Undergraduate School
* Focus: Provides a foundational education in a chosen field of study. You earn a bachelor's degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science).
* Level: Typically the first level of higher education after high school.
* Duration: Usually 4 years (though some programs can be shorter or longer).
* Curriculum: Broader, covering a variety of subjects within a major and general education requirements.
* Career Goals: Often aimed at preparing students for entry-level positions in their chosen field or for further education.
* Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (like SAT/ACT), and GPA.
Graduate School
* Focus: Advanced, specialized study in a chosen field. You earn a master's degree (e.g., Master of Arts, Master of Science) or a doctorate (e.g., PhD, EdD).
* Level: Further education after an undergraduate degree.
* Duration: Typically 1-3 years for a master's degree, 4-7 years (or more) for a doctorate.
* Curriculum: Intense and focused, delving deeply into a specialized area of study. Often involves research, thesis or dissertation writing, and independent work.
* Career Goals: Prepares students for advanced roles, research, teaching, or leadership positions in their chosen field.
* Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree, strong GPA, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores (like GRE, GMAT), and often, a statement of purpose outlining research interests.
In a Nutshell
Think of undergraduate school as building the foundation, while graduate school is specialized construction on top of that foundation.