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What Is a Master鈥檚 Degree?

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Earning a master's degree could unlock a range of benefits, from career advancement to a boost in pay. Learn more about this postgraduate degree.

[Featured image] A master's degree student in a grey and black striped jacket and button-up shirt looks at their cellphone while walking across a college campus.

A master鈥檚 degree is a graduate degree that allows you to build advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied knowledge, forge a deeper understanding of your area of study, and develop a range of skills applicable to your trade. With a master鈥檚 degree, you can typically have more opportunities to advance your career as a valuable, knowledgeable employee or pursue further postgraduate education, such as a doctoral degree.

Learn more about master鈥檚 degrees, how many years it takes to earn one, common requirements, and some of the benefits you can experience after obtaining one.

How many years does it take to get a master's

Earning your master鈥檚 degree typically takes anywhere from one to three years, depending on several factors, such as your field of study and the time you wish to dedicate to your program. If you're currently on a career path, you might find that taking one or two classes a semester is more manageable and, therefore, may need three or more years to complete your program. If you're in a position to dedicate more of your time to being a full-time learner, you could finish within a year or two.聽

Typical requirements to earn a master鈥檚 degree

While different universities and programs have varied requirements for earning a master鈥檚 degree, the general guidelines tend to be similar.

Common admission requirements

Whether you鈥檙e pursuing an MBA, online master鈥檚 degree programs, or another type of master鈥檚, you鈥檒l likely need a bachelor鈥檚 degree and passing scores from entrance exams. Many master鈥檚 degrees follow common admission requirements, including:

  • A bachelor鈥檚 degree in your subject area (some institutions are flexible about specializations)

  • Minimum GPA from your bachelor鈥檚 program

  • Prerequisite undergraduate courses in the subject area

Common graduation requirements

Each master鈥檚 degree program will also outline what you need to complete it. Common graduation requirements include:

  • 30 to 60 hours of coursework

  • Minimum GPA

  • Master鈥檚 thesis, capstone project, or internship

What is a master鈥檚 degree vs. a PhD?

Although both advanced degree options can help give your career and earning power a boost, a PhD is a research-focused degree, whereas a master's typically helps you gain broader skills and knowledge for your chosen career field. A PhD requires you to complete a master's for entry, while a master's is the next step up from a bachelor's. A PhD, or doctorate, typically takes three to seven years compared to the one to three years learners usually take to complete a master's.

Read more: Getting a PhD in Data Science: What You Need to Know

Types of master鈥檚 degrees

Master鈥檚 degrees fall under an array of categories, the most common being Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. MA degrees typically focus on humanities subjects, while MS degrees usually prepare you for technical fields. However, an overlap exists between the two. For instance, you can receive an MA or an MS in special education.聽

Additional types of master's degrees include:

Whether you are looking to integrate a master鈥檚 degree into your long-term learning journey, focus on ongoing research, or simply obtain more specialized knowledge of your field, you have many degree options to pursue as a professional.聽

What are the benefits of getting a master鈥檚 degree?

The benefits of continuing your education can be pretty similar across different career fields, such as increased earning potential and the ability to take on leadership roles. Some of these benefits include:聽

  • Increased salary

  • More advanced job opportunities

  • Competitive edge within your career field

  • Access to new opportunities through networking activities in your field, like conferences available to graduate students

  • Focused understanding of the components of your subject

  • Chance to build skills you can utilize throughout your career, such as honing your critical thinking abilities

  • Opportunities to fully explore your passions in a practical way

How much can you expect to earn with a master鈥檚 degree?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a professional with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in the United States made an average income of approximately $1,543 a week in 2024, while the weekly average income for a master鈥檚 degree holder stood at $1,840 []. How much you make can vary based on many factors, including your industry, location, and previous experience.

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Article sources

  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ", https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2025/data-on-display/education-pays.htm." Accessed September 12, 2025.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.