You may have already wondered if there is a right time to enter a master's degree. For this reason, FGV Notícias interviewed Professor Thomaz Wood Junior, coordinator of the professional doctorate at the São Paulo School of Administration (FGV EAESP) to understand the appropriate context for entering the Stricto Sensu course model.

The Master's and Doctorate courses at Fundação Getulio Vargas are a benchmark of excellence in Brazil and the rest of the world, training distinguished professionals and high-level researchers who make a difference in society.

Therefore, entering a master's degree will depend on your career orientation and the program you choose. If the Master is academic, admission can be done early, after graduation or, if you prefer, a few years later. As for the professional master's degree, the guideline is to acquire some experience in the area, including in initial leadership roles.

Check out the full interview with Professor Thomaz Junior below. In addition to the right time to enroll in the course, he also highlighted the differences between the professional and academic master's degrees and gave some tips on the steps to enroll.

• When to enter a professional master's degree and when to enter an academic one?

The option for one or another postgraduate modality depends on the career orientation. Academic master  's and doctoral degrees  are aimed at training teachers and researchers. The  professional master's and doctoral degrees  are aimed at training high-level managers and executives.

• In the case of the professional master's degree, some experience in the market is required. Would you know how much practice time is “required” to enroll in the professional master's degree?

 Professional master 's students  today have, on average, 12 years of professional experience. The course is indicated from eight years of graduation training.

• Where and how can a researcher act? Many are interested in the Academic, in research, but do not want to work in the teaching career. What are the professional opportunities for a researcher?

Almost all students who complete an academic postgraduate course (master's and mainly doctorate) in business administration at FGV EAESP aim to pursue a career as a teacher and researcher.

Some eventually pursue a career in research institutes, social organizations and government agencies. This movement may be a little more frequent in public administration.

• When is the right time to join the master's degree?

Entry into the  academic master's degree  can be done early, right after graduation, or a few years after graduation.

In the case of the  professional master's degree,  entry can be made after acquiring professional experience, including in initial leadership roles, when you aim for broader positions. This can occur between 30 and 40 years of age.

• What are the steps to get a master's degree?

The steps to reach the  academic master's degree  are: (1) define a field of interest within the area of ​​expertise; (2) define an initial / preliminary research theme; (3) choose a renowned institution; and (4) diligently prepare the application.

In the case of the  professional master's degree,  these are: (1) establishing a medium-term career vision; (2) identify knowledge, skills and abilities to be developed to achieve this vision; (3) choose a renowned institution that helps to carry out this trajectory; and (4) diligently prepare the application.

• What are the benefits that the master's course can bring?

The benefits of the  academic master's degree  are: specialized training in one of the fields of the line of research; the initial socialization in academic life; learning the scientific method; and the possibility of starting work in teaching and research.

In the case of the  professional master's degree,  these are: more sophisticated training in the area, with the acquisition of a more complex vision of organizational life; an enriched network of relationships; professional rise; and learning the scientific method.

Also read the articles about the  difference between professional and academic master's degrees  and the  relevance of courses in the job market . 

To learn more about master's and doctoral courses at FGV ,  visit the website.