How Long Does It Take To Get A Master’s Degree?
Thinking about what to do after your bachelor’s?
Deciding to head back to school to get your master’s degree is a huge decision.
Maybe you need more schooling for your career, or maybe you found the perfect program to help you get a leg up against all the other students hunting for jobs. Regardless, deciding to sign up for another X amount of years of school is a daunting prospect.
Before you start sending out your applications for graduate school, make sure you’re clued up about how long it takes to get a master’s degree and all the other handy things there are to know about life after your bachelor’s.
Don’t want to spend more time in education? We’ve got top tips for how to improve your resume so you’re able to land a job.
In this guide:
- What is a master’s degree?
- How much is a master’s degree?
- How many credits is a master’s degree?
- What comes after a master’s degree?
- How long does it take to get a master’s degree in psychology?
- How long does it take to get a master’s degree in education?
- How long does it take to get a master’s degree in social work?
- How long does it take to get a master’s degree in engineering?
- How long does it take to get a master’s degree in nursing?
What is a master’s degree?
A master’s degree is an academic qualification that allows students at the graduate level to build up advanced knowledge of their specialized subject. The degree delves deep into your study so you can further develop the skills that will help give you more career opportunities once your studies are finished.
In most cases, you’ll need to have completed undergraduate studies (a bachelor’s degree) before you can apply for a master’s degree.
Upon receiving a master’s degree, you will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of various topics within your field, a range of professional skills, and research applications as well. Many employers highly value master’s degrees, so you’re going to want to do plenty of research to see if it would be beneficial to your career to go back to get your master’s degree.
How much is a master’s degree?
The average cost for a master’s degree is around $30,000 per year — no small fee, especially if you already have a lot of student debts. Like with most things, however, the cost of a master’s degree will vary.
A typical price range for a master’s degree is between $44,000 and $57,000 per year. Some programs, however, can cost upwards of $60,000 per year. That’s why it’s important to find plenty of financial aid options or apply for a fully funded master’s degree program.
If you are dead set on getting your master’s degree, there are plenty of resources available to help you fund your schooling:
- Scholarships
- Student grants for college
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Fully funded programs
How many credits is a master’s degree?
The exact number of credits you’ll get for a master’s degree will depend on the school and program, but typically a master’s degree is between 36-48 credits. Sometimes the range is around 30-72 credits.
What comes after a master’s degree?
If you choose to continue with further education after your master’s degree, a doctoral degree (PhD) is the next step. PhDs can take three to six years to complete, sometimes longer depending on your study topic and research.
Deciding to get your PhD is a huge undertaking. While most PhD programs are fully funded (or you work for the college you’re attending in order to pay for your degree), it’s another potentially 6 or more years of school.
If you’re looking to get out into the workforce ASAP, getting your PhD isn’t the best plan. But some fields, like medicine, require it. You’ll just want to weigh your options (and consider your finances) before deciding to go for a doctoral degree.
How long does it take to get a master’s degree in psychology?
A master’s degree in psychology takes approximately two to three years to complete (based on full-time study). It does depend on the school and program you attend however; some master’s degrees can be finished within a year, others longer if studying part-time.
How long does it take to get a master’s degree in education?
If you’re thinking of studying for a master’s degree in education (MEd), expect it to take between one and three years to complete. If you opt to study part-time, it might take longer than two years.
There are some programs that offer summer-only classes so you can stretch your master’s degree over several years if you’re unable to commit for the whole of the school year.
How long does it take to get a master’s degree in social work?
Studying for a master’s degree in social work (MSW) can take anywhere between one to four years depending on the school and program type. Sometimes you can complete an MSW in one year if you have prior coursework in similar subject areas.
How long does it take to get a master’s degree in engineering?
Depending on the school and program, completing a master’s degree in engineering can take one to three years. Some schools offer accelerated programs so you might be able to finish your engineering master’s degree within a year or two.
How long does it take to get a master’s degree in nursing?
A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) typically takes between two and three years to complete, if based on full-time study. If you’re studying part-time, a master’s degree in nursing can take three to four years.
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