What is a Master’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is a significant academic achievement, but your learning doesn’t have to stop there. If you have a desire to advance your career or expand your knowledge, the next logical step would likely be to pursue a master’s degree.

A master’s is a type of graduate degree that allows you to specialize in a subject area — mastering it, if you will. This means that courses often dive deep into the subject matter and usually involve scholarly research, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Some master's degrees require you to complete a thesis or capstone project to demonstrate your proficiency in the material.

NCES reported that of all the master's degrees conferred in the 2021-22 school year, around 69% were concentrated within five fields of study:

1. Business (23%)
2. Education (17%)
3. Health professions and related programs (17%)
4. Computer and information sciences and support services (6%)
5. Public administration and social services (6%)

What's the Difference Between a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree?

The main difference between a bachelor's and a master's is that they are different degree levels. A master's degree comes after a bachelor's degree and often requires significantly fewer credits.

"While a bachelor's degree, or otherwise classified as 'undergrad,' requires a well-rounded study of various subject areas ... A master's degree or 'post-grad' is proof of time and dedication in a particular subject area," said Ryan Perigny, a graduate admission counselor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Bachelor's degrees are often also referred to as "four-year degrees," as it typically takes that amount of time to finish 120 credits worth of classes. Master's degrees, on the other hand, range from 30-60 credits, meaning they can be completed within two years depending on your pace and program.

Whether you decide to get a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS), a bachelor's degree encapsulates general education courses in addition to foundational classes related to a chosen field. Master's degrees focus primarily on advancing your knowledge of the selected discipline.

Types of Master's Degrees

There are dozens of specialized master’s degrees in areas ranging from a master's in accounting to a master's in sports management. Whatever your professional interest, a corresponding master's degree program is likely available.

"When choosing a graduate program, learners should ask themselves in a broad scope "what is the environment I want to further a career?'" Perigny said. "Once an environment is established, such as the world of business, education, psychology or the arts, you can start to narrow your scope."

Whether you see your master's degree as a continuation of your field of study or an opportunity to change careers, it's important to consider your options and find one that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

The Difference Between a Master of Science and a Master of Arts

Two of the most common types of master's degrees are the Master of Science (MS) and Master of Arts (MA). People often question the admission team at SNHU about the differences between an MS and an MA — and whether one is better than the other to pursue. Admission counselors are quick to point out that the choice isn’t a case of which is better as a degree but rather which is better suited to the student’s interests and goals.

"MA degrees are typically focused on humanities, social sciences or creative fields, and ask students to interpret theoretical concepts with a high level of critical thinking," said Perigny.

Some examples of MA degrees include:

• MA in Communication
• MA in English
• MA in History

"MS degrees are often more technical or practical-based programs that may include more research or technology-based application in the world of science, technology or business," he said.

Some examples of MS degrees include:

• MS in Accounting
• MS in Higher Education Administration
• MS in Marketing

MBA, MEd and More

A research-based graduate degree is often a step toward obtaining a PhD (or doctoral degree); however, professional master's degrees prepare you for a specific occupation.

Some examples of professional master's degrees include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): If you're looking to advance or pivot your career in business, an advanced business degree can help you grow a holistic perspective. Whether you want to pursue a general business education or select a specialized track from more than 15 types of MBA concentrations, you can gain industry-recognized credentials.
  
  
• Master of Education (MEd): Earning a master's degree in education can help educators explore leadership possibilities in their field. If your focus is advancing curriculum and instruction, your classes may delve into design theories and principles applicable to all kinds of learning environments.
  
  
• Master of Public Health (MPH): Public health professionals use data to navigate health issues concerning all types of communities. An MPH degree can deepen your knowledge of the science, research, policy, statistics, economics and more that go into public health careers, helping you make positive changes to well-being.
  
  
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): With hundreds of nurse specialties, there are many pathways and directions registered nurses (RNs) can take in their careers. Earning a master's degree in nursing can help you stay up-to-date in a constantly evolving profession in a track that interests you — such as nursing education, quality and safety and population healthcare.

