Earning a master's degree could unlock a range of benefits, from career advancement to a boost in pay. Learn more about this postgraduate degree.
A master’s degree is a graduate degree that allows you to build advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied knowledge, forge a deeper understanding of your area of study, and develop a range of skills applicable to your trade. With a master’s degree, you can typically have more opportunities to advance your career as a valuable, knowledgeable employee or pursue further postgraduate education, such as a doctoral degree.
Learn more about master’s degrees, how many years it takes to earn one, common requirements, and some of the benefits you can experience after obtaining one.
Earning your master’s degree typically takes anywhere from one to three years, depending on several factors, such as your field of study and the time you wish to dedicate to your program. If you're currently on a career path, you might find that taking one or two classes a semester is more manageable and, therefore, may need three or more years to complete your program. If you're in a position to dedicate more of your time to being a full-time learner, you could finish within a year or two.
While different universities and programs have varied requirements for earning a master’s degree, the general guidelines tend to be similar.
Whether you’re pursuing an MBA, online master’s degree programs, or another type of master’s, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree and passing scores from entrance exams. Many master’s degrees follow common admission requirements, including:
A bachelor’s degree in your subject area (some institutions are flexible about specializations)
Minimum GPA from your bachelor’s program
Prerequisite undergraduate courses in the subject area
Letters of recommendation
Each master’s degree program will also outline what you need to complete it. Common graduation requirements include:
30 to 60 hours of coursework
Minimum GPA
Master’s thesis, capstone project, or internship
Although both advanced degree options can help give your career and earning power a boost, a PhD is a research-focused degree, whereas a master's typically helps you gain broader skills and knowledge for your chosen career field. A PhD requires you to complete a master's for entry, while a master's is the next step up from a bachelor's. A PhD, or doctorate, typically takes three to seven years compared to the one to three years learners usually take to complete a master's.
Master’s degrees fall under an array of categories, the most common being Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. MA degrees typically focus on humanities subjects, while MS degrees usually prepare you for technical fields. However, an overlap exists between the two. For instance, you can receive an MA or an MS in special education.
Additional types of master's degrees include:
Master of Education (MEd)
Master of Research (MRes)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Master of Studies (MSt)
Master of Technology (MTech)
Master of Laws (LLM)
Master of Library Sciences (MLS)
Whether you are looking to integrate a master’s degree in your long-term learner career, focus on ongoing research, or simply obtain more specialized knowledge of your field, you have many degree choices and options to pursue as a professional.
The benefits of continuing your education can be pretty similar across different career fields, such as increased earning potential and the ability to take on leadership roles. Some of these benefits include:
Increased salary
More advanced job opportunities
Competitive edge within your career field
Access to new opportunities through networking activities in your field, like conferences available to graduate students
Focused understanding of the components of your subject
Chance to build skills you can utilize throughout your career, such as honing your critical thinking abilities
Opportunities to fully explore your passions in a practical way
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a professional with a bachelor’s degree in the United States makes an average income of approximately $1,493 a week as of 2023, while the weekly average income for a master’s degree holder is $1,737 [1]. How much you make can vary based on many factors, including your industry, location, and previous experience.
A master’s degree allows you to gain in-depth knowledge about a particular subject, increase your earning potential, and open up new career paths for yourself. Discover what it's like to earn a master's degree online by enrolling in an open course from a top university on Coursera:
Strategic Leadership and Management, part of the University of Illinois MBA
Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health, associated with the University of Michigan Master of Public Health
Optical Engineering, part of the University of Colorado Boulder Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
specialization
Leadership and Business Skill for Immediate Impact. Apply practical strategies to becoming an effective organizational leader.
4.8
(6,725 ratings)
139,024 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Strategic Management, Negotiation, Leadership, Business Strategy, Business Model, Strategic Thinking, self-awareness, Trust in relationships, Ethical decision-making, Leadership Development, Defining Leadership, Organization Design, Organizational Structure, Organizational Theories, Organizational Change, Decision-Making, Strategic Leadership, Organizational Culture, Ethics, Management, Diversification, Global Strategy, Mergers And Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Governance, Manage motivation and engagement, Create space for DEIB, Develop team culture, Navigate growth and change in teams, Facilitate psychological safety
specialization
Learn how environmental factors affect health. Explore environmental health science (EHS) and assess the effectiveness of environmental policies.
4.8
(167 ratings)
6,928 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Environmental justice, environment, Public Health, Global health, Health Equity, policy, Environmental Health, Sustainability, Climate Change
specialization
Master Optical Design. Design high performance optical systems for a wide range of applications.
4.3
(331 ratings)
13,011 already enrolled
Advanced level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
optical system specification, optimization of optical systems, optical design
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US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Education pays, 2023, https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2024/data-on-display/education-pays.htm." Accessed December 2, 2024.
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