Types of Master’s Degree and Entry Requirements

Generally, there are two main types of master’s degree program: professional and academic masters degree. A professional masters program is designed for students who are in the professional field. On the other hand, academic masters program are for students who would undertake further research work and also teach in the same discipline.

Master’s degree can also be categorized in terms of subject matter, level of specialization, type of coursework and entry requirements;

Types of Master’s Degrees by Subject/Coursework Type

As earlier mentioned, we’ll be categorizing masters degree based on academic and professional need.

Master of Arts (MA)

A Master of Arts (MA) is usually awarded in disciplines categorized under the faculty of arts or social sciences, such as communications, education, languages, linguistics, literature, geography, history and music.

Master of Science (MS, MSc)

Master of Research (MRes)

A Master of Research (MRes) degree is designed to provide training on how to become a researcher. Containing a significantly larger research element than MA or MSc programs, an MRes may give candidates an advantage if they wish to pursue a Ph.D. or enter a career in research. Note that some institutions may refer to MRes-style degree programs as an MSc, so it’s worth checking the course content carefully before applying.

Master by Research (MPhil)

A Master by Research (MPhil) is an advanced research-based degree which allows the candidate to focus on a particular topic in-depth and independently, to complete a single large research project. An MPhil is often seen as an intermediate degree between an MSc and a Ph.D.

READ ALSO: Difference Between MPhil and Ph.D.

Specialized and Professional Master’s Degrees

There are also some specialized types of master’s degree which are often offered on a specific professional area. These types of master’s degree are also known as professional master’s degrees because they focus on career development in a particular profession.

Some professional master’s degrees start with the word Professional in the title, such as the Professional Science Master’s Degree (PSM), a hands-on degree with a heavy practical component giving students the skills and knowledge needed to work professionally in their chosen field.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration(MBA) is designed to give students the skills and knowledge required for career progression in business and management roles. Candidates are given broad training in all aspects of business, allowing them to apply their learning to a variety of careers.

Many MBA candidates are mid-career professionals, with many programs requiring at least three years’ professional experience. You can also choose to combine an MBA with a specialization such as accounting or finance and tailor the degree to a specific field of interest. Related master’s degrees include the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS).

Master of Library Science (MLS, MLIS, MSLS)

The Master of Library Science is designed to give students both academic and professional knowledge for entry into the workplace – in this case, libraries. Taught at an accredited library school, an MLS includes theoretical components along with a practicum (supervised practical teaching) or internship, ending with a research project or thesis.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The Master of Public Administration is a public policy degree similar to an MBA, but focusing on the public sector rather than the private sector. Students can specialize in areas such as the environment, international administration and science and technology with an aim to work for the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), not-for-profit organizations and in consulting.

The MPA combines academic and professional elements, with a focus on policy analysis and management. Other public policy master’s degrees include Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Master of Urban Planning (MUP) and Master of International Affairs (MIA).

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The Master of Public Health has academic and professional elements, taking an interdisciplinary approach to areas related to public health. Students are taught how to monitor, diagnose and regulate the health concerns of communities through public policies.

Many MPH degree programs are specialized in areas such as epidemiology, global health, occupational health, and nutritional sciences. While some countries accept students with accredited bachelor’s degrees for the MPH, others only accept medical graduates.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work degree prepares students for careers within the field of social work, focusing on improving the quality of life for individuals, groups and communities. The MSW is offered either as a clinical degree allowing students to work directly with clients or as a macro-practice degree preparing students for work in political advocacy and community organizing.

Master of Laws (LLM)

The Master of Laws degree is usually taken after having graduated from a professional law degree and gives candidates the chance to combine their knowledge of the basic skills needed to become a lawyer with specialist knowledge gained through research in a particular area of law.

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MA, MALS, MLA/ALM, MLS)

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide rigorous teaching in the liberal arts. Candidates graduate with both depth and breadth of postgraduate knowledge, with MALS programs drawing from courses and instructors from across the university’s postgraduate curriculum.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

The Master of Fine Arts is a creative degree granted in disciplines such as the visual, performing and studio arts. This may include creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, theatre and painting. Assessment and study are both practical, culminating in a major work or performance.

Master of Music (MM/MMus)

The Master of Music degree combines advanced studies in a specialist applied area chosen by the student (such as music performance, composition or conducting) with advanced studies in musical theory. MM degrees could be preparation for teaching music or to become a professional in a chosen field.

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

The Master of Education degree prepares students for careers in education. Some Master of Education degrees prepare student teachers to become certified, while others are more suited for experienced, already certified teachers to specialize in areas such as curriculum, instruction, special education, counseling and administration.

The MIT and MAT degrees include coursework and a student teaching internship and lead to the teacher certification qualification needed to teach in public schools.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

The Master of Engineering degree can be either academic (with a focus on engineering theories and practice) or professional (with a focus on preparing students for work in the engineering field).

While some MEng programs require students to become published in an industry journal, others involve training periods in industry or laboratories, or a combination of the two in order to graduate.

Master of Architecture (MArch)

The Master of Architecture is a master’s degree in architecture that assesses students through practical internships, final examinations and/or a thesis or final project in order to receive a license.

As MArch degrees vary in kind, you may find different names for different types of programs. Students are required to produce coursework in subjects such as design, building science, structural engineering, architectural history and theory and professional practice.

Master of Geographic Information Systems (MGIS)

The Master of Geographic Information Systems is a professional masters program designed for students who are ready to serve as leaders in the geospatial profession.

Geospatial professionals integrate, map, analyze, and interpret data across disciplines to identify trends, relationships, and patterns.

Students are required to produce coursework in subjects such as geospatial technology project management, geographical information systems, geospatial system analysis and design

Master’s Degree Requirements

Master’s degree varies in terms of the entry requirements. Applicants are expected to go through the entry requirements of each university to ascertain their eligibility. One of the general requirement is to have graduated with a bachelor’s degree. However, some program may require a certain amount of professional experience. Below are the most common requirements for different types of master’s degrees.

Postgraduate Master’s Degrees (MA, MSc, MLA, MSW, etc)

These master’s degrees are usually open to anyone who holds a bachelor’s degree. (See above for more information about the different types of postgraduate master’s degrees.)

Business or Management Master’s Degrees (MBA, MSc, MIM, MSM, MA, MEM)

For these types of program, master’s degree requirements usually include a certain amount of professional experience, especially in the case of an MBA (Master of Business Administration). An MSc in Management (MSc, MIM, MSM) typically requires a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, while an MA in Management is more likely to accept candidates from all backgrounds. The Masters in Engineering Management (MEM) is specially designed for engineering students.

Executive Master’s Degrees (EMBA, EMS)

Designed specifically for mid-career executive professionals, executive master’s degrees require candidates to have gained significant professional experience – even more than in the case of an MBA. The most common are Executive Master in Business Management (EMBA) or Executive MSc programs.

Postgraduate Research Master’s Degrees (Master by Research)

Master by Research programs are designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree with a significant research component and/or have several published research papers.