Master’s Degrees

A graduate degree focused on humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts disciplines.

Common characteristics:

• Emphasis on critical thinking, research, and communication
• Often includes thesis or capstone options
• Common in psychology, education, communication, and social sciences

A degree focused on scientific, technical, or quantitative fields.

Common characteristics:

• Strong emphasis on data, analysis, and applied research
• Often includes lab work or technical coursework
• Common in STEM, healthcare, IT, and business analytics

A professional graduate degree focused on business leadership and management.

Common characteristics:

• Emphasis on strategy, finance, operations, and leadership
• Often designed for working professionals
• Common pathway to management and executive roles

A graduate degree focused on teaching, leadership, and educational practice.

Common characteristics:

• Designed for educators and administrators
• May lead to licensure or endorsement (varies by state)
• Common in curriculum design, instructional leadership, and administration

A terminal graduate degree in creative and performing arts.

Common characteristics:

• Studio- or performance-intensive curriculum
• Emphasis on creative mastery and portfolio development
• Common in writing, visual arts, film, and theater

A professional degree focused on public service and nonprofit leadership.

Common characteristics:

• Emphasis on policy, governance, and public management
• Common for government and nonprofit careers
• Practice-oriented curriculum

A professional degree focused on population health and public health systems.

Common characteristics:

• Emphasis on epidemiology, health policy, and prevention
• Common in healthcare, government, and nonprofit roles
• Often includes practicum or field experience

A professional degree focused on social services and community support.

Common characteristics:

• Required for clinical social work licensure
• Includes supervised field placements
• Common in healthcare, schools, and community organizations

A professionally focused graduate degree in engineering.

Common characteristics:

• Emphasis on applied engineering practice
• Less research-focused than MS degrees
• Designed for industry and technical leadership roles

An advanced legal degree pursued after earning a law degree.

Common characteristics:

• Specialized legal focus
• Often pursued by international or practicing attorneys
• Emphasis on advanced legal theory or practice areas

A professional graduate degree in architecture.

Common characteristics:

• Required for architectural licensure in many states
• Studio-intensive curriculum
• Often longer than typical master’s programs

Many employers offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement for master’s degrees, especially when the program aligns with job-related skills or career development. Coverage varies by employer and program.

• A master’s degree focuses on advanced knowledge and professional skills.
• A doctorate is the highest academic degree and focuses on original research or advanced professional practice.

Master’s degrees are typically shorter and more career-focused.

An accelerated master’s program allows students to complete a graduate degree in less time than a traditional program, often in 12–18 months instead of 2+ years. This is usually done through shorter terms, heavier course loads, or year-round enrollment.