Higher Education: Investment in Yourself Brings Lifetime Returns

A University education is more than four extra years of school, or a piece of paper that says one has graduated. It's not only a tool to invest in oneself, but a means of discovering what one wants — and how one can keep it.

Between the first class day and the moment students collect their diploma, a University education is an expedition of exploration to worlds within and without, to places imagined and real.

But rest assured, there are real world implications to securing a degree, of course. Projected incomes for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees are predictably higher compared to high school and two-year degrees.

Consider the results of a study released by the U.S. Census: adults with a master’s degree or higher earned an annual salary four times more than those with less than a high school diploma—about $82,000 compared to $21,000. Those with a bachelor’s degree earned an annual salary of about $57,000, while those with a high school diploma earned about $31,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggests individuals considering a career in nursing should weigh their options carefully. A bachelor’s degree is often necessary for administrative positions. It is also a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs and advanced practice nursing specialties. Individuals who complete a bachelor’s receive more training in areas such as communication, leadership and critical thinking.

Education beyond a bachelor’s may also help students looking to enter certain fields or increase advancement opportunities; some career paths are open only to nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

At TAMIU, students can discover themselves, using their mind as a tool to solve problems and change their world. TAMIU is a comprehensive four-year, State-assisted institution. As a regional University of choice, TAMIU offers over 70 undergraduate or graduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, education, and business.

New students can visit tamiu.edu/prospect for a special Web site geared to the needs of entering freshmen, graduate, international or transfer students.

TAMIU’s First Year Success Program helps students get the most from classes and be successful students. Tutors can help them conquer the most intimidating subjects, whether English literature or chemistry. The University’s learning communities link students by clustering them in two or more University courses, often using an interdisciplinary theme or problem, to help them forge a tight-knit community that learns together.

Academic Anchoring gets freshmen students into an academic mindset, helps them to navigate their way through expectations and the services available to them and even provides a guide to getting around on the growing campus.

The Office of Financial Aid helps make a University education affordable, and the Office of Career Services focuses on employment, both during school and after graduation.

The University prides itself on developing programs that address the needs of its regional service area. Recent undergraduate additions have included programs in Communication Disorders and Systems Engineering. Early Medical School Admission Programs, in addition to Pre-Law Programs, are growing in popularity.

Recent graduate additions have included an M.S. in nursing, M.S. in biology, M.S. in psychology and M.S. in mathematics. A graduate level concentration in Fitness and Sports is now available through the TAMIU College of Education.

TAMIU offers the nation's first Master of Business Administration in International Trade, and a Ph.D. program in International Business Administration.

Collaborative Ph.D. programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Education Administration, English and Hispanic Studies are offered in conjunction with other Texas A&M University System campuses.

Fall 2009 classes begin Aug. 24.

For more information, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 326.2250, e-mail registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 168.

Complete schedules, catalog and additional registration information is available at tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu