Professional master's programs are not for everyone. But there is a host of alternatives--from short courses and conferences to seminars, professional certification programs, graduate certificate programs and independent study--for continuing your IT education (see "Certification Equation," for more on certification programs). And if you're seriously considering formal graduate degrees, don't limit your thinking to certain types until you've clarified your goals.

Studying for a graduate professional degree is a commitment to personal change. It's not just about getting more information or learning new skills; it's about becoming something other than you are today. Are you rusty on the technical skills needed to advance? Do you lack the information-management training needed to move to the executive level or to plan systems and supervise others? What are your strengths? What are the areas in which you could improve?

Aside from the reputation of the university from which you'll graduate or the kind of degree you'll have when you're done, reflect on the components of the educational process. Education is a series of interactions between teacher and students, among students, and between the individual and the specific curriculum presented. These interactions should stimulate critical thinking--from recognizing problems to assessing solutions critically. The fact that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) just announced it will put all its course materials on the Web--including syllabi and what is taught at each point during the course--should tell you something: Content may be king, but process is everything. Fact is, anyone can see what MIT is teaching--it's all disclosed. Missing are the teachers and the students, and that is MIT's value-add. You can't copy it; you simply have to go to MIT. In the end, you can't duplicate an MIT course--it's a transaction, a transformation created by the best faculty interacting with the best students in the best facilities. Now that's education.

FYI Technical support remains the most in-demand job by IT and non-IT companies alike, accounting for 25% of all new positions, despite a 65% drop in demand over last year. -- ITAA

Top Teachers

Professors are a critical component of graduate education. Your professors provide structure and guidance and help build understanding. As you consider a particular program, look at the faculty list. Do the professors have degrees from good universities? Are they well known in the field? Have they published anything you've read? Do they have any industry background or experience? And what do you know about the adjunct faculty? Universities often attract top guns from industry as adjunct professors, and these instructors can make a critical difference in your learning experience. You'll need to do a little digging to get the answers to these questions, but the effort will be worth it. Start with the university's Web site, then talk to any staffers who seem helpful and interested in your education.

Regular academic faculty and adjunct faculty both add important elements to the educational experience, as each approaches professional problems from a different perspective. A good blend of academics and real-world experience makes a strong program; avoid programs that provide only one or the other. And adjuncts can be valuable contacts for you later on as you attempt to advance your career.

The Student Factor

Although it may not seem as obvious, the quality of the students is as important as the quality of the faculty. This is why admissions committees are always trying to raise the bar. If you aim low or apply to a school with lower standards just for the easy ride, you'll probably find the ride boring as well. As with any important decision, research the programs you're considering thoroughly to discover where you'll fit into the mix.

If you have young children or friends with young kids, you've probably heard about learning "readiness." Kids must be at a certain developmental stage to learn certain skills. Think of your own background and experience; give yourself enough time on the job to develop your readiness. The best answers flow from good questions, so make sure you've had enough time on the job to have developed good questions before returning to school. Also, look into the readiness of your potential classmates. Try to get an idea of the other students' experience level by asking the program admissions personnel about the percentage of students with prior experience. As in sports, the quality of your teammates can make the winning difference.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Next, consider the university's facilities, laboratories and research-and-development centers. Ivy-covered walls may be attractive, but ivy-covered technology is not. And a school's name and reputation are important, but they do not tell the whole story. Do your best to get to the campus and check things out firsthand before making any commitments.

Although a school's R&D center, government and industry grants or contracts may not seem important to your learning, they are. They demonstrate that the faculty is on the cutting edge. The nature of our business cries out for you to work on projects and systems you'll see in the field. There's nothing more impressive during a new technology rollout than saying not only are you familiar with the technology but you've actually worked with the prototype.

Beyond the lab, select a program that finds good internships for its graduate students. Many IT internships are paid and can be done part time--summers, evenings or alternate Saturdays, for instance (see "Making Your Internship Program Pay Off"). There's nothing like application (educators call it active learning) to make those lessons really take root. Taking your classroom learning, your own solid work experience and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and applying them in a new and "safe" internship environment is as good as it gets. And remember, the networks you develop as a student can mean a lot in your future. Once you've completed your degree the best you can do is apply your knowledge and skills to a great new job.

On that score, your next step when checking out a program is to find out about its placement record. Does the the school have professionals helping graduates find excellent positions? Where have other graduates been placed, and what is the school's placement rate? For answers to these questions, talk to the placement staff at the university.

Finally, when reflecting on your need for an IT graduate education, keep in mind what you want out of an advanced degree--and whether you need one. Quick and easy isn't the answer. "No pain, no gain" applies as easily to education as to athletics. Simply translated, you get as much out of your education as you put into it.