What Comes After a Master’s Degree? 8 Paths to Consider

A master’s degree is the completion of higher education in a specific field of study after you have completed a bachelor’s degree. Master’s programs typically take around two years to finish, or 40 credit hours, depending on the college or university you’re studying in.

Master’s degrees allow you to expand your knowledge in your preferred area of study and grow as a learner, researcher, and writer during the time it takes to complete the degree. After completing your master's, there's even more you can do to continue your education and career development. Learn about what comes after a master's degree with these eight options.

What comes after a master’s degree?

After graduating with a master’s degree, you have many options regarding what to do next. You can take your completed education and apply it to a job or career, or you can continue learning and seeking out opportunities that allow you to build experience and gain the skills you need to begin your career in the field you studied.

8 paths to consider with a master’s degree.

As you read about the following options for post-graduate life, consider your personal and professional goals, resources, and interests to decide the right path for you. These eight ideas could inspire you to come up with additional options.

1. Find a job in your field

Now that you’ve completed a master’s degree in your field of study, you may begin the process of finding a job that you’re now qualified for and passionate about. To find an open position that you want, check job posting websites regularly and update your resume to reflect your completed education status, highlighting the new skills you obtained from your time spent learning. You may also want to work directly with a staffing agency to get help finding a role that is well-suited for you.

2. Get your doctoral degree

If you want to continue your education after completing a master’s degree, consider getting a professional (or applied) doctorate or PhD, both of which are doctoral degrees. In a doctorate program, you'll focus on studying research conducted by others and applying results to solving problems within your field. In a PhD program, you'll spend time conducting your own research and coming up with new theories or knowledge in your field. 

Whether your specific area of study is education, mathematics, or psychology, a doctoral degree allows you to learn and research the subject more directly and extensively. A doctoral degree is beneficial if you want to expand your knowledge in your field of study and potentially gain more career opportunities. Your resume will stand out to employers once you obtain a master’s and doctoral degree in your area of expertise.

3. Earn certifications

Another way to continue your education after a master's degree without pursuing a degree is to earn certifications. Many employers look for completed certifications in your career field on your resume to indicate that you want to continue learning and growing in your area of study long after graduation.

Certifications may help you earn more in your role and become more skilled at what you do. You can earn certifications at any time in your career, so if you want to become certified in a subject, specific job role, or program, explore your options online to determine if a certification is right for you and your goals.

Read more: Are IT Certifications Worth It? When to Get Certified in Your IT Career

4. Pursue an internship

Internships allow you to get experience in your career before applying for a job in your field. Some jobs list experience in the field as a prerequisite, which you can accomplish through an internship. While your bachelor's or master’s degree may have required the completion of an internship to graduate, internships are not just for students but also for those who have just graduated with their degree. Internships serve as a stepping stone from continuing education to building a career. If you want to start your career slowly, get to know people in the industry, and build your skills to gain experience, then applying for an internship after completing your degree is the right path for you.

5. Travel

If you just completed your master’s degree but aren’t sure what you want from a career, consider taking some time off to travel and explore places you’ve never been. Immersing yourself in other cultures and geographical areas after schooling can be beneficial to reset and prepare for your future career and allows you time to grow and gain experience navigating the world.

6. Network

Networking is a way to connect with other people who work or study the same subject. Building connections may help you find your next job, allow you to grow through learning from more experienced individuals, and allow you to ask questions and get to know more people in your field.

If you’re unsure where you want to go with your career, start networking and connecting with people who have established their careers. They can offer advice, refer you to companies, and help you set professional goals.

7. Become a professor

If you enjoy continuing education and want to spread your knowledge after completing your master’s degree, consider becoming a professor. Becoming a professor allows you to connect with more people in your field who express interest in your field, and you get to share your love of learning with college students who are figuring out what they want to study.

A prerequisite to becoming a professor is to have a PhD, professional doctorate, or master's degree in your area of study, and you may need to gain some teaching experience before applying for a role as a college professor.

8. Become an entrepreneur

If you want to take control of your career and have an idea you’re passionate about, consider starting your own business as an entrepreneur. Becoming self-employed through your own business is a great route if you want to change your career path and become your own boss.

To become an entrepreneur, you must decide on a product or service you want to create and sell. Then, you’ll need to learn about the market for your business and begin figuring out how to make it a reality.

Is getting a master’s degree worth it?

A master’s degree allows you to grow within your field and expand your job prospects. If you have a master’s degree listed on your resume, you may stand out from others vying for the same role. With a master’s degree, you may also qualify to earn more due to your increased qualifications and experience.

If you’re considering pursuing a master’s degree, you need to decide if having the credential will benefit you and your career in the long term. Ultimately, getting a master’s degree is up to you, but it has many benefits that can allow you to grow and expand your career with more knowledge, skills, and experience.

Read more: Master’s Degree Salary Guide (2024)

Getting started with Coursera

If you’ve just completed your master’s degree and you’re looking to start your career, examine courses that will help you on your path to building your skills, updating your resume, and finding your next role. Consider Finding and Preparing for the Right Job offered by the University of California, Irvine, on Coursera to start your journey today.