Types of masters degrees

Marcel IfeanyichukwuNovember 15, 2024

0 29 11 minutes read

Are you considering advancing your education but unsure which masters degrees suits your goals? Explore the diverse types of master’s degrees and discover the perfect fit for your career aspirations! In general, masters degrees can be divided into two categories: research-based and course-based. Research-based masters degrees require the student to complete one or more research projects in a specific field of study, whereas course-based master’s degrees are based on planned course modules provided via distance learning, lab work, seminars, or lectures.

Master’s degrees in research typically require a little more time to finish than master’s degrees in instruction. As you can see from the lists below, master’s degrees can also be categorized according to topic matter, degree of specialization, coursework type, and admission requirements.

Why study for a master’s degree?

Pursuing a masters degree offers numerous benefits, both personally and professionally. Here are the key reasons to consider studying for a master’s degree:

Career Advancement: A master’s degree often qualifies you for higher-level positions, leadership roles, and specialized opportunities in your field.
Increased Earning Potential: Many industries reward advanced education with higher salaries and better benefits.
Specialization: Master’s programs allow you to focus deeply on a specific area of interest, gaining expertise and becoming a subject matter expert.
Enhanced Knowledge and Skills: Advanced education improves critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills, which are essential for professional growth.
Networking Opportunities: Graduate school connects you with professors, peers, and industry leaders, expanding your professional network.
Research and Innovation: For those interested in academia or industry research, a master’s degree is often the first step toward groundbreaking work.
Global Opportunities: Many master’s programs are internationally recognized, opening doors to work and study abroad.

Which Types of Masters Degrees Are Based on Research or Coursework?

gallery 2018Group 2

According to the most popular course names found in university lists, the many kinds of master’s degrees are listed below. There isn’t a single, standardized system, so you can find that different institutions have different names and different courses.

1. Master of Arts (MA)

A Master of Arts (MA) degree is typically granted in fields that fall under the umbrella of the arts or social sciences, including education, communications, linguistics, literature, geography, history, and music. Candidates are evaluated through an exam and/or a dissertation based on an independent research project, and they are taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.

2. Master of Science (MS, MSc)

A Master of Science (MS, MSc) degree is typically granted in fields that fall within the category of the sciences, including statistics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and health. Economics and the social sciences are two examples of subjects that can be classified as both arts and sciences; the name of the master’s degree program is up to the specific school. The MS may be thought to have a higher research component in some disciplines and be regarded as having greater weight than an MA in some sectors.

3. Master of Research (MRes)

A Master of Research (MRes) degree is designed to prepare students to work as researchers. An MRes program may offer individuals an advantage if they want to pursue a PhD or a career in research because it has a much greater research component than MA or MSc programs. Before applying, make sure to carefully review the course material because some universities may refer to MRes-style degree programs as an MSc.

4. Master by Research (MPhil)

A Master by Research (MPhil), a highly specialized research-based degree, allows the candidate to focus on one important research topic in-depth and independently. An MPhil is frequently utilized by universities to enable candidates to “test the water” before starting a PhD program, and it is sometimes regarded as a prelude to a PhD. Compared to other master’s degrees, this one often takes longer to finish; nonetheless, the duration and status of an MPhil vary greatly by nation and university.

5. Master of Studies (MSt)

A Master of Studies (MSt) degree is similar to an MA or MSc and is taught in a select few institutions (such as the University of Cambridge and Oxford). It involves classroom instruction as well as the completion of a thesis and an exam. An MSt may be utilized as a temporary enrollment for a PhD in some circumstances. This type of master’s degree is necessary in part because Oxbridge colleges automatically grant an MA to students who have earned a Bachelor of Arts degree after a certain amount of time. Those holding an MSt, on the other hand, have earned the designation through postgraduate coursework.

Specialized and Professional Masters Degrees

Types of master’s degrees

Additionally, masters degrees come in more specialized varieties that frequently concentrate on a particular field of work. These are commonly referred to as “tagged masters degrees.” Since they concentrate on career development in a specific profession, they are, after all, “tagged” to a particular field or professional master’s degree. Certain professional masters degrees, like the Professional Science Master’s Degree (PSM), which is a practical degree with a strong practical component that equips students with the knowledge and abilities necessary to operate professionally in their chosen subject, have the word “professional” in the title.

