A master\u2019s degree today can be a ticket to a whole new career. As competition in the job market ramps up, employers are looking for specialized expertise to meet their business goals, and professionals with a master\u2019s degree are equipped to take businesses to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The demand for professionals with a master\u2019s degree is growing, and now is a great time to consider pursuing this type of graduate degree. With affordable options, online options, and accelerated options across countless fields of study, anyone can earn a master\u2019s degree and bolster their career opportunities and earning potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This comprehensive guide is a deep dive into the range of master\u2019s degrees available today, including the best master\u2019s degrees for a career change and the most affordable master\u2019s degrees. You\u2019ll also learn about the best master\u2019s degree jobs, how to add a master\u2019s degree to your resume, and what types of financial aid are available to graduate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A master\u2019s degree is a graduate-level degree acquired from a college or university. It can be pursued after completing an undergraduate program and earning a bachelor\u2019s degree. Although master\u2019s degree programs are shorter, at two years on average, than a four-year undergraduate degree, they are much more rigorous and harder to get into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To gain admission into a master\u2019s degree program, you will have to show that you maintained a relatively high GPA from an accredited institution during your undergraduate studies. Some programs even require you to have work experience in a related field before you\u2019re accepted. There are also fewer master\u2019s programs than bachelor\u2019s programs, so admissions are competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the US today, there are a wide range of educational institutions, but not all of them are equipped to offer students a quality education. This is where accreditation comes in. Accreditation is issued by outside bodies to programs and schools that meet predetermined criteria for providing the quality, standardized education demanded by a given field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studying an accredited master\u2019s program means students will graduate with a degree from a recognized and credentialed program. This will allow them easier access to jobs in the field and professional advancement throughout their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master\u2019s degree programs typically require the completion of 30 to 60 credits. This range is dependent on the requirements of the specific program and school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More technical or clinical programs, such as those in the engineering, medical, or sciences, could require more than 60 credits to graduate. For example, a Master\u2019s in Nursing requires anywhere from 36 to 72 credits, a Master\u2019s in Architecture program typically requires 42 to 110 credits, and a Master of City and Regional Planning is granted upon completion of 45 to 72 credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It takes two years to get a master\u2019s degree, on average. This relatively short-term time frame can be even shorter if you pursue an accelerated master\u2019s degree program alongside your bachelor\u2019s degree studies. A master\u2019s degree may take longer than two years to complete if the program is more lengthy or rigorous, or if you are studying part-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n