Quick Highlights:
- M.A. degrees are typically awarded in humanities and social sciences, focusing on theory and research.
- M.S. degrees are granted in science, technology, and technical fields, emphasizing lab work and scientific analysis.
- Both types of degrees can serve as stepping stones to doctoral programs but cater to different academic and career goals.
- Professional master’s degrees like M.B.A. or M.Ed. are terminal degrees aimed at direct application in specific professions.
When deciding whether to undertake graduate study or when selecting a program in your field of interest, it is important to understand what degree will be conferred in the program you choose.
Last updated: April 10, 2025
The type of degree indicates the focus and intent of the program—that is, the format of education that you can expect. A Master of Science (MS) typically focuses on technical, research-oriented fields and emphasizes quantitative skills, data analysis, and scientific methods, while a Master of Arts (MA) tends to emphasize critical thinking, theory, and creative or humanities-based disciplines.
The key difference lies in the focus: MS programs are more empirical and applied, whereas MA programs prioritize theoretical exploration and subjective analysis.
Why Should You Get a Master’s Degree?
There are numerous motivations for pursuing graduate education, each aligned with your personal and professional goals. Below, we explore 7 key reasons why a Master’s degree might be the next step for your academic and career journey.
1. To Gain Specialized Knowledge and Research Skills
For many, pursuing a master’s degree is about diving deeper into a specific area of study. Whether you’re driven by a passion for research or the desire to become an expert in your field, graduate school allows you to hone critical skills in research, analysis, and problem-solving. The ability to conduct independent research and contribute to your field is often a requirement for those pursuing doctoral studies, as a master’s degree serves as the foundation for future advanced degrees.
Fact: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a master’s degree earn approximately 20% more than those with only a bachelor’s degree, and they often qualify for roles that demand higher levels of expertise and responsibility.
2. To Enhance Career Opportunities and Earning Potential
A master’s degree can significantly increase your marketability in competitive fields. Many professions, especially those in business, engineering, healthcare, and technology, require advanced qualifications. A graduate degree can help you secure leadership positions, increase your job security, and provide a greater chance for advancement within your current career.
Fact: Research by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce found that individuals with a master’s degree tend to earn 30-40% more than those with just a bachelor’s degree, depending on the field.
3. To Strengthen Your Professional Expertise
Even if you’re already established in a career, a master’s degree can help you stay at the forefront of industry trends and innovations. For example, professionals in fields like healthcare, education, and technology must keep their skills sharp in order to maintain certifications, licenses, or just stay competitive. A graduate degree equips you with the advanced knowledge necessary to adapt to evolving industry standards.
4. To Transition into a New Field or Career Path
Not everyone who seeks a master’s degree is pursuing further education in the same area. Many people use graduate school as an opportunity to pivot to a new career or industry. This is particularly common in fields like business and technology, where a graduate degree can provide the necessary foundation to enter roles in finance, marketing, data science, or other high-demand fields.
5. To Broaden Your Network and Build Professional Connections
Graduate programs not only provide an opportunity for academic growth but also allow you to connect with like-minded peers, professors, and industry professionals. Networking with fellow students and faculty can open doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and mentorships that can benefit you throughout your career. Many programs also offer internships or co-op opportunities that provide real-world experience, helping you build a robust professional network.
Fact: According to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council, 80% of MBA graduates report that their graduate program helped them expand their professional network, which significantly contributed to their career success.
6. To Keep Career Options Open
For some, the decision to pursue a master’s degree comes from a place of uncertainty. You may be unsure about your long-term career path but recognize that furthering your education keeps many options open. A master’s degree provides versatility and can act as a safety net in an increasingly competitive job market, as it allows you to explore various roles and industries that require advanced skills and qualifications.
7. To Gain a Competitive Edge in the Job Market
In an era where higher education is becoming increasingly common, a bachelor’s degree alone may not suffice to distinguish you from the competition. A master’s degree signals to employers that you possess not only specialized knowledge but also determination, discipline, and the ability to manage complex tasks. It provides a competitive edge and demonstrates your commitment to professional growth.
Fact: The National Center for Education Statistics shows that the number of individuals pursuing graduate degrees has been steadily increasing. With a larger number of people obtaining bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree can help you stand out and demonstrate advanced competence to potential employers.
