going to grad school after age 50

[ka16325833]

Anyone else out there thinking this is the beginning, not the end? I'm researching grad school and dreaming about a new and fulfilling encore career. I'd like to hear your experiences. Did you do an in-person or an online program? Were you accepted by the other students even though you were older? What were the rewards and the challenges?

[DrJerilyn]

Go for it. I completed two Master's degrees after 50 and completed my Doctor of Ministry degree before I was 65. 

The two Master's degrees were done face to face and the Doctor of Ministry through George Fox Evangelical Seminary was a hybred-- with classes both online and face-to-face. The biggest challenge for me was staying focused on the task at hand as sometimes I did feel overwhelmed by the amount of study projects. I found that most of my colleagues were younger and some were very much younger but always accepting of what wisdom I had to offer. 

Be open to being mentored by younger people and be open to learn from and with colleagues. It is an AWESOME experience so enjoy the ride!

Blessings on your new journey. Follow your bliss:D

Dr. Jerilyn (aka Dr. J though I am not male,tall, nor do I play basketball, but I am retired!)

[sq7729]

I decided to go to college at the age of 52, I have always wanted to attend college, however, growing up with 6 siblings, my parent could not afford for me to go to college when I graduated. Instead I immediately went to work.  My daughter was my inspiration for me to start on line courses at University of Phoenix. I am working towards my Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. I am maintaining a 3.8 GPA and am very proud of my accomplishments thus far. I have 18 months until I graduate and have already started looking for employment. Live is good.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

(3/22/24) @sq7729  , are you all finished or still in school?  🤔  Your post is an INSPIRATION!!!  👵

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[*** @sq7729 wrote:

I decided to go to college at the age of 52, I have always wanted to attend college, however, growing up with 6 siblings, my parent could not afford for me to go to college when I graduated. Instead I immediately went to work.  My daughter was my inspiration for me to start on line courses at University of Phoenix. I am working towards my Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. I am maintaining a 3.8 GPA and am very proud of my accomplishments thus far. I have 18 months until I graduate and have already started looking for employment. Live is good. ***]

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[ej2441]

I am finishing a PhD at 60. While the schedule is grueling and required me to find out income resources, most of the time, I am really pleased. Make sure you have a good support system. Online is convenient, but you can be isolated. Brick and mortar classes provide opportunities to connect with students and faculty, but require a specific time commitment. I teach at a university with a lot of adult learners. I found that their "lives" and activities tended to interfere with their educational commitments. If you do this, know that textbooks are expensive. Depending on your coursework, there are agencies that will pay some student loan balances, and don't forget scholarships. Grad school education expenses are tax-deductible, and so is student loan interest in some cases, check with your accountant.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

(3/22/24) @ej2441  , are you all finished or still in school?  🤔  Your post is an INSPIRATION!!!  👵

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[*** @ej2441 wrote:
I am finishing a PhD at 60. While the schedule is grueling and required me to find out income resources, most of the time, I am really pleased. Make sure you have a good support system. Online is convenient, but you can be isolated. Brick and mortar classes provide opportunities to connect with students and faculty, but require a specific time commitment. I teach at a university with a lot of adult learners. I found that their "lives" and activities tended to interfere with their educational commitments. If you do this, know that textbooks are expensive. Depending on your coursework, there are agencies that will pay some student loan balances, and don't forget scholarships. Grad school education expenses are tax-deductible, and so is student loan interest in some cases, check with your accountant. ***]

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[db1141586]

Well, first of all I completed my 4 1/2 year journey to my PHD in Education via online, in 2013. It was arduous, but I feel  good that at then age 60, I had begun and finished "a good work." Since then I have tried unsuccessfully to gain a full-time position in higher education. I only have a part-time adjunct position at a community college. Needless to say, I struggle and have encountered age discrimination in my job pursuit. I hope that things change in 2016.

[cmartina]

My advice is to go for it.   Already having a masters in psychology, I decided that I wanted to pursue a new masters in the business school last year.  Since my first masters was before the internet existed,  I very much wanted to know what kind of student I could be with an on-line program.  With full time work, I'm not putting any pressure on myself so I am taking only one class at a time.  My current position is very demanding and requires some travel so handling more than one course at a time would be unrealistic at this time.  The University waived the GMATs and a couple of classes due to my years of work of experience and previous Masters; all of which helps.  Although the program is on-line, you do need to get on line once  a week with the professor and class, sometimes with video.  While I am always honest about my years of experience and why I've decided to pursue the program, the professors and students have been more than accepting.  I am really enjoying the program.  

