Master of Arts (MA or AM) and Master of Science (MS or SM).
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he master’s degree is the first graduate-level qualification, or second cycle degree, in the U.S. higher education system. Master’s degrees may be considered terminal professional degrees in some fields, such as the fine arts, or they may be considered as second degrees that may or may not lead to PhD studies. In some subjects, such as the behavioral and natural sciences, it is increasingly common practice to proceed directly from the bachelor’s degree to enrollment in PhD studies without being required to earn a master’s degree. In these subjects, the master’s degree is often considered unimportant for professional purposes except as an intermediate qualification that students may petition for in cases where they need such a degree for employment purposes.
Master’s degrees generally take two years to complete, but the time period may be shorter or longer depending on how the degree program is structured (12-month versus 9-month academic years, for example), whether the student is enrolled full-time or part-time, the degree requirements and the prior preparation of the student. (Some students may require additional preparation prior to undertaking certain types of research, or may require interdisciplinary training if their research field crosses subject fields or if they have changed academic subject concentrations from the undergraduate level.)
Some U.S. graduate students’ transcripts may show that undergraduate courses were completed in subjects such as languages, quantitative methods or a second subject. It is important to know, however, that U.S. accreditation rules do not allow such undergraduate credit to be counted toward graduate studies. Only if undergraduate courses are taken for graduate credit – requiring additional work – and are certified as such by the graduate faculty will an award of credit be considered.
Master’s degrees are more common in some subjects than others. In some fields, the master’s degree is a required or expected qualification; while in others it is either not required or has no utility in the job market. As a result, U.S. research doctorate programs do not always require a master’s degree for admission. The fields where master’s degrees are most commonly awarded include business, education, health and medical fields, engineering, public administration and social services.
The most common academic master’s degrees are the Master of Arts (MA or AM) and Master of Science (MS or SM). However, there are many different master’s degree titles, especially in the professional fields.
(International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education,http://www2.ed.gov)
he master’s degree is the first graduate-level qualification, or second cycle degree, in the U.S. higher education system. Master’s degrees may be considered terminal professional degrees in some fields, such as the fine arts, or they may be considered as second degrees that may or may not lead to PhD studies. In some subjects, such as the behavioral and natural sciences, it is increasingly common practice to proceed directly from the bachelor’s degree to enrollment in PhD studies without being required to earn a master’s degree. In these subjects, the master’s degree is often considered unimportant for professional purposes except as an intermediate qualification that students may petition for in cases where they need such a degree for employment purposes.Master’s degrees generally take two years to complete, but the time period may be shorter or longer depending on how the degree program is structured (12-month versus 9-month academic years, for example), whether the student is enrolled full-time or part-time, the degree requirements and the prior preparation of the student. (Some students may require additional preparation prior to undertaking certain types of research, or may require interdisciplinary training if their research field crosses subject fields or if they have changed academic subject concentrations from the undergraduate level.)
Some U.S. graduate students’ transcripts may show that undergraduate courses were completed in subjects such as languages, quantitative methods or a second subject. It is important to know, however, that U.S. accreditation rules do not allow such undergraduate credit to be counted toward graduate studies. Only if undergraduate courses are taken for graduate credit – requiring additional work – and are certified as such by the graduate faculty will an award of credit be considered.
Master’s degrees are more common in some subjects than others. In some fields, the master’s degree is a required or expected qualification; while in others it is either not required or has no utility in the job market. As a result, U.S. research doctorate programs do not always require a master’s degree for admission. The fields where master’s degrees are most commonly awarded include business, education, health and medical fields, engineering, public administration and social services.
The most common academic master’s degrees are the Master of Arts (MA or AM) and Master of Science (MS or SM). However, there are many different master’s degree titles, especially in the professional fields.
(International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education,http://www2.ed.gov)