Attend a four-year college and fulfill the requirements for a bachelor's degree. Declare a major in the field of study that you wish to pursue in the master's program. Many programs will look at your grade point average when considering you for graduate-level programs, so great care should be taken to achieve good grades during the undergraduate coursework. Excellent grades often leads to scholarship opportunities as well, making the master's degree program far more affordable or possible free of charge.
Sign up to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) if your program of interest requires one of the tests. Prepare for it carefully. These examinations are the path to graduate school whether you want to pursue a master's or a Ph.D. The GRE test is the most common graduate entrance exam and is made up of sections on analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning. The GMAT is more common in business programs, such as those geared toward acquiring an master in business administration (MBA). The GMAT is aimed at testing job skills, knowledge of business and your undergraduate field of study.
Obtain and study some of the available preparation guides before taking the test. The GRE and GMAT may be unlike any testing you have completed since the ACT in high school, but they will be more difficult. Most students with a bachelor's education will be able to achieve satisfactory results if proper steps are taken to prepare.
These tests is available at computer-based test centers all over the country. Requirements for programs vary, so be sure to inquire about requirements and local testing locations at your college or university admissions office.
Research the programs you are interested in and apply before the deadlines for the next term. Do not apply to one program only. It is a good idea to have at least two graduate programs that you would like to attend. In the event that you are not accepted by one program, you will still have other programs to choose from.
Dedicate yourself to the workload of the master's program in which you are enrolled. Most post-graduate programs involve a significant investment of time and money. Keep your career goals in mind as you complete the coursework. Many master's candidates also work full time during their schooling, and the demands it puts on your social life can be discouraging. The ability to stick it out, develop a passion for your course of study and complete the program with high marks will likely lead to a more satisfying work life.