Classifications and course specifics will vary by nation and school, as usual. Some of the most popular types of professional and specialty masters degrees are as follows:

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The goal of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is to equip students with the abilities and information needed to advance in management and business positions. Candidates receive extensive instruction in every facet of business, enabling them to use what they have learned in a range of professions. Since most MBA programs need at least three years of professional experience, many candidates are professionals in the middle of their careers. An MBA can also be customized to a particular area of interest by combining it with a specialization, like accounting or finance. The Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) are related masters degrees.

2. Master of Library Science (MLS, MLIS, MSLS)

The goal of the Master of Library Science program is to prepare students for entry into the workforce, in this case, libraries, by providing them with professional and academic knowledge. An MLS, which is taught at a recognized library school, consists of theoretical instruction, an internship or practicum (supervised practical teaching), and a research project or thesis. In the US and Canada, professional librarian positions frequently require the MLS.

3. Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Though it focuses on the public sector rather than the commercial sector, the Master of Public Administration is a public policy degree that is comparable to an MBA. Pupils can pursue careers in consulting, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and non-profit businesses by specializing in fields like science and technology, international administration, and the environment. The MPA focuses on policy analysis and management while integrating professional and academic components. Other masters degrees in public policy include Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Master of International Affairs (MIA), and Master of Urban Planning (MUP).

4. Master of Public Health (MPH)

A multidisciplinary approach to public health topics is taken by the Master of Public Health, which combines professional and academic components. Public policy teaches students how to monitor, recognize, and manage community health challenges. The fields of epidemiology, global health, occupational health, and nutritional sciences are among the many specializations offered by MPH programs. While some countries only accept medical graduates for the MPH, others admit students with validated bachelor’s degrees.

5. Master of Laws (LLM)

Candidates can combine their understanding of the fundamental abilities required to become a lawyer with specialized knowledge obtained through research in a particular area of law by pursuing a Master of Laws degree, which is often pursued after earning a professional legal degree.

6. Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MA, MALS, MLA/ALM, MLS)

An interdisciplinary program called the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies was created to offer demanding instruction in the liberal arts. Because MALS programs draw from instructors and courses throughout the university’s postgraduate curriculum, candidates graduate with both breadth and depth of postgraduate expertise. Instead of choosing a particular career route, liberal arts students typically enroll in the course as a chance to explore ideas, push their intellectual limits, and learn new things.

7. Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

The Master of Fine Arts is a creative degree given in disciplines such as the visual, performing, and studio arts. Creative writing, graphic design, photography, film, theater, and painting are a few examples of this. Both study and assessment are applied, leading to a significant project or performance.

8. Master of Architecture (M.Arch)

Students pursuing a master’s degree in architecture are evaluated by final exams, practical internships, and/or a thesis or final project to be licensed. Different programs may have different names because M.Arch degrees come in a variety of forms. Coursework in areas including design, building science, structural engineering, architectural history theory, and professional practice must be produced by students.

9. Master of Engineering (MEng)

Both academic and professional masters degrees in engineering are available, with the former emphasizing engineering theory and practice and the latter preparing students for employment in the engineering industry. Students must complete training periods in industry, laboratories, or both in order to graduate from some MEng programs, while others need them to be published in an industry journal.

10. Master of Music (MM/MMus)

The Master of Music degree is granted by universities and music conservatories and combines advanced coursework in musical theory with advanced coursework in a student’s selected specialized applied field (such as conducting, writing, or performance). A master’s degree could help you get ready to teach music or pursue a career in your chosen sector.

11. Master of Education (MEd, MSEd, MIT, MAEd, MAT)

Students who complete the Master of Education program are prepared for professions in education. While some Master of Education programs prepare students to become licensed teachers, others allow more seasoned, credentialed teachers to specialize in subjects like curriculum, teaching, special education, counseling, and administration. The teacher certification qualification required to teach in public schools is earned by completing courses and student teaching experience as part of the MIT and MAT degrees.

