What Are the Requirements for a Master’s Degree? Know Before You Apply

Thinking about going back to school for your master's? Whether it’s been a few years or a few decades since you last submitted a college application, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the requirements for a master’s degree. Understanding what’s ahead can help you confidently navigate the graduate admission process.

Who Qualifies for a Master's Degree?

A master’s is a type of graduate degree, which means you’ll almost certainly need an undergraduate degree to qualify for admission. Typically, you’ll need to obtain an official transcript from your bachelor’s program to prove you’ve earned the credential and met any minimum grade requirements.

There may be other qualifications to consider, depending on the school that interests you and the program you choose. For instance, you might need to be a registered nurse to enroll in a graduate nursing program.

Speaking to an admission counselor before applying to a school or program can help determine your eligibility.

“One of the benefits of picking up that call from the admission counselor is having them be able to walk you through the program requirements in depth and making sure the program is going to align with your goals,” said Hayden Mailloux, a graduate admission counselor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

What Do You Need to Get a Master’s Degree?

If you’re considering a master’s degree, here’s what’s involved in the admission process, including steps to take and application requirements to keep in mind.

Find a College of Interest

When deciding where to earn your master’s degree, there are a handful of factors to consider, according to Dr. Lyndsay Goss, director of Continuing Professional Development in Nursing at SNHU. Those factors include:

• Accreditation
• Program availability and reputation
• Faculty expertise

But that’s not all. You need to find a school that fits your life, too. “It’s also important to assess the program’s flexibility, cost and delivery format (whether in-person, hybrid or fully online) to ensure it aligns with your personal and professional responsibilities,” Goss said.

Choose Your Program

You may know exactly which master’s degree you want to get. But if you don’t, you can speak with an admission counselor at a school that interests you. They can help you match your interests and aspirations to a degree program, according to Jade Bell, a graduate admission counselor at SNHU.

Through their experience engaging with prospective master's students, Bell and Mailloux said some of the most popular programs include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction
• Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science
• Master of Science (MS) in Psychology

But there are so many others — whether you’re interested in healthcare, liberal arts, technology or something else entirely.

Submit Your Application

You know which school(s) and program(s) have piqued your interest and are ready to start applying. Applications are often available online, and some can be started over the phone with an admission counselor.

In addition to providing basic information during the application process, you’ll likely need to submit documents that can be specific to the school or program you’re applying to. For instance, you may need to include a professional resume if you’re applying to a STEM program — or a personal statement for a liberal arts program.

Some schools still require test scores for admission, so you may need to take the GRE or GMAT exam. There could also be a licensure acknowledgement form that you need to sign or other online documents.

Admission counselors at the university you’re applying to should be available to guide you through these and any aspect of your application.

“If you even need us on the phone while you complete those documents, we'll stay on the phone while you complete (them)," Bell said.

Read more: How to Get a Master's Degree

Wait for Your Application to Process

If you attended a traditional college for your bachelor’s degree, you know that applications can take months to process. Some schools, though, have rolling admissions. That means it might not take long to find out if you’ve been accepted, and you might be able to track your application's status, too.

At SNHU, for instance, applicants will hear from their admission counselor. “As soon as an application is submitted, their assigned admission counselor will keep in contact and outreach frequently on any status of their application,” Mailloux said.

Should your application be accepted, you’re ready to enroll. You’ll receive your master’s degree diploma after passing your courses and fulfilling any other program requirements. You may even choose to participate in some experiential learning opportunities, internships or student clubs along the way.

Discover what it’s like to be a graduate student.

Is it Hard to Get a Master’s?

A master’s degree is meant to challenge you and help you grow your skills and knowledge in a specialized area of your choice.

“Graduate education is a significant commitment,” said Goss. "But with preparation and support, it’s absolutely achievable.”

If you decide to pursue your master's, consider letting your loved ones know what you’re doing and why.

"Establish a strong support system before you begin and accept help when it’s offered, whether that means delegating household tasks or leaning on friends and family for encouragement,” Goss said. You can also lean into your school’s faculty and advisors, who are there to point you toward helpful resources.

Choosing an online master’s degree could be a good option if you know you must navigate assignment deadlines and other obligations. If you’re wondering how online classes work, you’ll usually have weekly deadlines to meet, just like you would in person. But they can be completed during the days and times that work with your schedule.

“The flexibility of online learning allows students to balance their education with personal and professional responsibilities, making advanced education more accessible,” Goss said.

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 at 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.