What can you expect in a Master’s degree program?
Graduate education offers greater depth of training and requires more initiative on the part of students to be self-directed and thorough in the study. Besides the lecture, there will be seminars, which are classes consisting of a small group of students. Through interaction among themselves and with the professor, they explore different topics through discussion, presentation of research, sharing of knowledge gained through reading, and other forms of exploration.
Many graduate programs provide a thesis or non-thesis option in their master’s degree programs. The thesis option is intended, but not restricted, for students who plan to continue to the doctorate. The thesis is done during the last year and requires original research. The student defends the thesis in an oral examination as part of the comprehensive final exam.
The non-thesis option provides an opportunity to take elective courses instead of the thesis and culminates with a final written comprehensive examination.
What is the difference between the M.A. and M.S. degree?
The M.A. and M.S. are the traditional academic degrees awarded for master’s degree graduate study. These degrees are steppingstones to the doctorate.
The Master of Arts is usually awarded in fields such as languages, literature, history, geography, philosophy, social sciences and fine arts.
The Master of Science is the degree awarded for the natural sciences, mathematics, and for technical fields such as engineering, agriculture, and computer science. M.S. programs involve lab work, scientific research, analysis, and evaluation.
What is the terminal Master’s degree?
Terminal masters degrees do not lead to doctoral programs. These are usually professional master’s degrees and involve direct application of knowledge to an applied field. The common examples are the master of business administration (M.B.A.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of social work (M.S.W.) and Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.).
Some other common professional degrees are M.Arch. (Architecture), M.H.A. (Health Administration), M.I.L.R. (Industrial and Labor Relations), M.I.A. (International Affairs), M.L.S. (Library Science), M.P.A. (Public Administration), M.P.H. (Public Health), M.S.N. (Nursing), Th.M. (Theology) and M.U.P. (Urban Planning).
Some master of psychology offer a terminal masters. It prepares psychology students for a job in their area of specialty. An MA in psychology focuses on liberal arts, while an MS focuses on research. Though often the classes are similar in nature.
What is a Professional Science Master’s?
The PSM degree is a more recent development that was developed in concert with industry to meet the management need for technology-based companies, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations. A two-year academic study in science or mathematics is combined with coursework in management, policy or law. Check out this program locator here.
What is the difference between an MA and an MBA?
Master of Arts programs are about research and theory. People who get an MA may choose to go on for a doctoral degree. They do not need job experience to pursue this degree. The Master of Business Administration is a professional degree and is for people who have been in the business or economic world for a few years already. An MBA offers education in finance, accounting, marketing, leadership and management.
An MBA is an applied degree with skills directly applicable. An MA is a research and theory degree that teach students to interpret and analyze information.
What are some careers and salaries with a Master’s Degree?
Does a master’s degree make a large difference in career advancement and in salary earned as differentiated from the bachelor’s degree? We can look at some examples and study the differences.
In the field of nursing, the registered nurse holds either an associate degree or a bachelor’s. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) registered nurses nationally earned a median salary of $86,070 in 2023. The job outlook for the period 2023 to 2033 is predicted to be 6 percent, or much higher than average.
If registered nurses went on to get a master’s (MSN), they made a significant jump in salary. The BLS reported that in 2023, the combined group of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners made a median salary of $129,480. These advanced practice nurse specialists (APRNs) face a large demand for their services: their job outlook 2023 to 2033 is predicted to be 40 percent, much higher than average.
In the field of business administration, Fortune reported the 2015 predictions of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the organization that administers the GMAT. GMAC surveyed corporate recruiters and reported that the median expected salaries for new MBAs would be $100,000. The starting salary for BBAs was expected to be $55,000.
What are some funding sources for Master’s Degree students?
Graduate school can be very expensive, especially when you are attending full time. FinAid.Org reports that the average cost of a master’s degree ranges from $30,000 to $120,000. For the MBA, the average is $40,000, but at a Harvard or Stanford, might be $120,000.
There are varied sources of funding support for graduate study. The Financial Aids office of the schools to which you are applying should have a comprehensive file to help you. However, there are various independent groups not necessarily linked to particular schools that you can investigate. Also, professional organizations usually offer scholarships. The idea is to research and explore widely.
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