WHAT IS A MASTER DEGREE ?

What a Master’s Degree Means ?

A master’s degree is an academic qualification awarded at the graduate level to individuals who have successfully completed studies that demonstrate a high level of expertise in a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

Students who graduate with a master’s degree must possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied subjects. They must also possess a high level of skills and techniques associated with the chosen subject area and a range of transferable and professional skills obtained through independent, highly focused learning and research.

Master’s degrees generally take between one and three years to complete, either part-time or full-time. The specific length varies depending on the subject, the country in which you study, and the type of master’s degree you choose.

In terms of study credits, the standardized European higher education system specifies that students must have 90-120 credits from the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). On the other hand, 180 credits are required to complete a Master’s program in the UK, and 36-54 semester credits in the United States.

A master’s degree can be a viable option for those who wish to broaden their knowledge of a particular subject or explore other areas of interest after completing a university degree or improving their career prospects.

The nature of master’s programs means that prospective students must be prepared for an intensive learning experience that incorporates their undergraduate studies and/or their employment experience. Each subject and degree program will differ in exact requirements.

But for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a different subject than the master’s degree they wish to pursue, expect to take some prerequisite courses either before starting the program or within the first two semesters to catch up with other students with a bachelor’s degree in the field.

Once you begin your program, there will usually be core courses that will help guide you into the field, so that you can provide an overview and lay the foundation of knowledge and skills to continue with the degree.

Most master’s programs do not have many general education-type courses required outside the major, but some will require courses in communication, writing, mathematics, or science that are an integral part of the major.

For people who have been working in the field of study, they can forego some of the basic courses based on experience or testing. In some master’s programs, you can follow a track or major by choosing particular courses in the latter part of the program.

For example, those pursuing an MBA degree may choose to specialize in, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Risk Management, or any other special area of business.

Different programs for the same degree will offer different elective or specialized areas, so it is worth researching your options to find a program with a strong focus on the area you are most interested in pursuing.

Studies in Different Academic Levels