Master’s Degree Requirements

types of masters in education degrees

The prerequisites that applicants must fulfill for master’s degrees also differ. Although it’s not always required, earning a bachelor’s degree is typically required to fulfill the criteria for a master’s program, and some programs also call for a specific level of professional experience. The most typical prerequisites for various master’s degree categories are shown below.

Postgraduate Master’s Degrees (MA, MSc, MLA, MSW, etc): These masters degrees are normally open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree.
Executive Master’s Degrees (EMBA, EMS): Even more so than an MBA, candidates seeking executive masters degrees, which are intended for mid-career senior professionals, must have accumulated substantial professional experience. Executive Master of Business Management (EMBA) and Executive Master of Science (MSc) programs are the most popular.
Business or Management Masters Degrees (MBA, MSc, MIM, MSM, MA, MEM): A certain amount of professional experience is typically required for these kinds of programs’ master’s degree requirements, particularly for an MBA (Master of Business Administration). While an MA in Management is more likely to accept applicants from a variety of backgrounds, an MSc in Management (MSc, MIM, or MSM) normally requires a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. The Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program is intended for engineering students.
Integrated Masters Degrees (MEng, MMath, MSci, etc): These masters degrees, which are typically offered in scientific and technological fields, come straight out of undergraduate degree programs. An integrated master’s degree program may be applied for immediately following secondary school graduation. Students may be able to bypass the last year and only graduate with a bachelor’s degree in integrated master’s programs, which typically last one year longer than undergraduate programs.
Postgraduate Research Masters Degrees (Master by Research): Master by Research programs are intended for individuals who have multiple published research papers and/or a bachelor’s degree with a substantial research component.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What distinguishes a master’s degree from a doctoral degree?

For students who want to work in academic research, a PhD is typically the next step after a master’s degree. Compared to a master’s degree, a doctorate often takes much longer to finish. In the UK, a PhD typically takes four years to complete, while a master’s degree typically takes one year. Additionally, although a PhD entails the student designing a thesis and conducting independent research under the supervision of a faculty member, a master’s degree includes certain taught modules.

2. Can I still earn a master’s degree should my bachelor’s degree be in a different profession?

This is feasible. In general, the topic of your bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree you’re applying for should be related. A person with a bachelor’s degree in biology, for instance, might pursue a master’s degree in medicine or veterinary science. Engineering is a possible career path for a student who studies computer science, physics, or mathematics. A student majoring in the humanities may pursue a career in teaching or law. Students who did not study the subject at the undergraduate level may be required to take a conversion course for some masters degrees.

3. Does obtaining a master’s degree require having a bachelor’s degree?

In most cases, obtaining a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for enrolling in a master’s program. However, substantial industrial experience may occasionally be sufficient for specific disciplines. To find out more, it is crucial to investigate the course you are interested in as well as the institution or postgraduate program you are thinking about attending. An institution’s website typically contains information on admission requirements.

4. How difficult is a master’s degree?

A master’s degree is meant to challenge you and improve your current skills. A master’s degree course will probably be much more independent, with the faculty offering less direct information and more of a guide to let you do your research, even though it is unlikely that you will be doing anything entirely new while pursuing one, especially if you already have a bachelor’s degree in the same field.

5. Should I start working before obtaining my master’s degree?

The student, the course, and the professional route all influence this. Work experience may be required for some master’s degree programs. A master’s degree may be necessary for some professional pathways before a student may find employment in the sector. After earning their undergraduate degree, some students decide to take a break from school and work for a period before going on to earn their master’s, while others complete their bachelor’s and masters degrees consecutively. The response to this question will differ, although it is frequently a matter of personal preference.

In summary, masters degrees are available in a variety of formats, each specifically designed to satisfy the distinct requirements and objectives of learners in a range of disciplines. Each type offers specialized knowledge and prospects for job progression, whether one chooses to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) for a deep dive into the humanities, a Master of Science (MS) for technical proficiency, or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) for leadership skills. Understanding the program’s structure, your personal interests, and your career goals are all important factors in selecting the best master’s degree. In the end, these degrees can provide you with advanced abilities, give you access to higher-level positions, and give you a big advantage in the competitive work market of today.