Master's degrees

A Master's degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and higher education institutions to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. Within the area studied, graduates possessing a Master's degree are expected to possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied topics, high order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application, and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

Overview

The Master's degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering, humanities, business, and social sciences. Master's degrees are usually awarded following the completion of a bachelor's degree and require one to two years of full-time academic study. The most common titles of Master's degrees are the Master of Arts (MA or M.A.) and the Master of Science (MS, M.S., MSc, or M.Sc.). These degrees may be course-based, research-based, or a mixture of the two.

Types of Master's Degrees

Master of Arts (MA)

The MA degree is typically awarded in fields such as languages, history, communication, and the arts. It can be either entirely course-based, entirely research-based, or more commonly a combination.

Master of Science (MS)

The MS degree is typically awarded in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The degree usually involves a significant amount of research, culminating in a thesis or a project.

Professional Master's Degrees

These degrees are designed to prepare students for professional practice in various fields and may include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Library Science (MLS, MLIS, MSLS)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Master of Education (MEd)

Admission Requirements

Admission to a Master's program typically requires an undergraduate degree in a related field, with sufficiently high grades usually in the upper second-class or first-class range. Other typical requirements might include a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT).

Global Variations

The structure and requirements for a Master's degree can vary significantly between countries:

• In the United States, Master's degrees may be primarily taught or research-based, with the research programs requiring a thesis.
• In Europe, following the Bologna Process, Master's degrees are standardized to last two years and are often research-oriented.
• In the United Kingdom, Master's degrees are usually one year of postgraduate study, which can be research, taught, or a mix of both.

Significance and Benefits

Holding a Master's degree can offer various professional and personal benefits:

• **Professional Advancement:** It can lead to higher-level positions in many fields.
• **Increased Earnings:** Generally, individuals with a Master's degree earn more than those with only a bachelor's degree.
• **Personal Development:** It offers the chance to deepen knowledge and skills in a particular area of interest.

See Also

• Doctorate
• Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate education
• Academic degree