The document outlines 8 major events that have shaped graduate education throughout history. It discusses how graduate education developed from European universities in the Middle Ages, which offered master's and doctorate degrees after 6 years of bachelor's study. It then covers the rise of organized research at German universities in the 19th century, the development of graduate programs in the US in the late 19th century led by Johns Hopkins University, and the growth of administrative management and funding systems for graduate education through the 20th century. Finally, it discusses changes to graduate education today, including its prevalence and the increased expectation for a master's degree for many career paths.

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History of Graduate
Education
By: Lindee Treweek
HCS-504
September 11, 2014
Sheela Alvarado

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8 Major Events to Shape Graduate
Education:
1. European and Medieval Universities (up to 15th century)

Bachelor’s degree took 6 years

Arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music theory, grammar, logic,
and rhetoric

12 additional years for a Master’s or Doctorate degree

Choose between law, medicine, or theology (Wikipedia 2014)
2. German Humboldtian Science (19th century, 1850-1870’s)
 German scientist and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt
 Combined empirical data with holistic views of nature
 Concepts aided modern day graduate education with organized
research; research, teach, study (Clark 1993)

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Continued…
3. American Graduate Education Gains Stability (late 19th
century)
 John Hopkins University and Clark University developed missions
that helped structure graduate education (1876-1889)
 Hopkins became known for “prototype and propagator,” research
a significant university role
 Advanced study still often required a trip to Germany into the 1870’s
 Doctoral education now a possible goal
 First doctoral in education for the U.S. believed to be in 1861,
Yale’s Sheffield Scientific School
(Clark 1993)

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Continued…
4. Administrative Management (1890’s)
 Momentum continues with increased staff and efficiency of graduate
education expands
 Stanford, Chicago, Harvard, Columbia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan
 Development of administrative boards to manage growth
5. Organizational Efforts Develop (1900’s)
 Association of American Universities developed
 Committed to development of graduate education and research
(Clark 1993)
 Followed the European model to offer doctorates
 By 1900, 14 Ph.D. institutions offering graduate studies
 Year 1900 produced 300 Ph.D.’s
(Clark 1993)

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Continued…
6. Funding Systems Develop
 1800-early 1900’s through philanthropic funds
 Foundations developed for voluntary contributions
 WWII era lead to government support
 Research largely paid for by federal government (Clark 1993)

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Continued…
7. Contemporary Changes to Graduate Education
 Federal funds now primary source
 Programs subject to alterations, as in the 1970’s
 Economic and political forces
 Loan assistance programs develop due to decline in federal
funding
 15% of students used loans in 1974
 44% used loans in 1984 (Clark 1993)
 70% plus use loans today (USNews 2012)
 1980’s with 1.5 million graduate students enrolled
 Approximately 40% are foreign students (Clark 1993)

7. +
Continued…
8. Graduate Education Today
 Considered to be highly developed in America compared to most
countries
 Germany still uses gradual system of moving students to graduate
studies
 American grad system transitions students after a sharp break of
completing undergraduate education (Clark 1993)
 Now, most European universities offer master’s degrees that follow
the American model
 Students have a better chance in the international market
(Wikipedia 2014)

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Terminology Over Time:
 Graduate- This refers to someone who has finished a program
or course of study, and some type of award or certification is
received. For the U.S., this term is not only used for the
university level, unlike most countries.
 Graduate Education- This typically follows a bachelor’s degree,
and is a program that leads to a masters or doctoral degree.
 Higher Education- This is an optional final stage of education
after secondary education.
 Postgraduate- This refers to learning and studying for degrees,
where a bachelor’s was most likely needed first
(Wikipedia 2014)

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Why Graduate School?
1. Bachelor’s degree alone is increasingly not enough to get
certain jobs
2. Enjoyment of school, challenges, and rewards
3. Increased employment opportunities, more sought after
4. Increased chance for career advancement
5. Financial reward, rewarding to self
6. Increased recognition and credibility
(USNews 2012)

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Typical Identity of Grad Student:
 The graduated student is typically someone who has been in
the workforce for several years, and is now ready for more
challenge.
 This is someone who has this uncompleted goal. It’s a goal for
personal, professional, and even possible financial growth.
 A graduate student has a desire to learn, even when it’s a
challenging time already with family, children, and jobs.
(USNews 2012)

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How has society’s view of graduate
education changed?
 In the 1980’s, a Bachelor’s degree was enough for most career
options.
 Since the 2000’s, a Master’s level of schooling is needed for
most jobs, especially if advancement is desired.
 Society views graduate education as increasing someone’s
credibility while gaining professional recognition.
(USNews 2012)

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Why is the event significant in
shaping graduate education?
 The event of increasing credibility with a graduate education is
significant. It not only boosts someone’s own moral about the
education level received, but also the society’s perception of
the education obtained.
 Dr. Don Martin states, “It says something about who you are
and the dedication you have to your chosen field.” (USNews
2012)

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References
Clark, B. (1993). The Research Foundations of Graduate Education;
Germany, Britain, France, United States, Japan. Berkeley And
Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.
Graduate education. (2014). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_School
Why graduate school pays off. (2012). In US News. Retrieved from
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools