What is a Master’s Degree?
A Master’s Degree is a post-secondary or graduate degree that typically follows the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Although much more demanding than a bachelor’s degree, which takes between 3-5 years to complete, a master’s degree can usually be completed in just 2 years.
Master’s degrees are more rigorous, demanding, and fast-paced than bachelor’s degrees. The expectation for quantity and quality of work performed is also much higher. A master’s degree will involve intricate analysis, study, research, and may require a student to complete a master’s thesis or project before graduating.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree
- Many management and leadership positions require a master’s degree
- More career advancement opportunities
- Increased earning potential
- Gain advanced skills and knowledge
- Set yourself apart from other professionals
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Types of Master’s Degrees
- Master of Arts (MA) – The Master’s of Arts is a post-baccalaureate degree that requires the completion of at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit, usually in the social sciences or humanities. Depending on the field of study, this degree probably will not include research and a thesis.
- Master of Science (MS or MSc) – Like the Master’s of Arts, the Master’s of Science also requires the completion of 30 semester credit hours. However, unlike an MA degree, the Master’s of Science typically focuses on the sciences and is more likely to require extensive research and a written thesis.
- Post-graduate Master’s Degree – The post-graduate master’s degree can be either an MA or MS degree (MA, MEng, MS, MSc, MBA, MCom, MBus and other subject specific master’s degrees). These degrees are designed for any student that already holds a bachelor’s degree.
- Business or Management Master’s Degree (MSc, MA, MBA, MCom, MIM ) – Trying to understand these degrees can be a bit confusing at times. First, there are Masters of Science (MSc) or Arts (MA) or Commerce (MCom) in General Management. These degree programs are often referred to as MIM-programs and typically do not require professional experience as a prerequisite to program entry. Often the MSc in Management is designed for individuals with an academic degree in a humanities or social science area while the MA in General Management is for individuals with other backgrounds. These degrees are not to be confused with the more popular Master of Business Administration (MBA) which is intended for business students with at least two to three years of professional work experience and is open to individuals from any field or academic background. There are other differences between the MIM and MBA including the purpose of each program, the cost, student demographic and reputation.
- Executive Master’s Degree (EMBA, EMS) – This master’s degree is designed specifically for executives, managers and working professionals. These programs are often offered during the evening or on weekends. Many are now offered online as well. These programs are structured very differently than the regular full-time program in regards to admissions, graduation requirements, and overall structure.
- See the Most Popular Master’s Programs by Field of Study
- See the Most Popular Master’s Degrees by Field and Gender
- See the Best Jobs For Master’s Degree Holders
- Master of Accountancy (MAcc, MAc, or MAcy)
- Master of Advanced Study (M.A.S.)
- Master of Economics (M.Econ)
- Master of Applied Science (MASc, MAppSc, MApplSc, M.A.Sc. and MAS.)
- Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)
- Master of Arts (M.A., MA, A.M., or AM)
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
- Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MA, ALM, MLA, MLS or MALS)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA or M.B.A.)
- Master of Business (MBus)
- Master of Business Informatics (MBI)
- Master of Chemistry (MChem)
- Master of City Planning
- Master of Commerce (MCom or MComm)
- Master of Computational Finance (or Quantitative Finance)
- Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
- Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
- Master in Creative Technologies
- Master of Design (MDes, M.Des. or M.Design)
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- Master of Economics (M.Econ.)
- Master of Education (M.Ed., MEd, Ed.M., M.A.Ed., M.S.Ed., M.S.E., or M.Ed.L)
- Master of Engineering (M.Eng., ME or MEng)
- Master of Engineering Management (MEM)
- Master of Enterprise (M.Ent.)
- Master of European Law (LL.M. Eur)
- Master of Finance (M.Fin.)
- Master of Financial Economics
- Master of Financial Engineering (Master of Quantitative Finance)
- Master of Financial Mathematics (Master of Quantitative Finance)
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA, M.F.A.)
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Master of Health Science (MHS)
- Master of Humanities (MH)
- Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR)
- Master of International Affairs
- Master of International Business
- Masters in International Economics
- Master of International Studies (MIS)
- Master of Information System Management (abbreviated M.ISM, MS.IM, M.IS or similar)
- Master of IT (abbreviated MSIT, MScIT, M.Sc.IT, MSc.IT or M.Sc IT.)
- Master of Jurisprudence (M.J. or M.Jur)
- Master of Laws (LL.M. or LLM)
- Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.)
- Master of Landscape Architecture (M.Arch.)
- Master of Letters (MLitt)
- Master of Liberal Arts (MA, ALM, MLA, MLS or MALS)
- Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
- Master of Management (MM)
- Master of Mathematical Finance
- Master of Mathematics (or MMath)
- Master of Medical Science
- Master of Music (M.M. or M.Mus.)
- Master of Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Master of Pharmacy (MPharm or MPharm)
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Master of Physics (MPhys)
- Master of Political Science
- Master of Professional Studies (MPS or M.P.S.)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Public Affairs (M.P.Aff.)
- Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
- Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)
- Master of Public Management
- Master of Quantitative Finance
- Master of Rabbinic Studies (MRb)
- Master of Real Estate Development
- Master of Religious Education
- Master of Research – MSc(R)
- Master of Sacred Music (MSM)
- Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)
- Master of Science (M.Sc., MSc, M.Sci., M.Si., Sc.M., M.S., MSHS, MS, Mag., Mg., Mgr, S.M., or SM)
- Master of Science in Education
- Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
- Master of Science in Finance (M.Fin.)
- Master of Science in Human Resource Development (HRD or MSHRD)
- Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)
- Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MSMIS)
- Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT, MScIT, M.Sc.IT, MSc.IT or M.Sc IT.)
- Master of Science in Leadership (MSL)
- Master of Science in Management (MSc or MSM)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Master of Science in Project Management (M.S.P.M.)
- Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (SCM or MSSCM)
- Master of Science in Teaching (MST)
- Master of Science in Taxation
- Master of Social Science (MSSc)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Studies (M.St. or MSt)
- Master of Surgery (Ch.M. or M.S., as well as M.Ch. and M.Chir.)
- Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
- Master of Theology (Th.M. or M.Th.)
- Master of Urban Planning
- Master of Veterinary Science (MVSC or MVSc)
Most Common Master’s Degrees
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Most Popular Master’s Degree Programs by Field of Study
Fields of Study Master’s Degrees Conferred by Postsecondary Institutions, by Field of Study
| Field of Study | Percent of Master’s |
|---|---|
| Business | 24.4% |
| Education | 19.3% |
| Health professions and related programs | 13.6% |
| Engineering | 6.1% |
| Public administration and social services | 6.1% |
| Computer and information sciences | 4.1% |
| Psychology | 3.5% |
| Social sciences and history | 2.7% |
| Visual and performing arts | 2.3% |
| Biological and biomedical sciences | 1.9% |
| Theology and religious vocations | 1.9% |
| Homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting | 1.3% |
| Communication, journalism, and related programs | 1.3% |
| English language and literature/letters | 1.2% |
| Multi/interdisciplinary studies | 1.1% |
| Architecture and related services | 1.1% |
| Legal professions and studies | 1.0% |
| Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies | 1.0% |
| Mathematics and statistics | 1.0% |
| Physical sciences and science technologies | 0.9% |
| Agriculture and natural resources | 0.8% |
| Engineering technologies | 0.7% |
| Library science | 0.7% |
| Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics | 0.5% |
| Family and consumer sciences/human sciences | 0.4% |
| Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities | 0.4% |
| Philosophy and religious studies | 0.3% |
| Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies | 0.2% |
| Transportation and materials moving | 0.1% |
| Communications technologies | 0.1% |
| Military technologies and applied sciences | 0.0% |
| Precision production | 0.0% |
| Not classified by field of study | 0.0% |
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Best Jobs For Master’s Degree Holders
All occupations listed below have a salary of at least $35,000 to $54,999 and have stagnant or positive job growth rates. It is noted whether or not there is any required on-the-job training.
| Occupation | 2016 Median Pay | Number of New Jobs | Growth Rate | On-the-job Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economists | $75,000 or more | 1,000 to 4,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | $75,000 or more | 10,000 to 49,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Education administrators, postsecondary | $75,000 or more | 10,000 to 49,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Nurse anesthetists | $75,000 or more | 5,000 to 9,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Nurse midwives | $75,000 or more | 1,000 to 4,999 | 20 to 29 percent | None |
| Nurse practitioners | $75,000 or more | 10,000 to 49,999 | 30 percent or faster | None |
| Occupational therapists | $75,000 or more | 10,000 to 49,999 | 20 to 29 percent | None |
| Physician assistants | $75,000 or more | 10,000 to 49,999 | 30 percent or faster | None |
| Psychologists, all other | $75,000 or more | 1,000 to 4,999 | 10 to 19 percent | Internship/residency |
| Statisticians | $75,000 or more | 10,000 to 49,999 | 30 percent or faster | None |
| Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary | $55,000 to $74,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other | $55,000 to $74,999 | 5,000 to 9,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Instructional coordinators | $55,000 to $74,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Librarians | $55,000 to $74,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary | $55,000 to $74,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Orthotists and prosthetists | $55,000 to $74,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 20 to 29 percent | Internship/residency |
| Speech-language pathologists | $55,000 to $74,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 20 to 29 percent | None |
| Urban and regional planners | $55,000 to $74,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Community and social service specialists, all other | $35,000 to $54,999 | 5,000 to 9,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Counselors, all other | $35,000 to $54,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Curators | $35,000 to $54,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors | $35,000 to $54,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 0 to 9 percent | None |
| Farm and home management advisors | $35,000 to $54,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Healthcare social workers | $35,000 to $54,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
| Marriage and family therapists | $35,000 to $54,999 | 5,000 to 9,999 | 10 to 19 percent | Internship/residency |
| Mental health counselors | $35,000 to $54,999 | 10,000 to 49,999 | 20 to 29 percent | Internship/residency |
| Survey researchers | $35,000 to $54,999 | 1,000 to 4,999 | 10 to 19 percent | None |
Sources:
Featured Schools that Offer Master Degrees
 | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments. Learn More > |
| Purdue University Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online. Learn More > |
| Northcentral University Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences. Learn More > |
| Colorado Technical University (CTU) CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, faculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology. Learn More > |