I highly recommend you explore this opportunity for yourself so that you go in with your eyes wide open.  Set reasonable expectations for yourself.  Then, have fun and enjoy.  Good luck. 

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

(3/22/24) @cmartina  , are you all finished or still in school?  🤔  Your post is an INSPIRATION!!!  👵

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[*** @cmartina wrote:

My advice is to go for it.   Already having a masters in psychology, I decided that I wanted to pursue a new masters in the business school last year.  Since my first masters was before the internet existed,  I very much wanted to know what kind of student I could be with an on-line program.  With full time work, I'm not putting any pressure on myself so I am taking only one class at a time.  My current position is very demanding and requires some travel so handling more than one course at a time would be unrealistic at this time.  The University waived the GMATs and a couple of classes due to my years of work of experience and previous Masters; all of which helps.  Although the program is on-line, you do need to get on line once  a week with the professor and class, sometimes with video.  While I am always honest about my years of experience and why I've decided to pursue the program, the professors and students have been more than accepting.  I am really enjoying the program.  

I highly recommend you explore this opportunity for yourself so that you go in with your eyes wide open.  Set reasonable expectations for yourself.  Then, have fun and enjoy.  Good luck. ***]

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[cp8737295]

I was a social activist sacrificing my resources on behalf of others for most of my adult life. When I started thinking about retirement, I decided to return to school. I earned a Social Science Ph.D. at age 62 and am currently teaching fulltime. My gameplan calls for working until age 77 and retiring after I qualify for public service employees loan forgiveness for my substantial student debt. Since I have multiple relatives who lived into their 90s and 100s, and since I have no major health issues at 69, I feel that I made an excellent choice.

In my case, I had a relatively unique background that gained a bit of respect initially from some of my fellow students. But by the middle of the first term, I think that the quality of my particpation in the program took over and I was primarily judged based on that.

Regarding online vs. in person courses, you should take an online course to see if that mode of learning fits you. If you do decide to do online, I would strongly recommend taking your course of study from an established conventional university.  If your degree is identifiable as from online, it may be seen as of less value than a sheepskin from a conventional school.  On the other hand, I have seen a number of folks with jobs gain promotions and otherwise improve their exisiting job situation by earning online degrees. However, I wonder whether finding a new job with a new online degree and no experience in that area might be problematic.

If you are fiercely determined to finish your graduate studies, I say go for it!

[24CaliGal]

I started grad school at the beginning of 2015, after being out of college for 35 years. I wanted to ensure whatever I chose it could be translated into any industry or job that was of interest. So, I took about a year to attend open house sessions for a half dozen programs within the large area I reside within. I decided on a Master of Arts in Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational behavior. It has been a wild ride. I'm in a hybrid program of 22-24 months (depending on your specialization), with Executive Weekends and online work. You can live anywhere but you must be able to connect for group projects and research papers, and of course for EW's. I'm the oldest in my cohort, and it was tough at first, still is, but I find it refreshing with other younger adult learners, some recently out of the military, some law enforcement, some professional sports organizations, real estate, and corporate folks. It's a nice mixture and we all bring something to the table to learn from.
I come out of Higher Ed (not teaching) in Operations, space design and construction management, and being a women of a certain age, I'd like to ensure the skills I currently have are enhanced for whatever my next adventure is after this one, that I'm not yet done with.
It is a stretch with all the reading and writing again, much more substantial than when I was in college years ago, but I was ready for the challenge. My advice is to check out programs that are around your area, local universities first so you can have the easy campus commute, and ensure it is course work that is needed for the future. I'm having so much fun, half done now, and this program has already made a difference in me, how I show up with others, and that I'll be ready for any next step that will come my way.
The process is as you'd imagine, letters of recommendations, transcripts of college, application and a letter of interest to the program.
I wouldn't change my course of grad school at 57 for anything. Go for it! You'll find out what you're made of, that's for sure!!

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

(3/22/24) @24CaliGal , are you all finished or still in school?  🤔  Your post is an INSPIRATION!!!  👵

