What is a Master’s Degree?
Master degrees are postgraduate degrees that are one rung below a doctorate degree, but can usually be completed in much less time than a doctorate degree. Master degree studies have come a long way from their origins in medieval universities, but obviously so has society.
In our modern era, the fast pace of scientific and technological innovation, increased globalization, growing organizational complexity, and the rise of the Information Age, are driving an absolute knowledge explosion And, as reported in *The Economist*, these change factors are driving “stronger and more continuous connections between education and employment.”
Today, master’s degree programs are playing a key role in helping employees level up, re-tool, and be high performers in innovative industries. Because of the demand for ongoing professional and adult learning, you can now find a wide range of online and full-time and part-time master degree programs.
Asynchronous learning and remote learning formats, and part-time study formats can provide flexibility that makes getting a degree possible for many older students who are busy professionals or have family roles and responsibilities to uphold. In short, online programming can save you time, save you the hassle of commuting to a college campus, and may make getting a master’s more affordable too.
However, if you can step away from your job, consider the benefits of doing so — of using your master’s degree program as an opportunity to dive into learning and refocus your personal and life goals. If you haven’t been in school for a while, you may feel lost or disoriented about your next steps, wondering if you’re ready to go back. A thesis requirement is perhaps most common in programs with a strong theoretical focus, including master programs that are designed to prepare students for research roles, doctoral studies, or advocacy and policy work.
You can also find many schools offering programs that don’t require a thesis. Non-thesis options frequently require a comprehensive exam or a capstone project that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter and may include research components, case study analyses, problem-solving skills, or elements of applied theory and design.
On-the-job experiences can help give you a realistic and practical appreciation of how to apply academic learning in work settings. This kind of learning component may be mandatory or optional, and typically takes the form of internships or supervised fieldwork activities. It’s good to inquire ahead of time about these kinds of activities and requirements, since the support you get for internship and fieldwork placements and participation can vary from program to program.
Getting a master’s degree can definitely help you pave the way for admissions to a Ph.D./doctoral program, but some doctoral programs require only a bachelor’s degree for admissions, but may also have other knowledge-based, work-related, or course-specific prerequisites. Some Ph.D. programs are structured so that students earn a master’s degree along the way. In these cases, you would typically need to complete the master’s degree — which may include passing comprehensive exams and required coursework — and get recommendations from faculty advisors.
Getting a master’s can also be a good way to gauge your personal level of academic interests before committing to a longer doctoral degree program. Since there are so many different kinds of master degree programs out there designed for different kinds of academic and professional needs and interests, it’s important to look carefully at all the requirements for programs you’re interested in. Reach out to admissions officers or academic advisors at prospective schools if you have questions.
