What is a Master's Degree and How Does it Differ from a College Degree?

When it comes to higher education, there are a variety of degrees available to students. Each university degree level varies in length, requirements, and results. Depending on a student's personal interests and professional goals, they may choose to pursue a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or even a doctorate. A bachelor's degree is the most common type of college degree and is typically earned after four years of full-time study.

This type of degree is usually required for entry-level positions in many industries. A master's degree, on the other hand, is an advanced degree earned after a person has completed their bachelor's degree. Generally, the college or university requires that the bachelor's degree be in a related field. For example, someone with a degree in English literature would likely need to take some science courses before they can enter a master's program in chemistry.

Master's degree programs are highly specialized depending on the work the student is interested in obtaining upon graduation. Programs may vary, but they last from one to four years depending on the field of study and the number of classes a student takes per year. It is also common for master's students to attend classes while working full time. In some cases, such as that of lawyer or doctor, a higher education beyond a master's degree is required.

This type of higher education is called a doctorate. However, it is important to note that career success can often be achieved as easily with a professional certification as with a traditional university degree, especially in highly technical fields where employers care more about your skills than your university credential.To view recent college graduates and the degrees they hold, see this information from the Office of Labor and Statistics. As the following graph shows, college graduates earn more than workers without degrees and have lower unemployment rates. While many students stop doing so after earning a bachelor's degree, other graduates motivated by job requirements or simply an inquisitive mind choose to return to university to advance in the subject of their choice.