Post Graduate / Master Degree ?

Earning a master’s degree can place you into an exceptional employment category if you are seeking to advance your career.  A master’s degree is the next logical step to take if you want to further your education along with your career after you earn a bachelor’s degree.  While a master’s degree used to be merely a stop on the way for those who were really interested in earning their doctorate, this has changed in recent years.  Since the 1970’s, nearly twice as many master’s degrees are being awarded in the United States alone, to many individuals who return to the work force with more credentials and a higher earnings potential.

While an associate’s degree will get many people started in a professional career, you need a bachelor’s degree to move into management.  However, with some years of experience and a master’s degree, you are more likely to be considered for higher positions and more responsibility.  This is because earning a master’s degree is less about going to class and more about research.  By earning a master’s degree, you further expand the knowledge you already have through a deeper exploration of your chosen field of study. 

A master’s degree is generally attained after the completion of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science degree (BS).  For reference, a bachelor’s degree is considered to be an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree is considered to be a graduate degree.  A master’s degree takes about two years to complete in addition to the time spent on a bachelor’s degree, and requires about 30 credits of coursework.  There is also usually a comprehensive exam or final thesis required to complete the degree.  Master’s degrees are granted in most fields of study, although you may have to seek out a college or university that offers a degree program for your particular requirements.  A master’s degree is commonly awarded as MS (Master of Science) or MA (Master of Arts) although in some courses of study you will earn a more discipline-specific degree like MBA (Master of Business Administration) or MSW (Master of Social Work).

Getting a masters degree can also mean choosing a new career path.  By having a bachelors’ degree, you will already have the undergraduate course work necessary for any graduate degree like writing, math, science, history, psychology, sociology, computers, and communications.  Combined with practical work experience, it is very easy to shift gears and obtain a master’s degree in a different field of study.  For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree in English it is a natural progression to get a master’s degree in psychology, and then go to work as a therapist.

In fact, there are many other substantial career opportunities for someone who has earned a master’s degree.   Areas of needed expertise that are expected to grow in the next several years are veterinary science, mental health counseling, physical therapy, family therapy, medical assistance, environmental science, and continuing education.  Careers like these all require a master’s degree, which is well worth pursuing if you are interested in moving ahead with your career.  Because much of the course load is completed on your own schedule, many people continue to work full time while they earn their degree.  Some employers will even pay for you to get your masters, if you continue to work for them after you earn it.