After completing your undergraduate studies, you might feel pressured to think about pursuing one of the several master’s degrees available.
What draws people to graduate school? Some people wish to advance in their current professions. Others are seeking a new beginning and a change in their job path. Whatever the motivation, selecting amongst master’s degrees necessitates thought and deliberation.
Overview of Undergraduate vs. Graduate Degrees
There are many variations between undergraduate and graduate degrees. In general, graduate degree classroom sizes are smaller than those in undergraduate programs. This improves general attendance as well as focused group conversations.
Furthermore, graduate degrees frequently have a focus outside of the classroom. Graduate programs often place more of an emphasis on the development of research and communication skills and less on the regular delivery of lectures and tests than undergraduate courses do on exams and class participation.
That said, your experience will vary based on the kinds of MS degrees you seek. This is also true if you decide to pursue an online master’s degree, which is very feasible.
A Look at the Various Master’s Degrees
Think about these several master’s degrees when deciding on your next job path.
1. MBA
People who are slightly advanced in their careers and seeking a boost in their professional careers are the target audience for master of business administration degrees. Even yet, some people may decide to enroll in an MBA degree before beginning a profession, which frequently leads to careers in management, finance, or economics.
The following are some typical advantages of finishing an MBA program:
Higher employment rates: MBA graduates benefit from more stable work since they acquire long-term employable skill sets. A research by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) found that 87 percent of respondents said getting an MBA improved their employability and that 90 percent of respondents felt that their graduate business education had been a good investment.
Increased income potential: Having an MBA can boost your earning potential in addition to improving your employability. Additionally, according to GMAC, an MBA graduate makes a median salary that is almost seventy-five percent higher than that of a bachelor’s degree holder. Employers will recognize your dedication to achievement in management and professionalism if you have a master’s degree in business.
Despite the fact that MBA programs frequently cover a wide range of topics, specializations are also available. Students can taste potential career routes prior to entering the profession by enrolling in courses that are specific to a given industry or concentration. Graduate students can concentrate on a variety of disciplines while pursuing their degrees, such as marketing, innovation, business analytics, or management.
Expanded professional network: Your business school friends will introduce you to other industries, commercial processes, and cultural traditions. Later in your career, building your professional network could give you access to unanticipated chances.
2. Masters in the Arts
The M.A. is one of the most accessible degrees for students, typically lasting between two and four years. Master of Arts degrees might be research- or academic-based and frequently encompass the social sciences, such as sociology, political science, psychology, and anthropology.
Master of Arts degrees foster a wide range of social and professional skills, whereas business degrees and more specialized master’s degrees frequently present specific job options.
The focus of MA degrees is social, which means that students think about complicated theories and their immediate and long-term effects from a sociological or anthropological perspective.
So how may this theoretical understanding enhance your potential for a practical career?
Employers are interested in learning how your M.A. degree distinguishes you from the competition. Be sure to bring up your transferable abilities, classes you took that were applicable to the job or firm, final projects, and group projects during the interview. Be sure to emphasize your desire to grow and learn, as well as how your next position will benefit from this drive.
3. Master of Science
M.Sc. degrees are philosophically similar to M.A. degrees, although often having a more technical focus on careers. A degree in computer science, for instance, demonstrates advanced technological understanding and can improve your access to job chances and financial prospects.
An M.Sc. can help you advance your specific knowledge in the fields of artificial intelligence, network security, or software, for example, if you already work in the technology industry.
An M.Sc. degree offers a foundation for study and development among those just starting their professions, exposing students to numerous new industries.
4. Master of Education
For a variety of reasons, many prospective and practicing teachers obtain a Master of Education. The most typical objectives of graduate education students are formal credentials, career changes, speciality development, and increased earning potential.
People who value education and want to have an impact and bring about change are frequently drawn to advanced teaching degrees.
University of the People and the International Baccalaureate offer access to a tuition-free online Master of Education degree in an effort to expand the number of highly qualified teachers in the world.
The Master of Education program at UoPeople employs a multidisciplinary approach that includes human development, teaching and learning theory, behavior management, and assessment of learning to prepare students for exciting careers in education.
Secondary Education and Elementary/Middle School Education are the two specialities offered by the program. Five (5) nine-week terms make up the academic year, which can be finished either full- or part-time. Students might be allowed to use an accelerated track in specific circumstances.
Our M.Ed. program aims to cultivate highly developed teaching abilities, giving each student the knowledge and skills necessary to establish learning goals and objectives in the classroom, recognize the instructional needs of different learners, establish and maintain an effective learning environment, use instructional strategies and activities, and engage in ongoing professional development.
5. Alternative Degrees
Graduate school offers a variety of money rewards and professional options, but there are also numerous non-financial advantages. Returning to school can boost your motivation to learn, provide you the chance to finally change careers, and advance cognitive development.
The following master’s degree programs can be of interest to those who are considering returning to school but are having difficulty deciding which one to pursue:
Public Administration Master’s
An MPA concentrates on the public sector, similar to a public policy degree, with specializations in topics like international administration, science and technology, and the environment.
Ph.D. in social work
With a focus on enhancing the quality of life for both individuals and communities, the MSW degree prepares students for careers in political advocacy and community organizing. Look at these social work positions.
Bachelor of Laws
A Master of Laws, or LLM, degree is frequently pursued by recent law graduates who want to focus their interests or change their specialty. The LLM may be the best move for your career if you have already earned an academic degree but believe that your speciality was not chosen correctly the first time.
How to Select a Master’s Degree from a Variety
Make sure to pick a graduate degree that complements your prior professional accomplishments and positions you for future career success. Remember that the choice should not be taken lightly, regardless of whether you have recently finished your undergraduate degree or have excelled in your job.
Ask yourself: What motivates me to pursue a master’s degree?
Take into account the cost and duration of the degree. Despite the difficulty of the choice, it can be made simpler with careful research about the many programs you have access to. Check the admission standards for the program, evaluate your own qualifications in terms of your strengths and limitations, and then practically compare your qualifications to each program.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose an online, in-person, or hybrid master’s degree from the different varieties that are offered. After that, you can carry on with your successful journey!