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[*** @24CaliGal wrote:
I started grad school at the beginning of 2015, after being out of college for 35 years. I wanted to ensure whatever I chose it could be translated into any industry or job that was of interest. So, I took about a year to attend open house sessions for a half dozen programs within the large area I reside within. I decided on a Master of Arts in Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational behavior. It has been a wild ride. I'm in a hybrid program of 22-24 months (depending on your specialization), with Executive Weekends and online work. You can live anywhere but you must be able to connect for group projects and research papers, and of course for EW's. I'm the oldest in my cohort, and it was tough at first, still is, but I find it refreshing with other younger adult learners, some recently out of the military, some law enforcement, some professional sports organizations, real estate, and corporate folks. It's a nice mixture and we all bring something to the table to learn from.
I come out of Higher Ed (not teaching) in Operations, space design and construction management, and being a women of a certain age, I'd like to ensure the skills I currently have are enhanced for whatever my next adventure is after this one, that I'm not yet done with.
It is a stretch with all the reading and writing again, much more substantial than when I was in college years ago, but I was ready for the challenge. My advice is to check out programs that are around your area, local universities first so you can have the easy campus commute, and ensure it is course work that is needed for the future. I'm having so much fun, half done now, and this program has already made a difference in me, how I show up with others, and that I'll be ready for any next step that will come my way.
The process is as you'd imagine, letters of recommendations, transcripts of college, application and a letter of interest to the program.
I wouldn't change my course of grad school at 57 for anything. Go for it! You'll find out what you're made of, that's for sure!! ***]

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[lisw]

I graduated with a masters degree at 58 with a new license. 

I had some issues with finding employment. They wanted someone under 35 yr old. I had and old face with new credentials. 

I had to relocate temporally. 

I was able to work for 10 years. My husband became I'll so I am not working for now. But I do have my license and can go back .

I continue keeping my skills current by reading and confrences.

My mother earned her CCRN after 55.

Going back to school is better than poverty. 

[mp9271]

I am 58. I may go to law school next fall. My interest lie in inner city community improvement. I see a law degree as a helpful tool in improving circumstances. I am going to attend live classes. I dred taking the LSAT.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

(3/23/24) @mp9721 , did you return to school? 🤔

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[*** @mp9271 wrote:

I am 58. I may go to law school next fall. My interest lie in inner city community improvement. I see a law degree as a helpful tool in improving circumstances. I am going to attend live classes. I dred taking the LSAT. ***]

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[msgchuck]

I completed a bachelor degree online in March 2015 when I was still 60 years old. It took me 3 years attending classes online part-time and I accumulated $26,000 of student loan debt. But I actually enjoyed going to school and I was able to graduate summa cumme laude. When attending classes online there is still some student interaction. I believe it was a history class when I posted an answer to a question that I remembered when it happened because I was around and several students commented that it was nice to have someone in the class that was around at that time and could relate from their personal experiences. Now at 61 I have been thinking about an starting a Masters Program but I don't want the extra debt.  

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

(3/23/24) @msgchuck , did you return to school? 🤔

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[***  @msgchuck wrote:

I completed a bachelor degree online in March 2015 when I was still 60 years old. It took me 3 years attending classes online part-time and I accumulated $26,000 of student loan debt. But I actually enjoyed going to school and I was able to graduate summa cumme laude. When attending classes online there is still some student interaction. I believe it was a history class when I posted an answer to a question that I remembered when it happened because I was around and several students commented that it was nice to have someone in the class that was around at that time and could relate from their personal experiences. Now at 61 I have been thinking about an starting a Masters Program but I don't want the extra debt.  ***]

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[mp52353529]

I received my doctorate at age 58. I have connections with all generations. It was a lot of hard work, very worthwhile, and inspirational. Do not let age be a barrier. I have reimagined myself in yet another career at age 63. Like Nike, just do it!!

[apartrid]

I also was in IT until I was forced to retire in 2007. I was a consultant for another couple of years and moved to Florida. I floundered around for a couple of years until a friend suggested I go into education (since I had a math degree). Since then I got my temporary teaching certificate and went back to an alternative certification program. I am now in my third year of teaching high school math, have my permanent certificate. I have school loans which I am in the third year of a 10 year public service forgiveness program. It was a good decision for me and I feel like I am truly making a difference in my students lives. Education doesn't look down on seniors, they actually embrace them!

[kanda]

At this time I am not looking at grad school, but will be graduating in May with my Bacholors Degree in Health Care Managment. The school where I am a student is National American University in South Dekota. I am an on line student and really have enjoyed the on line experience and have had a wonderful staff to work with. I do know that they have a Graduate Program and would highly recommend this school.

[mlavoie]

That depends, if you are going to grad school because you enjoy learning and can afford it. Grad school can be a lot of fun, it is challenging and keeps the mind alive with new information. However, if you are not yet financially stable and are thinking about changing careers, think again. I went to grad school, got a masters in nursing science, I enjoyed the education but as far as jobs go it is not worth it. I ended up with a large student debt and am back in the job I did before. I make more money as a staff nurse than what I coud make as an instructor, and other jobs are difficult to get because of my age.

[lk27678018]

My above comment was for an above entry. Sorry. What Sr. Citizen scholarship did you apply for and how did you find our about it? Thx.

