How Long Does it Take to Get a Master's Degree?

How long it takes to get a master’s degree depends on you and the program you choose. Your college, degree program, desired pacing and personal goals are all factors to consider. 

Typically, it can take you about two years from start to finish. In some cases, you can finish in less time, and in others, you may want more time to progress through your courses or may need longer to meet specific program requirements.

Which Degree is a Master’s Degree?

If you're wondering what a master's degree is, exactly, it's a type of graduate degree some people choose to earn to gain mastery in a particular subject. Sometimes it’s for personal fulfillment, but often it can help you advance in your professional world or completely change careers.

A master’s degree is one of four types of degrees — the third highest when considering them in hierarchical order:

1. Associate degree
2. Bachelor’s degree
3. Master’s degree
4. Doctoral degree

One difference between a bachelor's and a master's degree is the order in which you earn them. To get your master’s degree, you must have a bachelor’s degree under your belt.

Many times, your master's degree does not need to be in the same subject as your bachelor's; however, some master's programs require you to have a specific bachelor’s degree. For example, if you want to earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, you'll first need a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing. 

How Many Years is a Master’s Degree?

One of the biggest variables when it comes to the length of a master’s degree is the number of credits. While bachelor’s degrees are typically 120 credits, making them 4-year degrees, master’s programs can range from 30-60 credits.

For example, a Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is 36 credits, while a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing is 48 credits. The MA program could take you as few as 15 months to complete, while the MFA program — a terminal degree — might take closer to two years.

A terminal degree means you have reached the highest level of education in that particular academic discipline.

In addition to the varying program lengths, institutions operate on different schedules. Traditional campuses often have semesters that are 15 weeks in length. Other schools may offer shorter terms year-round. At SNHU, for instance, master’s degree classes are 10 weeks long, and you have the option to take one (part-time) or two (full-time) courses each term.

If you take the maximum course load without taking a term off, you could get 30 credits done in about one year.

How you progress through your program is up to you and your timeline. When you enroll, you can work with an academic advisor to determine how many classes you can take per term and whether you'll need any terms off or wish to plug away at your degree year-round.

It’s important to note that your timeline can be flexible too, and your academic advisor can help you adjust it as needed. For example, you might start by taking one class at a time and later decide you want to double up one term. Or, if you know a particular time of year is busy for you, you may opt to take just one course during that time — or take the term off altogether.

Can You Get a Master’s in 2 Years? 

Absolutely! Most master’s degree programs will take an average of two years from start to finish — about half of the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree.

As you consider your reasoning for getting a master’s degree and your anticipated graduation date, completing a master’s degree in two years is a reasonable goal to set for yourself.

Can You Finish a Master’s in 1 Year?

If you're wondering whether it's possible to finish a master's degree even faster, the answer is yes. Some programs have fewer credit requirements.

For instance, you can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) online MBA at SNHU if your bachelor's degree is in business. Plus, you have a choice of more than 15 concentrations — such as accounting, human resources, marketing and project management — that help you narrow your focus to the part of business you enjoy.

If finishing fast is your priority, be sure to do your research. Find an accredited college or university with a program that works with your interests, career goals and timeline.

What Does it Take to Get a Master’s Degree?

If you’re ready to take your education to the next level and are wondering how to get a master’s degree, you can follow these six steps:

Consider Your Interests, Experiences and Goals 

What do you want to study? Would a particular subject be helpful in your current career? If you’re looking to change your career, what degree would help you move into your desired field? If you’re getting your master’s out of personal fulfillment, what interests you or excites you most?

Decide How You Want to Learn

Do you prefer to attend classes face-to-face on a traditional college campus? Or would taking online classes better suit your busy schedule?

Do some research on your desired school and ensure it has the proper accreditations and offers your intended program. Don’t be afraid to talk to an admission counselor — ask questions and determine whether the school feels like the right fit.

Apply For a Program 

Once you’ve picked a college or university you'd like to attend and decided on your major, you'll need to apply. Applications vary by institution and program, but they will generally ensure you have met any requirements needed to enroll — such as a letter of interest or portfolio item. 

You'll also need to provide information about your previous education. Some institutions will need you to request an official transcript, while others will take care of that step for you.

Get Accepted

Anticipating an acceptance call or email may feel like the most challenging part of the whole process, especially if you need to wait for a specified acceptance period. 

Some schools, such as SNHU, have rolling admission, so you’ll likely hear back from an admission counselor sooner.

Map Out a Plan With Your Advisor

Once you’re accepted, an academic advisor will explain how online classes work and walk  through any questions or concerns you might have. 

Your advisor will also discuss what courses and electives your program offers, help you map out a tentative timeline and register you for classes.

Take Your Classes

No matter how you’re pacing your program or which classes you’re taking, earning a master’s degree takes commitment, discipline and work. As you navigate your courses, motivation is key, and each semester or term gets you one step closer to receiving your diploma.

All master's programs take time. If you choose to pursue your degree online, the good news is that you can consider a degree at your own pace.

Asynchronous classes are available 24/7, meaning you can do coursework at whatever time makes sense for you. With set deadlines each week, you’ll know what to expect and can plan your schedule accordingly.

Some schools, such as SNHU, also offer around-the-clock support from the online learning center, meaning you can connect with a tutor no matter the hour.

Is Getting a Master's Worth It?

If having a master's degree will help you achieve your personal and professional goals, then it makes sense to put in the work to earn one.

A master's degree helped Naeem Jaraysi, '20G take his career in a new direction. After earning a master's degree in marketing, he accepted the role of a marketing specialist. This professional achievement positioned him one step closer toward his goal of becoming a digital specialist or marketing manager.

The work that went into the master's degree also helped him build confidence and know-how to connect with different audiences and contribute ideas.

"I didn't know if I had it in myself to do it," Jaraysi said. "But at the end of it, I'm realizing that I can do a lot more than I thought I could do, and, moving forward, I want to take on new challenges and accomplish them 'cause it does feel so great afterwards."

Beyond personal fulfillment and opening yourself up to new professional endeavors, a master's degree could help you boost your earning potential. Employees with a master’s level education took in a median of $1,737 in weekly earnings last year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported.* That’s $244 more than those at the bachelor’s level, according to BLS data.*

Read more: Is a Master's Degree Worth It?

How Hard is a Master’s Degree?

While bachelor’s degree programs involve many introductory and general education courses, a master’s degree curriculum is all about the subject area you selected to study.

A master’s degree should be rigorous, and it’s designed to challenge you. That being said, it’s also manageable if you put in time and effort. Plus, if you’re pursuing your degree in a subject area that interests you greatly, its relevance to your goals should keep you motivated.

At the end of your master's degrees, you may have the chance to take a capstone course that serves as a culmination of all you learned during your program. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your new skills and knowledge using a research topic that interests you.

Consider time management strategies to help you stay on track throughout your program and know it’s okay to step away for a little bit to recharge and refocus.

You can also lean on the people supporting you as you get this degree. Whether it’s a family member, friend, co-worker, advisor, instructor, tutor — or maybe all of the above — there are people in your corner that you can turn to for encouragement and help along the way.

Which Master’s Degree is Most in Demand in the US?

If you’re wondering what some of the most popular master's degree programs are, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that more than half of all master’s degrees earned in the 2020-21 school year were:

1. Business degrees – 202,300 awarded
2. Education degrees – 153,800 awarded
3. Health professions degrees – 142,000 awarded

These disciplines do not encompass all of your options, though. You can get a master’s degree in a wide range of subjects — from history to nursing, cybersecurity to finance and everything in between.

Consider your interests and career goals and choose the program that will help you get where you want to go.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing from SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn.