Nov. 9--The economy going south, people losing their jobs and new college graduates having trouble finding work could add up to good news for graduate schools, as more people turn to higher degrees as a way to ride through the recession.

Even as Florida leads the nation in job losses, the area's graduate schools are seeing a jump in graduate school applications.

The increased interest in master's degrees has been most pronounced at public schools, where many people with tight budgets are turning. Florida International University saw a 16 percent increase in graduate school applications this fall compared to last year, and a 13.4 percent increase in graduate admissions.

As younger people straight out of the Ivory Tower find it harder to find entry level jobs and working adults get laid off, many of them are turning to school for the new employment skills or degrees they hope will make the job search easier once the slump ends, experts say.

"I had an undergraduate major in economics and had hard a tough time finding a job. I wanted a degree that would offer a more stable career," said Michael Carmosino, an MBA student at Barry University. "There are jobs out there, but few of them. I figure this degree will put my resume on top of someone else's."

The former lawn service company owner from Colorado graduates in December and will try to find a job as a certified public accountant.

UNEMPLOYMENT UP

State numbers indicate that 6.5 percent of Florida workers were unemployed in August, the highest state jobless rate in 13 years. That's up from 4.2 percent a year ago. Only Rhode Island saw a bigger jump in its unemployment rolls.

Academics say slow economic trends like those tend to be boons for universities.

"By way of evidence, we have the mid 1990s. When the Internet bubble burst, there was a rush to graduate school," said Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. "There are times that slowdowns in the economy result in more people considering graduate school to enhance their resume and income potential."

Last year, there was a 6.5 percent increase in graduate school applications nationally, a significant jump, he said.

In Florida, applications for public graduate schools rose almost 14 percent in 2007, and enrollment rose 7 percent. By contrast, just two years ago in 2005, applications in Florida had dropped about 4 percent.

Barry University's law school applications are up 4 percent and its business school 6 percent, said Dave Fletcher, head of graduate admissions.