your field and expand your professional circles through on-campus and virtual networking events, LinkedIn and engagement with faculty, program chairs and advisory board members.
Plus, all matriculated GPS students have access* to Handshake, a job platform featuring employers who post directly to Brandeis. You can also use Handshake to connect with fellow students at Brandeis and at other colleges and universities who work in your industry or share your interests.
*Please note that if you are a non-matriculated student, you will not have access to Handshake until you complete an application and are officially admitted to a program.
Historically, Brandeis has welcomed students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. We remain deeply committed to inclusion and social justice, and we encourage all students, alumni and faculty to use their talents to improve the world.