Navigate your Career: The Master's Degree

By Liz Carlock

What is a master's degree?

Masters' degrees usually require 1-2 years of study and involve specialized knowledge and concentrated study in one particular area. This graduate degree can be entirely course-based, research-based or a combination. Customarily, master's degrees are completed before undertaking a Doctoral Degree.

Students normally enter a master's program after completing a bachelor's degree; either immediately after or as a returning student following a period of work experience.

Why consider a master's degree?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2000 through 2010, demand within certain industries will require master's degrees. Two fields in particular, speech-language pathologists and social work, rank amongst the fastest growing and fall into high to very high earning categories. Each is projected to grow at a rate of 39% over this period.

As the demand for well-trained professionals grows, businesses, in collaboration with colleges and universities strive to ensure that students, particularly returning adult students, are equipped with an education that prepares them for performance and results in the dynamic global marketplace.

As Patricia Kovel-Jarboe shares in her recent paper on the future of education,

"The average worklife in the future will consist of six or seven different careers carried out sequentially. Life-long learning is becoming a necessity rather than the enrichment opportunity it may have been in the past,"

What are the different types of masters' degrees?

Master's degree programs and titles vary by educational institution. However, there are two primary degree types, each requiring the completion of a 30 credit hour minimum. Courses are valued in credit hours, which are the number of class meeting hours per week.

Master of Arts (MA).
These degree types, also referred to as post-baccalaureate degrees, emphasize areas of the social sciences and humanities. Depending upon the selected field of study, completion of research and a thesis may or may not be required.
Master of Science (MS).
These degree types, also referred to as post-baccalaureate degrees, emphasize the sciences or professions. Master's degrees that emphasize the sciences usually require the completion of research and a thesis.

Examples of areas of concentration and degree titles that can be selected include:

Business Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Education Master of Arts in Education
Health Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Technology Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS)
Social Work Master of Social Work (MSW)

Where can you enroll for a master's degree?

Most colleges and universities offer masters' degrees. However, the nature of the program and the specific college or university selected determines entry requirements and course credit expectations. It is, therefore, important to check specific details for selected schools prior to embarking on this degree.

Is a master's degree right for you?

There are numerous factors to consider when making the decision to pursue a master's degree.

Personal commitments along with career status and goals are important to keep in mind. Prior education and past experience are also important issues to consider. Selecting a master's degree in a field similar to your bachelor's degree and in an area where you already have professional experience may cause potential employers to question the value of your graduate degree as they may perceive the master's degree to be unnecessary. Augmenting an existing bachelor's degree with a master's degree in a complementary field is often the best path to success.

References

Patricia Kovel-Jarboe "Changing Contexts of Higher Education and Four Possible Futures for Distance Education" - http://horizon.unc.edu/projects/issues/papers/kovel.asp
"Which degree should I pursue?" www.acehsa.org
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov "2002-03 Occupational Outlook Handbook"
National Center for Education Statistics www.nces.ed.gov
The Fulbright Commission www.fulbright.co.uk
Latin American Educational Foundation - www.laef.org

About the Author

A freelance writer and researcher, Liz Carlock runs her own business, The Write Resources, providing writing, editing, and market strategy services to businesses, government agencies and individuals. She has over 15 years experience in senior level marketing positions in a variety of industries, and has worked for companies such as Sun Microsystems, ConferTech International, and Marquest Medical Products. Liz earned a B.S. degree in Business/Marketing at the University of Colorado and makes Boulder, CO her home.