There are developers who consider graduate school for their career or deeper learning. However, it's good to clarify your goals before applying as it requires significant financial investment and time commitment. I've compiled some points that I found helpful when preparing for a specialized graduate program based on my experience.

Factors to consider when applying to graduate school

• Specialized graduate programs generally have tuition fees ranging from 6.5 million to 7 million won per semester, with a total of 5 semesters, making it a serious consideration. With the high tuition fees, you need to think about whether you'll utilize loans or cover the costs independently.
• Classes are usually held 2-3 times a week during the evening (typically starting at 7 pm), making it challenging to manage alongside work. You need to factor this in beforehand. Most people choose graduate programs closer to their workplaces, or sometimes they opt for programs with weekend classes.
• In the case of regular graduate programs, students can engage in various research activities in labs full-time, accumulating R&D experience. However, specialized graduate programs typically involve only taking classes due to the combination with work, deviating slightly from the goal of research and development.
• Those who join specialized graduate programs often aim to obtain a master's degree or build a network (connections). It's crucial to clearly define your objectives before enrolling.

Advantages of specialized graduate programs
Obtaining a master's degree

Unlike regular graduate programs, you can obtain a master's degree relatively easily while working. While regular graduate programs require a thesis, many specialized graduate programs offer the option to graduate without a thesis by taking additional classes.

Networking

As most students are experienced professionals in the industry, it can be beneficial for job transitions. For example, I've met an executive from Naver and various other high-level developers and planners across different services, enabling me to gather diverse information.

Disadvantages of specialized graduate programs
Expensive tuition fees
Tuition fees typically range around 6 million won, making it relatively expensive compared to undergraduate studies. While the quality of education varies between programs, it can feel expensive considering you only take 2-3 classes per semester. As there are 5 semesters, you need to calculate the total cost (tuition fees x 5) and consider whether you can afford it and what you'll gain from this investment.

Thesis

Master's thesis typically involves writing around 50 pages, and graduating through thesis writing can be challenging. However, if you plan to transition into R&D or pursue a PhD, many institutions require a thesis as evidence of research achievements. If your goal is networking or obtaining a master's degree, I believe completing a thesis is not essential.