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By: Jonna Jorgensen

Graduation: check; Job: un-check.

What?! No job after graduation?

You They did it! Graduation is right around the corner.  The cap and gown are ordered, and it’s time for your college graduate to start their dream job… right? Perhaps not quite. That’s okay. Don’t panic…at least not yet!  Their Gonzaga education has prepared them to enter the workforce, but the reality is the job market can be tough. While you and your graduate consider the next step, we may have the answer you’re looking for – a master’s degree.

A recent New York Times article titled The Master’s as the New Bachelor’s, states that the master’s is now the fastest-growing degree. The number awarded has more than doubled since the 1980s, and the rate of increase has quickened substantially in the last couple of years, says Debra W. Stewart, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. Laura Georgianna, in charge of employee development at Welch Allyn, confirms that given two otherwise equal résumés, the master’s wins. “It says that this person is committed and dedicated to the work and has committed to the deep dive. It gives you further assurance that this is something they have thought about and want.”

Gonzaga has many different master’s degrees – some are on campus and some are online. One particular master’s degree is ideal for recent grads – our M.A. in Communication & Leadership Studies (COML). Its flexible design of online, on-campus, and hybrid courses allows your graduate to gain valuable job experience while simultaneously working on a master’s degree that can set them apart from their peers and jump start that dream job.  This means they could start on campus in Spokane, snag that job, and still continue their studies online wherever they go.

Over 50% of Gonzaga COML graduates took on new work responsibilities, and 32% indicated that they were promoted within the first year of earning their degree.

Our graduates work in a variety of industries such as public relations, marketing, public service, broadcast and news media, human resources, health care, and many more.

We think the unique combination of the COML degree with both communication and leadership studies provides an excellent opportunity for your student to continue their Jesuit education and flourish in today’s highly competitive job market. Here are some highlights of the COML Program:

  • Multi-disciplinary experience integrating communication and leadership with practical application strategies
  • Study Abroad (Italy, Ireland, and more) and domestic immersion experiences
  • Emphasis available in College Teaching in Communication
  • Graduate assistantships available
  • Ranked Top 4 Regional University in the West by U.S. News & World Report
  • Named “Most Innovative Program” by the National Communication Association, 2010

For more information about how your student can receive free transcript waiver, application fee waiver, waived MAT requirement, and accelerate their start into the M.A. in Communication & Leadership Studies Program, contact us at: 866.380.5323, guonlineadmissions@gonzaga.edu, or explore more program options at online.gonzaga.edu. Deadlines are fast approaching.

During this time of celebration and uncertainty it’s good to know there are options. Whatever path your recent graduate takes, they are a Zag for life, and Gonzaga will be here to help them along the way.

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