A master’s degree is the first level of graduate study.
To apply for a master’s degree you must already hold a bachelor’s degree.
To earn a master’s degree, you usually need to complete 30 - 46 semester credits of study. Time to completion is normally 1 ½ - 2 years of full-time study.
In addition to coursework, the master's degree may entail completing comprehensive exams, a thesis, a capstone project or a supervised field experience. The most common master’s degree awards are the Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Science (MS) degrees. Some fields may have discipline-specific degrees, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or the Master of Education (MED).
Consider a Master’s Degree When You . . . . .
- Know that your chosen career will require a master’s degree
- Need a graduate degree to qualify for a higher salary grade
- Want to change your career field or develop expertise in a new area
