Getting a master's degree will be an incredible source of pride
and help bring you professional opportunities you may not
have previously thought possible. However, you need to know
a few things before you get started.
Why You Want One
The most common reason that people seek a master's degree
is to advance in their profession and earn more money.
Others, however, go this route in order to change careers
completely. For example, you may have earned a bachelor's
degree in English and later decide you want to become a
counselor. In that case, a master's will allow you to develop
expertise in that area so you can enter a new field. This type
of degree is offered in a wide range of fields, including
mathematics, biology, psychology, business, social work, and
many others.
How Long It Takes
It typically takes two years to obtain a master's of arts (MA)
or science (MS) after getting your bachelor's. There is
basically no difference between an MA and an MS other than
the name; they have the same basic educational requirements.
While you'll be in classes similar to those you went through to
get your bachelor's, they are typically more like seminars in
that they contain a great deal of discussion. In addition, you'll
be expected to perform much more analysis than you've done
previously.
The Workload
You can expect to do coursework full time. You'll have to take
required courses at first, but then you'll be able to focus on
your specific subject area later on. If you are studying a
science, you will probably do a great deal of fieldwork and
laboratory research. If you're in a professional program, you'll
probably be required to complete an internship.
You will either have to complete an extended research paper
or a thesis, depending on your field of study. The thesis could
be a scientific experiment or a detailed analysis of a certain
piece of literature. There are some programs that offer
alternatives to the thesis, such as a comprehensive exam. It
could be an oral test, a written one, or a combination. If
you're studying in a field such as psychology or social work,
you may need to perform an internship or practicum in which
you learn the skills needed to perform therapy.
Choosing to pursue a master's degree is not something to
take lightly. You'll need to be prepared to put in a great deal
of work and may have to sacrifice some of the things you
were able to enjoy while getting your bachelor's, such as time
hanging out with friends and more. However, once you
accomplish your goal, the benefits you enjoy could very well
last a lifetime.
and help bring you professional opportunities you may not
have previously thought possible. However, you need to know
a few things before you get started.
Why You Want One
The most common reason that people seek a master's degree
is to advance in their profession and earn more money.
Others, however, go this route in order to change careers
completely. For example, you may have earned a bachelor's
degree in English and later decide you want to become a
counselor. In that case, a master's will allow you to develop
expertise in that area so you can enter a new field. This type
of degree is offered in a wide range of fields, including
mathematics, biology, psychology, business, social work, and
many others.
How Long It Takes
It typically takes two years to obtain a master's of arts (MA)
or science (MS) after getting your bachelor's. There is
basically no difference between an MA and an MS other than
the name; they have the same basic educational requirements.
While you'll be in classes similar to those you went through to
get your bachelor's, they are typically more like seminars in
that they contain a great deal of discussion. In addition, you'll
be expected to perform much more analysis than you've done
previously.
The Workload
You can expect to do coursework full time. You'll have to take
required courses at first, but then you'll be able to focus on
your specific subject area later on. If you are studying a
science, you will probably do a great deal of fieldwork and
laboratory research. If you're in a professional program, you'll
probably be required to complete an internship.
You will either have to complete an extended research paper
or a thesis, depending on your field of study. The thesis could
be a scientific experiment or a detailed analysis of a certain
piece of literature. There are some programs that offer
alternatives to the thesis, such as a comprehensive exam. It
could be an oral test, a written one, or a combination. If
you're studying in a field such as psychology or social work,
you may need to perform an internship or practicum in which
you learn the skills needed to perform therapy.
Choosing to pursue a master's degree is not something to
take lightly. You'll need to be prepared to put in a great deal
of work and may have to sacrifice some of the things you
were able to enjoy while getting your bachelor's, such as time
hanging out with friends and more. However, once you
accomplish your goal, the benefits you enjoy could very well
last a lifetime.
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