What Master's Degree Should I Get?

Are you ready to get your master's degree but haven't quite figured out the direction you'll take?

Two graduate admission counselors at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Jade Bell and Hayden Mailloux, shared their advice to help you decide on a master's program.

How to Choose a Master's Program

Here are 4 tips to help you make your pick:

Identify Your Goals — Where Are You Headed?

Think about where you want to be after you graduate. Do you want to dive deep into a subject you're passionate about? Do you want to advance in your current role or find a different job? Knowing exactly what you hope to get out of a master's will help you choose a program that can take you where you want to go.

Bell said she often has deep conversations with students about their goals, aspirations and backgrounds.

"Asking them about what their dream job is, and then asking them if they've looked at job postings or if they've spoken to someone already in that career field to see what type of education is required to get into that field of work," she said.

Looking to do something new? Read about the best master's degree for a career change.

On Campus vs. Online — Decide What's Right for You

Some prefer to get their master's in person, but that isn't the right fit for everyone. There are plenty of good reasons to earn your master's online, like the flexibility to work a full-time job while advancing your education.

Consider both possibilities and determine which one makes the most sense for your life.

Explore Your Options — Check Out Schools and Programs

Next, you'll need to choose a master's program from a school that offers quality, accredited degrees.

How Do You Know Which Master's is Right for You?

The most valuable master's degree for you will depend on where you'd like to go and what you'd like to do.

"The best advice that I would give to someone choosing a master's program would be to choose something that they're most passionate about, something that they thoroughly enjoy, because that will also make the educational experience more enjoyable as well," Mailloux said.

Be sure to explore all your possibilities when it comes to choosing a degree in the field of your choice. For example, if you're looking to get into marketing, you could earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing, or you could earn a dedicated Master of Science (MS) in Marketing. Examining the differences between your options will help you make an informed decision.

Take a look at 5 of the most beneficial master's degrees.

Research — Ask Questions, Find Answers

Once you've narrowed down your list, it's time to think about the details:

• What are the outcomes? Research what graduates of this program can do with their degrees and determine whether those outcomes are aligned with your goals.
  
  
• What about tuition? Consider your budget and make a plan for how to pay for your master's degree.
  
  
• Are you set up to succeed? Set up a schedule for yourself and make sure you have all the required tools, equipment and support you'll need to be successful.

Mailloux and Bell both emphasized the value of having a conversation with an admission counselor when considering these questions and making your choice.

"So one thing about the admissions process here with SNHU is that we're here to help you," Bell said. "That's our goal, that's our job — to help students get into the program and do it as smoothly as possible so you can focus on completing those classes and at the end of the day, walking across that stage."

*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.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.