So, you've earned a bachelor's degree? Now what? If going back to
school sounds like a good idea you might want to consider earning a Master of Science (M.S.) or
Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in graduate school!
What is a Master's Degree?
A master's degree is an advanced degree awarded by most colleges and
universities. The master's degree is a one to three-year full-time program, beyond the
bachelor's degree, that involves an in depth and focused study on a single discipline.
Program Requirements
A bachelor's degree is usually a prerequisite for students entering a
master's degree program. Master's degrees typically require one to three years of
post-baccalaureate study towards the completion of about 30 credit hours. Many programs also require
completion of a research report or thesis. Students must also maintain a minimum grade point average
to earn their degree.
What are the Degree Options
Many students pursue master's degrees as an extenson of their
bachelor's degrees, choosing a course of study that complements their degree focus. Other
students choose a master's degree program that is entirely different from their bachelor's
degree.
Two of the most commonly awarded degrees are the Master of Arts (M.A.),
awarded in the humanities and social sciences, and the Master of Science (M.S.), awarded in
mathematics, science and engineering. There are also several specialized or professional
master's degrees available, such as:
- Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
- Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
- Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)
- Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Why Earn a Master's Degree?
Students decide to pursue a master degree for a variety of reasons. For some,
it is a passionate interest in their chosen discipline that drives them to learn more. Some
professional or technical areas of study require a master's degree for entry-level positions.
Others earn a master's as a prerequisite for earning a doctorate degree. Some students,
especially those in a liberal arts discipline, choose to earn a master's degree in a new field,
such as business, to expand their employment opportunities. Many others hope to increase their
income potential by entering the workforce with an advanced degree.
- Master of Accountancy
- Master of Accounting and Information Systems
- Master of Advanced Study
- Master of Applied Finance
- Master of Applied Mathematical Sciences
- Master of Applied Psychology
- Master of Applied Science
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts in Archives and Records Management
- Master of Arts in Bioethics
- Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
- Master of Arts in Museum Studies
- Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Management
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Master of Athletic Training
- Master of Bioethics
- Master of Bioinformatics
- Master of Biotechnology
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration Management of Technology
- Master of Business
- Master of Business Economics
- Master of Business Engineering
- Master of Business Informatics
- Master of Chemistry
- Master of City Planning
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Community Health
- Master of Computational Finance
- Master of Computer Applications
- Master of Computer Science
- Master of Communication
- Master of Counseling
- Master of Criminal Justice
- Master in Creative Technologies
- Master of Design
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Economics
- Master of Education
- Master of Educational Technology
- Master of Engineering
- Master of Engineering Management
- Master of Enterprise
- Master of European Law
- Master of Finance
- Master of Financial Economics
- Master of Financial Engineering
- Master of Financial Mathematics
- Master of Fine Arts
- Master of Geospatial Science & Technology
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Health Science
- Master of Humanities
- Master of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Master of International Affairs
- Master of International Business
- Master of International Economics
- Master of International Public Policy
- Master of International Studies
- Master of Information
- Master of Information Management
- Master of Information Systems
- Master of Information System Management
- Master of Islamic Studies
- Master of IT
- Master of Jurisprudence
- Master of Laws
- Master of Studies in Law
- Master of Landscape Architecture
- Master of Letters
- Master of Liberal Arts
- Master of Library and Information Science
- Master of Management
- Master of Mass Communication and Journalism
- Master of Mathematical Finance
- Master of Mathematics
- Master of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Master of Mathematics and Philosophy
- Master of Medical Science
- Master of Medicine
- Master of Military Art and Science
- Master of Music
- Master of Network and Communications Management
- Master of Occupational Therapy
- Master of Pharmacy
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Master of Physics
- Master of Political Science
- Master of Professional Studies
- Master of Psychology
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Public Affairs
- Master of Public Diplomacy
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Public Management
- Master of Public Policy
- Master of Public Relations
- Master of Public Service
- Master of Quantitative Finance
- Master of Rabbinic Studies
- Master of Real Estate Development
- Master of Religious Education
- Master of Research
- Master of Sacred Music
- Master of Sacred Theology
- Master of Science
- Master of Science in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience
- Master of Science in Athletic Training
- Master of Science in Bioinformatics
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology
- Master of Science in Computing Research
- Master of Science in Cyber Security
- Master of Science in Education
- Master of Science in Engineering
- Master of Science in Development Administration
- Master of Science in Finance
- Master of Science in Governance & Organizational Sciences
- Master of Science in Government Contracts
- Master of Science in Health Informatics
- Master of Science in Human Resource Development
- Master of Science in Information Assurance
- Master of Science in Information Systems
- Master of Science in Information Technology
- Master of Science in Leadership
- Master of Science in Management
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Project Management
- Master of Science in Quality Assurance
- Master of Science in Risk Management
- Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
- Master of Science in Teaching
- Master of Science in Taxation
- Master of Social Science
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Statistics
- Master of Strategic Studies
- Master of Studies
- Master of Surgery
- Master of Theological Studies
- Master of Technology
- Master of Theology
- Master of Urban Planning
- Master of Veterinary Science