3 reasons why an accelerated postgrad programme is the right choice for you

In an age of instant gratification, the idea of a fast-tracked education may seem appealing to most. For example, the SMU Global Master of Finance dual-degree programme offers both a Master of Science in Finance from Washington University and the Master of Science in Applied Finance from Singapore Management University in a short period of 14 months.

For high achievers hoping to earn their post-graduate degrees in just a year or less, the SMU MSc in Financial Economics (MFE) and MSc in Economics (MSE) programmes take 10 months each; while the ​​Master of Laws, MSc in Applied Finance (MAF), MSc in Quantitative Finance (MQF), MSc in Wealth Management (MWM), MSc in Communication Management (MCM), Master of Human Capital Leadership (MHCL) are year-long programmes.

Considering how management and strategy master’s graduates earn 24 per cent more than their bachelor degree-holding counterparts, and law master’s grads enjoy a 28 per cent average pay bump, taking a little over a year out to further one’s studies might be an investment worth considering for longer-term returns.

Here are some reasons why an accelerated programme works for you, or why a more traditional programme duration (some of which allow for straddling work and school) might be more on point.

1. Save time and cover more

Although we may be hardwired to believe that the longer the time we spend on a subject, the better we are at being adept at it, the innovative curriculum and interactive pedagogy of SMU post-graduate programmes are thoughtfully designed to help students grasp and apply relevant knowledge in real-world situations.

Highly focused and specialised to meet the demands of today’s fast-changing workforce, every postgraduate programme features a unique seminar-style pedagogy to hone “hard” critical and analytical skills and sharpen and “soft” articulation, presentation, and leadership competencies.

Furthermore, students can deepen their acuity, broaden their networks, and accelerate the growth of leadership skills with the University’s Professional Development Series (PDS), as well as gain relevant insights from Asian case studies. The PDS brings together students from different postgraduate programmes and provides the opportunity to connect and interact through workshops, while gaining insights and knowledge on topics beyond their scope of studies.

2. Faster career progression and attainment of personal growth goals

Mid-careerists who plan to take a break from work to pursue a full-time postgraduate programme, or even fresh graduates who aim to further their academic achievements prior to entering the workforce, will be drawn to accelerated programmes with a shorter duration.

Those already in employment or have kickstarted their careers, who may not have been provided with the opportunity by their company to pursue part-time studies may want to minimise the time spent away from their professional fields, as well as the opportunity cost of forgoing their salary while pursuing further education. Others who may prefer to dedicate a fixed period to wholly focus on their studies would also benefit from an accelerated, full-time programme.

While several arguments may be made for enrolling in a master’s programme later in life — prior work background may enrich one’s academic experience, for example — graduates who are certain about their career trajectory and hope to bank on skillsets acquired during their undergraduate studies may decide on doing a master’s straight after graduation. Rather than delay their entry into the corporate or business world, a shorter master’s programme will allow such candidates to be ready for the workforce in mere months. The Master of Science in Management (MiM) programme is suitable for fresh graduates without prior experience to pick up the relevant skills, before joining the workforce.

3. Keep in "the zone" of intense study

If you are someone who enjoys deep diving into a certain topic or trouble compartmentalising your priorities — such as dividing your time between work commitments and rigorous study — an accelerated, full-time programme is perfect. Similarly, fresh grads considering an immediate jump into a master’s programme may have found certain areas in their undergraduate degree particularly fascinating and hope to explore it in greater detail and depth during their master’s, while the material is still fresh in their minds — without putting their career ambitions on hold for an extended duration.

The “student mode” aspect part of an accelerated programme translates into being hyper-focused on the rich learning environment provided by an accelerated postgraduate programme, rather than having to bounce back from breaks and downtime or switching from being a corporate climber by day and an ace student after hours.

Fast trackers will appreciate the immersion into specialised domains through programme structures like the intensive study blocks offered by the MSc in Wealth Management (MWM) programme, which comprises of classes, assignments, case studies, field trips, projects, team activities, evening talks and social gatherings.

Due to multiple opportunities to engage with the world’s leading corporate communication faculty members and industry practitioners, accelerated programmes also provide students with insights into industry realities, preparing them to become innovative leaders in various industries, without sacrificing our most precious commodity — time.

However, if being able to take a break from work or postponing further studies is not an option, SMU also empowers its students with the flexibility to chart their own postgraduate experience. The University offers part-time courses ranging from 12 to 18 months, such that students have the privilege of getting the most out of their programme while spending as little time away from work as possible. Whatever your preference, lifelong learning is always a worthy investment — the way in which you wish to customise your learning journey lies in your hands.