[LivingADayAtATime]

There are many scholarships for seniors.  Many states offer students no or low cost options to go take college credits or audit courses.  You will probably need to google your own state's programs.  According to Collegescholarips.org:

"States that currently offer tuition waivers for some of their public colleges are: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Virginia, and Washington, D.C."

Also many community colleges offer lots of scholarships/work opportunities for all students.  The community college we went to offered scholarships to seniors as long as the fund had money that semestier-it covered about 1/3 of the class cost. It wasn't a hard application form-just one page.

We did two Americorp programs.  That work provided us with over 6,000 dollars in tuition awards.  The programs we did also gave us an opportunity to work and hike in California and Alaska.

The future is now.  If you are wishing that you had finisned those last two courses to get your degree maybe the time is now.  If you have always been interested in  ??? but had to support your family-maybe learning about it will work out now.

The folks we met in our classes were really nice.  We learned from there expertise and they learned from ours.  There were some funny times-like when one of our classmates asked us what we did over the weekend and we said we celebrated our anniversary.  He asked how long we had been married and we could see him mentally calculating - they have been married more than twice as long as I have been alive.  Great way to stay yound and involved.

[retiredtraveler]

"...The folks we met in our classes were really nice.  We learned from there expertise and they learned from ours....".

   Ok. Everyone had a fun experience. What is the employment rate? That is, did everyone get jobs or just have a nice experience? 

[lk27678018]

Aren't you concerned about owing $80 ,000?

[LivingADayAtATime]

My husband and I went back for an associates degree at a local college.  Although we could have enrolled in a Masters program, we wanted more hands on work than a masters program would have prepared us for.  It was great.  It took a little while to get back into the habit of studying and tests but it was well worth it.  We are in our 60s and have had some really great seasonal jobs since then.  The students and profs were all younger than us - it worked out fine.  We were totally accepted.  We used money from Americorp work to pay for much of our schooling.  We also got senior citizen scholarships.

There is a fantastic world of opportunities out there. 

[lenora61]

Please help me. I'm retired and attempted getting my college degree. I have been trying to find funding for school since I've registered. I'm on a fixed income every little bit helps. I live in Pa. so could you please e-mail me any information that could help, thanks           

[jc2385226]

I AM IN A MASTERS PROGRAM FOR PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING,  MY UNDERGRAD WAS IN SCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY,  I AM GOING IN TO MY FOURTH SEMESTER BUT WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.  I AM LOOKING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO FUND MY PROGRAM SO THAT I CAN FINISH EARLIER THAN 2024 WHICH IS WHEN I WILL FINISH AT THE RATE I AM GOING! ONE COURSE A SEMESTER.  I NEED HELP WITH SCHOLARSHIP MONEY.  CAN ANYONE HELP ME?

[jc2385226]

I AM ADDING TO MY PREVIOUS POST THAT I AM 69 AND ON SOCIAL SECURITY. BLESSED AND LOOKING TO TAKE MY MINISTRY TO ANOTHER LEVEL BY GETTING MASTERS. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF SITE TO APPLY OR ANY RESOURCES AT ALL PLEASE SHARE. THANKS!

[cf476]

I have worked via a M.A. in family and consumer resources, in a 30 year career path that included being a Registered Dietitian, Health Educator, food columnist and college health and humanities instructor. During the 2010 AARP Convention in LA I took the challenge to "reinvent" myself and pursue a long deferred dream. Instead of going for another graduate degree after 50 I enrolled in a hands on B.Sc, program in Digital Cinema and Video Production at the Art Institute of CA (initially the Santa Monica campus; now the N. Hollywood campus). It has been fantastically rewarding. there were some physical challenges in lifting some gear, but younger students quickly begn to step in to give me lighter objects to carry when doing team projects. Between my start in 2011 and my upcoming graduation in March 2016 I have created three short documentaries, two narrative short films, had a portfolio film screened at the International Film Festival of Cinematic Arts, at my 50th hight school reunion, and at my church. I am happier with the skills and absolute personal happiness with learning something that was considered "too impractical" during my initial college education. People have asked why "at your age" are you doing another undergraduate degree rather than pursuing a doctorate. (I have been awarded an honorary doctorate in religious humanities for health work with underserved communities, however the degree is not the most important thing to me right now). Unfortunately the Institute's financial Aid department did not have or offer to help identify grants available for people over 50. 

I have a new student loan debt of over 80.000, but I feel rich with what I have learned and the opportunity it has given me to re-enter the job market confident that I can collaborate or compete with milleniums. Passion rather than age should be the determining factor in deciding whether to go back to college after age 50. i'm 69.