Some professionally-oriented master’s degrees are considered terminal degrees — the highest academic credential someone can earn in a specific field.

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, for example, is still widely recognized as a terminal degree, said Benjamin Nugent, the director of SNHU's Mountainview Low-Residency MFA program. Nugent's work has been published in Best American Short Stories, Harper's, The Paris Review and The New York Times Magazine.

Is a Master's Degree Worth It?

"A master's degree is truly an investment you make on yourself," Perigny said. "A master's is proof of time and dedication to the subject of the degree that many others have not committed to."

In some industries, master’s degrees are the standard prerequisite for many positions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, from 2023 to 2033, employment in master's-level occupations is projected to grow by 12.1%, the fastest of any education level.*

Perhaps because of the growing demand from employers, graduate programs are seeing a spike in enrollment. A report from the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) showed a 3.1% increase in first-time master’s degree seekers between 2022 and 2023 (CGS PDF source).

According to the CGS report, first-time enrollment for master's programs and graduate certificates was highest in the following fields:

• Business
• Health sciences
• Education
• Mathematics and computer sciences
• Engineering

You may also have a higher earning potential with a master’s degree.* BLS reported that the median weekly wage for full-time workers over the age of 25, whose highest level of education was a master's degree, was $1,737 compared to $1,493 for those holding a bachelor's degree*

The pay difference between degree levels often depends upon the industry and position.

While earning a master's degree can expand your career and salary opportunities, it can also help you grow as a person.

"After the years that I’ve been (at SNHU), completing my master’s degree, I’m much more confident in myself," said Adanze Chukwuocha '23G, after completing an MA in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. "With the experience that I’ve gained, I’m just a better person, and I’m very, very thankful for that." She also said she improved her written and verbal communication skills.

Melanie Martinez '23MBA, who earned an MBA in Music Business at SNHU, agrees.

"Not only have I learned how to manage my time better and prioritize life as an adult, but also, I feel a lot more confident in my ability and what I’m capable of," she said.

Martinez said that even after earning her MBA, she knows that there are many more opportunities for learning and growth in her future.

A master's degree is not only helpful in advancing your career. It can help you find more passion and confidence in the things you do in both your personal and professional life.

How to Earn a Master’s Degree

The prerequisite for most graduate degrees is a bachelor's-level education from an accredited institution. Depending on the school and master's program you choose to pursue, there may be other requirements, too; for example, you must have an unencumbered registered nurse license to earn your master's in nursing online at SNHU. While you can earn some MBAs without standardized testing, others require the scores for entrance.

To determine exactly how you can get a master's degree, don't be afraid to contact the admission team at the graduate school you're interested in for specific program qualifications and expectations.

Today, your options for earning a master’s degree are broader and more varied than they were in the past. For example, many who wished to pursue graduate school for a specific area of interest may have been limited by geography. Or perhaps family or work obligations prevented additional schooling because the scheduled class times conflicted with those commitments.

Flexible, online programs now allow easier access to MA, MS, MBA, MSN and other master's degrees, and coursework is more convenient to complete. The evolution of some industries — and the introduction of new ones — have led to exciting new areas of study at the graduate level. Dozens of accredited master’s degrees are available exclusively online.

How Many Years is a Master's Degree?

The time it takes to get a master's degree depends on the number of credits in your selected program and how many classes you take each term.

"Master's degrees are much shorter than bachelor's as they do not have the same requirements of 'general education' courses that span over a variety of subject areas," Perigny said.

Since the number of required credits varies greatly by master's degree, you'll have a better idea of a timeline once you've selected your program. An online MBA from SNHU, for example, is 30 credits in length if you have an undergraduate degree in business. It can take you just over one year to complete, should you take two classes per 10-week term.

While many traditional campus-based master's degrees can operate on a semester schedule, some online schools are term-based instead. At SNHU, for example, master's classes are 10-weeks long, and you can choose to take one or two courses per term. Your chosen graduate school can help you understand how long your program will take to complete and help you create a timeline that fits your schedule.

*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.