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For those who want to go for graduation but are not sure how to choose a what Masters Degree should they get, this article will break down the different types that exist in various institutions across the world. The names of degrees might change depending on the continent or the university educational system.

Firstly, a general question that pops up in every mind is WHY MASTERS?

Everybody has their unique reasons to pursue their master's degree. Some popular reasons are as following:

  • It opens up career advancement opportunities
  • To develop specialist knowledge
  • It encourages flexibility and lifelong learning
  • To build your network(like-minded individuals)
  • A Sense of Personal Accomplishment:
  • It can be a smart steppingstone
  • Secure Protection During a Career Change
  • It’s a research opportunity

 It not only provides advanced knowledge but also opens up new career pathways for you. Master’s degrees are offered in different specializations across all streams, therefore you have a pool of options to select the right one for yourself with full confidence and a competitive edge. 

Generally, based on the method of graduating, the two types of Master’s Degrees are course-based or taught degrees and research-based degrees

Course-based degrees are structured with course modules that are taught through Lectures, Seminars, and Distance learning. They are similar to undergraduate degrees in the methods of teaching. The students follow a set of courses specified by their advisors and choose a field of study. The courses might require writing academic papers, doing projects, exams, and quizzes.

Research-based degrees are such that they require the student to conduct their research projects in a specific field of study. The student does not have a structured set of courses to take, so they have more extended projects. Research students have mentors and advisors who help guide them throughout their work, but in general, they work on their own. Research-based degrees given their nature take longer to complete than course-based degrees.

Besides the general distinction, there are also other types of Master’s Degrees based on subjects or fields of study.

TYPES OF MASTER’s DEGREE:

Master of Arts(M.A.):

The Master of Arts is the degree that students get after studying in the humanities or social sciences which includes the subjects like Art, Economics, History, Music, Linguistics, Etc. MA is a course-based degree that usually takes one and a half to two years to get. Assessment is done through quizzes, projects, and exams. Usually, because of the nature of the subjects that fall within this degree, students at the end might be required to do a dissertation through independent research.

Master of Science(M.Sc.): 

The Master of Science degree is awarded to students who study more research-oriented subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Etc. It is a course-based degree because it is taught through lectures and evaluation is done through examinations. However, there is more research in the sense that students have to work in laboratories and have projects to do. Many students get confused about the difference between an MSc vs MS degree, but in essence, they are equivalent.

Master of Technology (M.Tech):

The Master of Technology is offered in the field of engineering. Generally spanning 2 years, this is a very popular course among the types of master’s degrees. A candidate can pursue an M.Tech degree after completing their graduation in the field of engineering. The most popular fields of study for M.Tech include Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, etc.

Master of Research degree (M.Res):

The Master of Research degree is a research-based Master’s Degree. It is intended for students who are seeking to go into academia and conduct research throughout their careers. Most students who get a Master of Research degree continue to also finish their Ph.D.

Masters in Business Administration (MBA):

The Masters in Business Administration is one of the subject-based Master’s Degrees which gives students broad training to become equipped with the skills they need to manage businesses. This program is designed for those aspiring to become involved in the corporate management chain. Candidates with a graduate degree in any field (arts, science, commerce, etc.) are eligible to pursue an MBA, which makes it one of the most popular types of master’s degrees. Generally of 2 years, this course can be pursued in different specializations like Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, etc. 

Masters of Public Administration (MPA):

Whereas the MBA is for students who want to work in the private sector mostly, the Masters in Public Administration is for those who want to work in the government, non-governmental organizations (NGO), or not for profit organizations. The MPA gives students skills so they can effectively govern and focus on public policy. They take courses on budgeting, statistics, political economy, public policy, and others. The courses are all highly discussion-based requiring a lot of reading and writing of essays and academic papers. In the end, there might also be a thesis or a dissertation that the students need to do to graduate. There are different variations to it, such as Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Etc.

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil):

A Master of Philosophy is an advanced research degree that can be pursued in different subjects across all streams. Generally of two-year duration, this degree aims to polish the research and analytical skills of a candidate. Aspirants who are interested in pursuing an MPhil course, need to first meet the eligibility criteria set. The criteria may vary under different universities, however, the basic eligibility set is that candidates need to have secured at least 55% marks in the subject in which they want to pursue an MPhil degree at the postgraduate level. Candidates are usually shortlisted for admission in an MPhil course based on their performance in an entrance exam followed by a Personal Interview (PI) round.

Master of Public Health:

The Master in Public Health is someone who is interested in combining aspects of the medical profession with public policy. These individuals graduate with the MPH degree and go on to work in the public health sector or in different NGOs. They strive to make public health more affordable, equal, and fair for all citizens of a nation. The MPH degree can be discussion and research-intensive depending on the university, and students may be required to have a medical background. However, many universities accept students with different Bachelor’s Degrees on the condition that they finish preliminary courses which teach them a few basic skills they need before starting their masters.

Master of Law (LLM):

The Master of Law is given to individuals with a legal background mostly.  LLM degree can only be pursued by students who have completed their undergraduate degree in law i.e. LLB. The specializations offered in an LLM degree include Criminal Law, Administrative law, International Law, etc.

Master of Social Work:

The Master of Social Work is a degree given to students who aspire to become involved in improving the lives of the less advantaged individuals, groups, and communities. The degree can be a clinical degree with more focus on counseling and therapy for clients, or it can be a policy-related degree. Those who take the policy route to a Master of Social Work will work with public policy stakeholders to influence and advocate how these disadvantaged groups are treated. In general, the MSW is a degree that requires a lot of reading, writing, and research.

Master of Education(MEd, MSEd, MIT, MAEd, MAT):

Students enrolled in a Master of Education program are focused on all areas of education. They can go on to become certified teachers or specialize in special education, curriculum creation, counseling, education policy, and others. The Master of Education can also include different certifications and requires intensive research in the candidate’s area of interest.

The MEd should not be confused with the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT). The MAT degree is an advanced graduate degree that helps teachers in improving their teaching skills as well as advance their careers.

Master of Library Science(MLS, MLIS, MSLS):

The Master of Library Science will give students the skills and knowledge to be able to operate in and work efficiently in a library. The degree requires learning theory, as well as applying that knowledge in practice through internships and research to gain the professional capabilities required for the working positions.

Master of Engineering(MEng):

The Master of Engineering students can take two paths, the academic and the professional one. The academic path prepares students by teaching theory and practice and is quite research-intensive. Students are sometimes required to produce excellent research and become published in an engineering journal. The professional path is more focused on preparing students to work in engineering fields so it is more based on practice rather than theory. Besides doing research, students also participate in training, workshops, and do internships.

Master of Architecture (MArch):

Students enrolled in a Master of Architecture program graduate and continue to become licensed architects. The program is focused on practice and students are required to do internships, exams, and final projects to receive their license of practice. The coursework is also intense, but it can be different depending on the type and subject of architecture that students are interested in, and it is also best to check the curriculum to decide which programs to attend.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA):

This is for the creative professions. Students can take different subjects to get an MFA. It can be fields such as painting, photography, design, creative writing, filmmaking, or theatre. The coursework is focused mostly on practice with students taking first theoretical courses and then doing projects to apply them. The degree is awarded following the final assessment which can be done through a major project or a performance.

Related to the MFA are also specific art degrees such as a Master of Music (MM, MMus), which requires students to specialize in an area of music. This can be either a musical instrument or others such as conducting performance, or composition.

We will be covering detailed every master's degree option and its career prospects very soon. Till then, stay connected.


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