Graduate and Professional School Resources
Expanding Your Opportunities
A graduate or professional degree can expand your career options, increase earning potential or deepen your expertise. Master’s programs often open doors in business, education, nonprofits and government. Doctoral and professional degrees can lead to careers in academia, research, law, medicine and other specialized professions.
Whether you’re considering graduate or professional school, preparing to apply or already enrolled in a program, the John P. Fahey Career Center offers resources to support your next steps. Please review the resources below and feel free to make an appointment with a Career Center advisor. Undergraduate students planning for medical, dental, law or other professional programs can also explore Creighton’s pre-professional advising resources.
Resources for Professional Students
Review these resources to learn about writing a CV and typical dental salaries.
Creighton’s School of Law Career Development Office provides information and resources about legal careers.
Find resources from medical professional organizations below about preparing to apply for medical school. The Career Center also recommends the Big Interview Guide for Medical Students.
- Association of American Medical Colleges: Preparing Your Curriculum Vitae
- American Medical Association: 6 Steps to Building a Competitive CV
- American College of Physicians: How to Write a CV
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Writing a CV for Residency
- Association of American Medical Colleges: Writing your Personal Statement
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Writing a Personal Statement for Residency Application
Additionally, if you are graduating from Creighton’s medical school, we also recommend reviewing the Omaha campus sample CV, Phoenix campus sample CV, and CV example with comments.
The resources below can help occupational therapy (OT) students in the next steps of their career.
American Occupational Therapy Association resources*
*aota.org account required
Find resources below—including those from pharmacy professional organizations—about preparing to apply for a pharmacy program and beginning your career.
- PharmD CV example
- PharmD CV example 2
- Big Interview: pharmacist mock interview questions
- O*Net Online’s pharmacy salary information
- CareerOneStop’s pharmacy salary information
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
- CV preparation tips
- Letter of intent: "pearls of wisdom"
- Letter of intent example with comments
- ACCP Career Center
American Pharmacist Association (APhA)
American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP)
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
The resources below can help physical therapy (PT) students with the next steps in their careers.
The resources below can help physician assistant (PA) students as they prepare to start their careers.
- PA resume example
- Health eCareers: resumes and cover letters for a new PA
- O*Net Online’s PA salary information
- CareerOneStop’s PA salary information
- American Academy of Physician Associates’ (AAPA) Career Central*
- AAPA Job Source*
*aapa.org account required
Graduate School Considerations
Graduate school involves advanced, specialized study in a focused field. Program length, structure and outcomes vary, but most degrees fall into four categories:
- Professional Master’s (e.g., MBA, MEd, MSW): Career-focused programs that prepare you for specific professions and often include applied experience
- Research Master’s (MA, MS): Research-oriented programs that may lead to a PhD or serve as a standalone credential
- Professional Doctorate (e.g., MD, JD): Required for practice in certain professions
- Research Doctorate (PhD): Emphasizes advanced research and scholarship and commonly leads to academic, research or specialized industry roles
Clarifying Your Objectives
Graduate school is most effective when it supports clearly defined goals. Consider the following questions:
- Is an advanced degree required for my intended career?
- Will this degree significantly expand my opportunities?
- Am I prepared for the academic and time demands?
- What are the total costs, including tuition, living expenses and potential lost income?
- Are there alternative credentials or certifications that meet my needs?
Timing
There is no universal timeline for attending graduate school. Both immediate entry and delayed enrollment can be strategic choices. If a graduate degree is not clearly tied to your goals, additional research or work experience may help you refine your direction and strengthen your application. From a financial perspective, starting later may make sense if an employer offers tuition assistance.
Financial Planning
Another key area to evaluate is the financial impact of graduate study, which includes:
- Direct costs like tuition, fees and books
- Indirect costs like living expenses and potential lost income
- Funding sources like assistantships, scholarships and employer tuition assistance
Support From the Career Center
In addition to the guidance on this page, Career Center advisors can provide individualized support with program comparison, research, timeline planning and application strategy. Advisors can also assist with your personal statement—from brainstorming to feedback on structure and drafts. For best results, schedule an appointment early in the application process.
Begin this process as soon as you decide that graduate school is your intended path. Applying early can improve access to admission and funding opportunities.
Most applications include the components below. Ensure each one clearly reflects your preparation and alignment with the program.
- An application form
- A statement of purpose or personal statement
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (typically 2–3)
- Standardized test scores (if required)
- An application fee (fee waivers may be available)
- Financial aid documentation (if applicable)
Guidance from the Career Center
- Letters of recommendation: Ask at least one month before deadlines. Select recommenders who can speak directly and specifically to your academic ability, work ethic and potential for success in graduate study. Clearly communicate deadlines and submission instructions, and provide your resume, transcript and draft statement.
- Standardized tests: Some programs require exams such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT; others are test-optional. Confirm requirements early and register well in advance of deadlines
Some programs include interviews as part of the selection process. Prepare to discuss your academic interests, career goals and why the program is a strong fit. After the interview, follow up with a brief thank-you message after the interview.
Admission decisions may arrive on different timelines. Track each program’s deadlines and notification dates carefully.
If you are admitted to multiple programs:
- Compare program fit, faculty mentorship and funding.
- Decline offers promptly once you decide.
If you are placed on a waitlist:
- Confirm continued interest, if appropriate.
- Maintain professional communication.
- Continue exploring alternative options.
Plan for funding
Graduate funding varies widely by institution. Explore assistantships, scholarships, federal aid and employer tuition assistance. See the Scholarships and Fellowships section below for more information and links to resources.
The Personal Statement
Most graduate programs require a statement of purpose or personal essay as part of the application. This document allows the admissions committee to assess your preparation, motivation and fit for the program. A strong personal statement clearly connects your academic and professional goals, relevant experiences and preparation and why the specific program is a strong match.
Personal Statement Tips
Scholarships and Fellowships
The cost of graduate or professional school may be offset through scholarships, fellowships or grants. Universities and specific programs may offer funding opportunities, so contact each institution directly for details. If you are applying to a Creighton program, refer to our admissions information page and the Office of Financial Aid.
Nationally competitive awards, such as the Rhodes or Fulbright Scholarships, are also available to graduate students. These programs are highly selective and typically require strong academic performance, leadership and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom. If you are interested, begin researching early and allow sufficient time to prepare a thoughtful, competitive application with support from a faculty member or advisor.
Additional resources
Creighton’s national and international scholarships and fellowships page (login required) provides tools and guidance on preparing applications, securing reference letters, drafting personal statements and developing research proposals. You may also explore scholarships through professional associations and honor societies related to your field.
The Career Center also recommends the following resources for scholarship and financial aid information:
Contact Us
John P. Fahey Career Center
Creighton University
Harper Center, Suite 1088
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, Nebraska 68178
Phone: 402.280.2722
Fax: 402.280.3450
Office Hours:
Weekdays: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Central)
Drop-in Hours:*
Weekdays: 2–4:30 p.m. (Central)
Virtual: 402.280.2722
In-person: Harper 1088
*When classes are in session, meetings are intended to last 10–15 minutes.
Career Advising
Career Center advisors can support you at every stage of your career journey. Schedule an appointment through Handshake or call us at 402.280.2722. Bring any necessary documents to your appointment or email them to your advisor beforehand.
