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What is a Master’s Degree?
By
Zach Skillings
Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.
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Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.
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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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If you’ve just graduated college, you may be thinking about continuing your education in pursuit of a master’s degree. As you probably know, earning an advanced degree can be valuable in a number of ways. Master’s degree programs are a popular option for individuals looking to advance their career or learn more about a particular subject. In this guide, we’ll talk about the ins and outs of master’s degrees.
Definition of master’s degree
A master’s is an advanced graduate degree that students pursue after earning their bachelor’s degree. Students enter master’s programs either to build on their undergraduate knowledge or to gain the necessary qualifications to transition into a new field. These programs typically take 1-3 years to complete.
Master’s degrees are beneficial in opening up career advancement opportunities. For instance, some job positions such as professors, education administrators, and survey researchers require a master’s degree. For professions that don’t require it, a master’s may help individuals progress to managerial or leadership roles. The bottom line is that a master’s degree can be a valuable tool to help you progress to the next stage of your career.
Types of master’s degrees
Just like bachelor’s degrees, there are a wide variety of degree options at the master’s level as well. Within each program type there are typically several areas of study to choose from, each with its own unique career opportunities. Below are some of the most common types of master’s degrees:
Master of Arts (MA)
- Typical Program Length: 2 years
- Areas of Study: communication, history, public administration, teaching, psychology
- Popular Careers: urban planner, therapist, college professor, PR specialist, journalist
Master of Science (MS)
- Typical Program Length: 2 or more years
- Areas of Study: chemistry, computer science, engineering, economics, biology
- Popular Careers: political scientist, speech-language pathologist, economist, computer and information research scientist
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Typical Program Length: 2 years
- Areas of Study: management, finance, leadership, organization
- Popular Careers: market research analyst, human resource manager, sales manager, IT manager
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Typical Program Length: 3 years or less
- Areas of Study: teaching strategies
- Popular Careers: college professor, curriculum designer, reading specialist, literacy coach
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Typical Program Length: 2 years
- Areas of Study: creative writing, filmmaking, photography, graphic design
- Popular Careers: college professor, graphic designer, creative director, UX designer, actor, video producer
Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Typical Program Length: 2 years
- Areas of Study: healthcare policy, infectious diseases, crisis prevention and reaction
- Popular Careers: healthcare administrator, epidemiologist, dietician, social and community service manager
Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Typical Program Length: 1-2 years
- Areas of Study: mental health, gerontology, family services, school social work
- Popular Careers: school social worker, substance abuse counselor, marriage and family therapist
Other Master’s Degrees
The degrees mentioned above are not the only types of master’s programs available. There are several other kinds of master’s degrees, many of which lead to careers in specific industries. We’ve listed a few below:
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
- Divinity (M.Div.)
- Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)
- Engineering (M.Eng.)
- Law (LL.M.)
- Philosophy (M.Phil.)
- Public Policy (MPP)
- Teaching (MAT)
Why should I get a master’s degree?
Career development
Obtaining your master’s degree is an excellent way to gain the qualifications needed to:
- Pursue a particular career
- Advance in your current career
- Change careers altogether
In some cases, a master’s degree is an industry requirement. For instance, a master’s degree is typically the minimum qualification for lawyers, doctors, college professors, librarians, and physicists.
Even for jobs that don’t require a master’s degree, having that extra qualification can be extremely valuable. For instance, you’re more likely to advance to a managerial or leadership position in your desired industry with a master’s degree. Finally, going back to school and earning a master’s degree is a popular move for individuals seeking a career change.
Increase your earnings
It’s no secret that with more education comes the potential for a higher annual salary. The median annual salary of master’s degree holders is $81,848. Meanwhile, the median annual earnings of bachelor’s degree holders is $69,368. Students should weigh out the cost of a master’s degree in relation to potential lifetime earnings. Here’s a list of the master’s degrees that lead to the highest paying jobs:
Master of:
- Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Public Administration (MPA)
- Science in Computer Science
- Economics (M.Econ., M.Ec., MS in Economics)
- Finance
- Engineering (M.Eng.)
- Business Administration (MBA)
- Science in Biomedical Engineering (BME)
- Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Education (M.Ed.)
- Science in Mathematics
Love of academia
For college graduates who can’t get enough of university life, pursuing a master’s degree is an attractive option. If you want to continue studying a certain subject, attending graduate school is a fantastic way to do exactly that. Enrolling in a master’s program gives you the chance to further your knowledge in the subject, specialize in a particular area, and perform in-depth research. If you wish to stay in academia professionally, you can even gain the qualifications necessary to become a professor!
How much do master’s degrees cost?
The cost of a master’s varies greatly depending on the:
- Field of study
- School / Institution
- Credit load
In general, going to grad school is typically more expensive than undergrad because there are fewer financial aid options. However, it’s certainly not impossible to secure scholarships and financial aid to help fund your master’s degree.
Prospective and current graduate students may be able to qualify for federal student loans by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.
Some working professionals may also receive financial support from their companies to pay for graduate school. You can check with your company’s human resources department for more information about these opportunities.
See also: Scholarships for graduate students
Don’t forget graduate assistantships
Although grad students don’t have access to resources such as the Pell Grant, they do have some alternative ways to help pay for school. Graduate assistantships are a great option, especially for students who are looking to continue in academia. Becoming a research assistant or teaching assistant helps you earn money towards your tuition while gaining experience in your field and making connections.
Tuition reimbursement
Another common method of reducing the financial burden of a master’s degree is to try for tuition reimbursement. Oftentimes, companies will put money towards their workforce development by paying for employees to return to school. So, if you land a job in your field of interest after completing undergrad, you might be able to pursue a master’s while working.
Students working service jobs can also qualify for tuition reimbursement. If you find a service job at a large corporation that offers tuition reimbursement, you might be able to help subsidize your master’s degree. Check out careers at Chipotle, Starbucks, and Amazon to investigate these options.
Key Takeaways
Frequently asked questions
Is a master’s degree worth it?
How many years is a master’s degree?
How do I apply to a master’s degree program?
Are master’s degrees hard to earn?
