Master Degrees Online Degree Categories

A master's degree can prepare recent graduates of bachelor's programs for entry to doctoral programs. They may also help students attain advanced employment opportunities. According to a Council of Graduate Schools (CSG) report, master's programs are considered the first step to professional practice in fields ranging from business to public health. They may also open doors to careers in nonprofits and government, the CSG adds. There are a number of types of master's degrees, including masters of Arts, masters of Science and the MBA. Depending on the discipline, these degree programs may last between one and two years. A master's degree can increase one's chances of gaining employment. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that individuals who held master's degrees in 2009 only had a 3.9 percent unemployment rate - compared to the 5.2 percent unemployment rate experienced by bachelor's degree holders. The number of available jobs that require a master's degree is expected to increase by 18 percent over the next seven years. These degree holders earn $12,000 more, on average, than individuals who have only earned a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.

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