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A college degree is becoming more important for launching a career. But for some fields, you need more: more training, more specialized skills, more credentials. That's where professional school comes in. Earn an MBA, an JD or an MD to take your career to a higher degree.

Business

• Preparation: An undergraduate degree in business is not necessary, but English and math skills are important. Many schools require three to five years of experience.
• Testing: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• Length of program: Two years (if studying full time).
• Financial aid: Funding is available from the government, private lenders, employers and private foundations.

Law

• Preparation: Any undergraduate degree can make you eligible for law school. A good GPA and LSAT scores are the two major factors for admittance. Keep a dossier of recommendation letters.
• Testing: Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
• Length of Program: Three years.
• Financial aid: Look into schools that offer loan-repayment assistance programs (LRAPS) in return for public interest work. For more information check www.napil.org. Total Higher Education Law Loans offer subsidized Stafford loans with no guarantee fees and no origination fee. For more information check www.northstar.org.

Medicine

• Preparation: An undergraduate degree in any major is acceptable, but you'll need two semesters each of biology, physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry to do well on the MCAT. It also helps to have experience doing volunteer work in a health-related setting or research in a lab.
• Testing: Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
• Length of program: Four years.
• Financial aid: In-state medical students can be eligible for state loan programs. Some states also offer scholarships that pay your way if you work in underserved areas after graduation.

Find business, law and medicine schools at MonsterLearning.com.

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