Masters Degree Programs
Getting a bachelor's degree is your gateway to a job, however it is not always sufficient. At some point in your career, you will realize that you need to acquire a master' degree. The truth is, many have already taken up master's degree programs to boost their career and marketability. And after finishing master degree programs, several of them were promoted and were granted higher salaries and better benefits.
Types of Master's Degree Programs
There are two types of master degree programs: academic and professional. (1) Academic master's degree programs, which lead to doctoral level, are categorized under master of arts (M.A) and master of science (M.S). M.A is usually focused on non-technical subjects like humanities, fine arts, philosophy, theology, and social sciences. On the other hand, M.S is centralized on technical disciplines such as science, agriculture, business, and engineering. Academic programs can be completed within one to two years of full-time study and may include thesis writing and comprehensive examinations. (2)
Unlike the academic master's degree, professional master's degree programs do not lead to doctoral programs but to a certain profession. Therefore, much of the time will be practically devoted to the application of knowledge instead of doing certain researches. Usually, a professional masters degree program does not require thesis writing and can also be completed within one to two years. Professional masters degree programs include master of public policy (M.P.P), master of education (M.Ed.), master of fine arts (M.F.A), (M.P.A) master of public administration, and master of social work (M.S.W). Professional master's degree programs are also offered in the fields of international relations, journalism, and architecture.
Requirements for a Masters Degree Program
Accomplishment of a bachelor's degree is necessary to enroll in a masters degree program. While the bachelor's degree should be identical or at least related to the intended master's degree program, there are some instances when the bachelor's degree's field of study is not a criterion for admission. (3) Some master degree programs also require M.A applicants to have significant working experience, which would later prove to be helpful, especially in having a deeper insight on the field of study.
Literary Citations & Article References:
1) http://educationusa.state.gov/graduate/about/degrees.htm
2) http://distancelearn.about.com/od/onlinecourses/a/masters_degree.htm