With rapid changes in the labor market, driven by technology and new social and economic demands, the professional specialization It became essential to stand out.
A GUPY study, for example, published in 2025, points out that accelerated digitization is one of the main factors that drive new skill needs. According to the report, 85 million jobs can be, while 97 million new functions may arise due to new dynamics between people and technology.
In this context of constant transformation, it emerges as a fundamental way for professionals who seek to improve and meet market demands. Therefore, know the main postgraduate types and forms of entry:
Lato Sensu: Specializations and MBAs
Lato Sensu Postgraduate Courses are focused on professional qualification. Generally speaking, therefore, it is correct to say that they focus on the practical application of knowledge and are, in most cases, created to meet urgent demands of the labor market.
According to the latest survey of Semesp (Union of Entities maintaining higher education establishments in the state of São Paulo), 2023, Brazil has today 1.4 million students in this modality – Most, 87%, in private educational institutions.
Among the main modalities, stand out:
Specialization
Specializations often focus on punctual knowledge to improve the skills of a graduate professional. Areas such as law, technology, education and health are champions in such formations.
MBA (Master in Business Administration)
MBAs are formations directed to professionals seeking improvement in management and businessin the most diverse areas. In Brazil, institutions such as FGV (Getúlio Vargas Foundation), Insper (Institute of Teaching and Research) and offer renowned programs.
Abroad, Wharton and London Business School are among the most recognized.
- How to enter: The selection process varies between institutions, but may include curriculum analysis, interview and, in some cases, proof of knowledge. There are also programs that they fully or partially cover application courses, among other rates.
Stricto Sensu: Master and Doctorate
Stricto Sensu Postgraduate is focused on research and academic training. In general, they are aimed at professionals who want to develop society from the scientific thinking and the discoveries coming from it.
According to the latest data from CAPES (Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination), presented in 2024, there is in Brazil today 350 thousand students in this postgraduate modality. The plan is to reach the level of forming 60,000 masters and 25,000 doctors per year. In the United States, 180,000 doctors and 800,000 masters are formed annually.
This modality, therefore, is divided into:
Master’s degree
Are courses focused on training professionals for teaching and researchrequiring the defense of a dissertation.
Doctorate
These are formations Focused on the production of innovative knowledge, with the defense of an original thesis. In Brazil, universities such as USP, Unicamp (State University of Campinas) and UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) offer well -evaluated programs. Abroad, institutions such as MIT, Oxford and are among the most disputed.
- How to enter: The selection process may include written proof, curriculum analysis, interview, research project and proficiency tests in foreign language.
