What Is an MA Degree?

The Master of Arts (MA) degree is a graduate degree focused on the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Because it covers many subjects, the MA degree tends to be an incredibly popular master's degree, along with the Master of Science (MSc).

Earning your MA degree may allow you to gain specialized knowledge, further develop your skills, and advance in your career. 

Discover the subjects you can study if you're interested in earning an MA degree, how long it takes to earn this degree, and how it compares to other types of master's.  

What is an MA degree?

A Master of Arts—or MA degree—is a master's degree that can help you deepen your knowledge of a subject in the humanities, social sciences, and arts.

Programs typically take between one and three years to complete. Additionally, you may find it more affordable to earn online master's degrees rather than in-person learning because each program's overhead tends to be lower online. On top of that, you don't have to relocate to attend.

MA degree subjects

You can earn your MA degree in many subjects, including English literature, urban studies, global studies, communications, geography, and more. You don't have to earn your MA degree in the same subject as your bachelor's degree.

In a Master of Arts program, some options to study include:

• Anthropology

• Agricultural studies

• Canadian studies

• Economics

• History

• Indigenous studies

• French

• English

• Philosophy

• Political science

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Art

• Religious studies

• Women and gender studies

• Dramatic arts

What does earning an MA degree involve?

The MA degree program generally begins with coursework and ends with a master's thesis that allows you to showcase your research skills on a topic of your choice.

While each program differs, you can expect to take graduate courses for most of your program and spend the final semester or year working on your thesis. Your classes will likely include seminars that allow you to interact with your professors on niched topics and subtopics. You can expect to spend time listening to lectures, participating in discussions, researching topics, and presenting information.  

How does an MA degree differ from other types of master’s degrees?

The biggest difference between an MA degree and other master's degrees has to do with what you study. That's because, at all college levels, the type of degree you earn typically reflects the subject you majored in (or, in the case of master's programs, specialized in).

The other difference is that there isn't as much of a set outcome as there can be with other kinds of master's degrees. For instance, earning your master's degree in philosophy can prepare you for a number of roles, whereas earning your Master of Education (MEd) prepares you to advance your career in education.

Other master's degrees, like the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), are considered terminal degrees in their fields, meaning it's the highest degree you can earn in that subject. Once you graduate, you may be able to apply to teach at the university level if you hold that degree. 

Compare these different kinds of master’s degrees:

• A Master of Science (MSc) usually applies to science fields, including nursing, engineering, biology, and statistics, but some schools offer this degree in certain social sciences subjects, like psychology. MSc degree coursework may include more of an emphasis on technical skills development.

• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an incredibly popular master's degree for those who are interested in deepening their understanding of business, finance, marketing, and management. In addition to getting a foundational overview of business, you may choose to specialize in an area like marketing or finance.

• The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a master's degree for those interested in a career as a licensed clinical social worker, addiction counsellor, school counsellor, and more. These degree programs help prepare you to take licensing exams and may include fieldwork and internships.

• The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is designed to prepare students for careers in public service administration. This degree shares many similarities with the Master of Business Administration, but people who choose this degree typically plan to pursue work with government or non-profit agencies.

• A Master of Education (MEd) applies to the field of education. Students who choose this degree may work in educational leadership roles, such as school principals, department heads, or directors of education. They may also become curriculum developers or instructional designers for school districts and private education-focused companies. 

• The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is geared toward people who want to work in a library. It can also be a helpful master's program if you plan to work as an archivist, librarian, researcher, information manager, or interaction designer.

• A Master of Nursing (MSN) program is a professional degree typically used by registered nurses or individuals with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who want to advance their careers. With this degree, you may be able to seek leadership positions within a health care facility.

• The Master of Law (LLM) was developed for people who want to work in the legal profession but want to further their education after a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. During an LLM, you may choose a concentration such as business law; criminal law, legal theory, health law, ethics, and policy. 

What are the entry requirements for an MA degree?

The entry requirements for an MA degree can vary, but in many cases, you will need at least a bachelor's degree before applying. As we mentioned earlier, this doesn't need to be in the same subject as your bachelor's degree, but you may want to explain why you're interested in studying a new subject and what you hope to do with your advanced degree.

Some schools may also ask you to take the GRE or a comparable graduate entrance exam; others may expect you to have a minimum GPA in your undergraduate work. Other requirements may include the following:

• Application

• Essay or writing sample

• Letter of intent

• Recommendations or references

• Transcripts from previous schools

What can I do with an MA degree?

After completing your MA degree, you can pursue new career opportunities, seek career advancement opportunities, or continue your education by earning a PhD.

The careers you can pursue will ultimately depend on what you study. For example, if you study English, you can become a copywriter, journalist, editor, teacher, or researcher, among other roles. That's because subjects in the humanities and social sciences emphasize valuable workplace skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are desired skills in the workplace.

Get started on Coursera

Getting your MA degree can launch your career and help you prepare for your chosen dream job. If you’re looking for greater flexibility as you consider earning your master's degree, explore whether an online master's degree from a leading university on Coursera could be a good fit. 

You can also start prepping for your degree today with online courses, such as the Imperial College London’s Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success course or the University of Sydney’s Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat course to learn how to be strategically creative in whatever industry you end up in.