A master's degree is a post-graduate degree that follows the completion of a bachelor degree. Notwithstanding, an increased level of difficulty and rigor, a master's degree typically only takes two years to complete compared to four years for a bachelor’s degree. A master degree is a logical progression in one's education and career preparation. While a bachelor degree is the degree of choice among employers looking to fill entry-level positions, more and more professions now require a master degree as an entry-level qualification. The most common reasons for pursuing a master degree include the following:
- qualify for entry-level positions
- qualify for career advancement opportunities
- increase skill set and knowledge
- maximize earning potential
- set apart from competing professionals
The most common master degrees include the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA). The Master of Arts focuses on the fields of humanities, history, philosophy, social sciences and liberal arts. Students who pursue a Master of Science focus their studies on the sciences.