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Attending graduate school can be a worthwhile endeavor that deepens your subject knowledge, adds a valued credential to your resume, shows your commitment to advancing your career, and potentially leads to higher salaries. In fact, more students are enrolling in master鈥檚 and doctoral programs. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) anticipates that graduate enrollment will increase by six percent between 2021 and 2031 [闭.听

As more students earn their bachelor鈥檚 degrees, a master鈥檚 degree can be one way to distinguish yourself. It鈥檚 also in demand across industries. Jobs requiring a master鈥檚 degree are expected to grow by 11.3 percent by 2032 [闭.听

Although a master鈥檚 degree typically doesn鈥檛 take as long to earn as a bachelor鈥檚 degree, it still requires significant time, commitment, and dedication. The average graduate student is in their 30s, meaning they likely have other responsibilities to navigate as they embark on a new degree []. In this article, we鈥檒l go over what it takes to earn your master鈥檚 degree, ways you may be able to speed it up, and what you鈥檒l need to apply.听听

How do you get a master鈥檚 degree?

To earn a master's degree, you will need to complete several semesters of coursework, among other requirements. Let鈥檚 go over the general expectations.听

• Complete around 30 to 60 credit hours depending on the program. Some programs may require up to 72 hours.听

• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as established by the college or university.

• Complete a final project, such as a thesis or research report.听

• Finish all coursework within a certain number of years, likely ranging from five to ten years, depending on your program and school.

Some institutions may also require:听

• Residency: Complete a set number of courses while registered at your institution.听

• Written or oral exams: Take a comprehensive exam showing knowledge of your field.听

• Foreign language: Pass a foreign language proficiency test, showing an ability to understand a foreign language. Many schools offer classes to help students fulfill this requirement.听

Master鈥檚 degree coursework

At the graduate level, you will take more challenging coursework that introduces advanced concepts and ideas. The majority of these will be in your area of concentration. Like a bachelor鈥檚 degree, you will choose to major in a subject, though you will likely be expected to focus on a specialization within that subject. For example, a student interested in earning their master鈥檚 in English may choose to study 19th-century poetry, or a student interested in earning their master鈥檚 in chemistry may choose to study forensic chemistry.听

Not every school or program offers the same majors or specializations, so consider what you鈥檙e interested in learning before you begin researching programs. This can help narrow your options.听

Thesis

Many master's degree programs require students to complete a research project, clinical project, or original thesis to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter. The type of project you complete will depend on what you study, the degree you鈥檙e earning, and your program. If you are learning a natural sciences subject and wish to work in a lab, then a research or clinical project might make more sense. If, however, you鈥檙e studying a humanities subject, a thesis might make more sense. Once you are enrolled in a program, an advisor or director should help guide you toward the best option for your goals.听

How long does it take to get a master鈥檚 degree?听听

Each master鈥檚 program is different, but on average, it takes between eighteen months and two years to complete the more common Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees when you can attend full-time.听

Depending on what you choose to study, some programs may offer an accelerated master鈥檚 program, which takes around one year, while other graduate degrees, such as the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), tend to take three years. If you need to attend part-time, it may take longer to complete your degree.听

As of 2024, a master鈥檚 degree costs an average of $62,820 []. Some programs, such as the MBA, may be more expensive. For example, the Harvard Business School MBA tuition is $78,700 for the 2024-2025 school year, meaning the total program tuition is likely above $150,000 for the two years [].

How to get a master鈥檚 degree at a faster pace

While a master鈥檚 degree typically takes one to three years to earn, earning yours in less time may be possible.听

Accelerated master鈥檚 degrees

Some colleges and universities offer a dual degree, often called a 鈥渇our plus one鈥� option, that allows you to earn your bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in five years rather than six.听听

You may also find that some programs offer an accelerated or one-year master鈥檚. In that case, if you can dedicate more time to your studies, either by taking more courses per semester or enrolling in summer semesters, you may be able to complete your degree faster.听

Online master鈥檚 degrees

More students are leaning toward obtaining their degrees online, thanks to the flexibility it offers. It can be especially beneficial for students who still want or need to work while earning their degree. Let鈥檚 review some of the benefits of an online master鈥檚 degree.听

• Time: Some online master鈥檚 programs are designed to take less time because they鈥檙e self-paced. For example, you can earn your Master鈥檚 in Computer Science on 糖心vlog官网观看 from leading universities, each offering unique coursework and specialties.听

• Flexibility: Because most online learning occurs asynchronously, you can often determine when you sit down to work on your courses鈥攅ither working faster or slower, as needed. That flexibility can be helpful if you continue working or have other responsibilities.听

• Cost: Tuition for online courses can often be lower because they require less overhead to operate. You may also save by not commuting to or living on campus.

Are all affordable master's programs online?

While many online master鈥檚 programs offer affordable prices, several institutions also offer affordable in-person options. If you鈥檇 like to complete an in-person program, consider options that combine in-person and distance learning. Many hybrid programs may be more affordable than fully in-person programs while offering classroom learning options.

How to apply for a master鈥檚 program

Applying to a graduate program is similar to applying to an undergraduate program. Let鈥檚 go over the most common requirements:

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• University or program application听

• Transcripts showing proof of bachelor鈥檚 degree

• Personal statement

• CV or resume

• Entrance exam scores, such as GRE or GMAT

• Letters of recommendation

Applying to a new subject area

There may be an instance when you鈥檝e become interested in a subject other than what you studied for your bachelor鈥檚 degree. You do not need to apply to a master鈥檚 program in the same subject as your bachelor鈥檚鈥攂ut you will have to explain your interest in the new subject, what you want to get out of a master鈥檚 program, and why you鈥檙e interested in studying at each particular school you apply to.听

Benefits of getting a master鈥檚 degree

There are numerous benefits associated with earning your master鈥檚 degree.听

Salary

Master's degree holders earn a median weekly salary of $1,737 compared to $1,493 for bachelor鈥檚 degree holders []. Some master鈥檚 programs, such as MBAs, tend to see higher returns for graduating students, especially from top programs. The median starting salary for a graduate from Harvard Business School is $175,000 [闭.听

Career opportunity

Some career tracks require advanced education. For example, if you want to work as an education administrator, public health consultant, political scientist, data scientist, or nurse practitioner, you may benefit from having a master鈥檚 degree.听

Development

More than the career possibilities you may be able to explore after earning your master鈥檚 degree, you may develop deeper subject knowledge, area expertise, and skill set as a result of your time in a graduate program. Plus, there鈥檚 the accomplishment of having completed a rigorous degree to strengthen your education.听听

Continue exploring how to get a master鈥檚 degree on 糖心vlog官网观看

Connect with leading universities in the US and around the world on 糖心vlog官网观看, where you鈥檒l find master's degree programs in computer science, health administration, business, and more. Explore the Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois or the Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan. Many programs allow you to enroll in a course or certificate, which can stack into the degree if you鈥檙e accepted into the program.