Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Right Masters Degree Program Gives Career Tools, Professional Highs

The masters degree is the graduate level degree conferred to a student who has been admitted to and completed the coursework of what is usually the first level of a post-graduate degree. In some instances a masters is an essential component of becoming a professional in a certain field. Obtaining a masters degree also leaves a candidate eligible to pursue their PhD.

There are a variety of programs for students who are looking to further their courses of study to this level within a field, and for some professions the masters is an eventual requirement for their chosen career. The track for this level can be research-based, course work-based, or it could be a combination of the two. The level of coursework is more extensive than the work required in order to complete the undergraduate degree.

A degree at this level can take roughly one to two years to complete and students generally need to accumulate anywhere from 60-120 credits in order to finish the program. Many masters programs are now online through some colleges, as well as traditional colleges. Masters degree programs are also usually flexible to accommodate those who have work schedules that preclude attendance during daytime hours.

The three masters degree programs that can open doors for candidates upon completion are the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education (MEd), and the Master of Public Administration (MPA). These are versatile diplomas that can prepare a person for rewarding careers that can be high paying in some cases or lead to high profile careers.

The Master of Business Administration is a versatile degree that introduces students to the vast nature of running a successful business. Core MBA courses are designed to teach students about human resources, accounting, marketing, operations management, resource allocation, etc. This program takes roughly two years to complete and students can choose a course of study to specialize in.

The Master of Education degree is becoming ever more necessary for people who have a passion for being teachers. Many MEd programs prepare candidates to move beyond teaching, however, there are degree programs within the discipline that emphasize learning theory and curriculum development. The MEd is a degree that is being increasingly required for teachers to obtain if they choose to complete permanent teacher certification in many states.

The Master of Public Administration is a degree program that focuses on governmental administration at all levels (local, state and federal). This degree is considered an interdisciplinary degree because in order to obtain the MPA a candidate has to show proficiency in a variety of areas from economics to political science. This degree lends itself to students pursuing careers in all areas of public life - especially those areas where one does not have to run for election.

Students who are willing to put in the work will find that the masters degrees is an excellent way to advance in a career that they may currently feel has stagnated or for students who would like to enter the job market with a leg up on the competition. Graduate schools offer all the tools needed to successfully complete this level of proficiency.

No comments:

Post a Comment