The concept of a master’s degree has been around for as far back as the medieval era. You can trace the origin of the master’s program to the beginning of European universities. The papal bull of 1233 issued a decree allowing anyone admitted to the mastership in the University of Toulouse free teaching in the university.
Being one of the most diverse academic degrees awarded, you can find various master’s degrees for different specializations. A Master’s degree has a very diverse curriculum as it does not just fall into one category but can branch into various interdisciplinary curricula.
Getting a master’s degree when trying to make a career change is extremely beneficial as it shows that you have more qualifications, putting you far above other interested applicants.
An in-depth understanding of the best master’s degree for career changes will ensure a smooth and successful transition to a new career path.
Do you have an interest in a career change? Do you plan to get a master’s degree for a career change? This article will carefully highlight everything you need about the best master’s degree for career changes.
Table of contents
- What Is A Master’s Degree?
- Types Of Master’s Degrees
- How Long Does A Master’s Degree Last?
- What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Master’s Degree?
- 10 Best Master’s Degree For Career Changes
- 1. Master’s In Business Administration (MBA)
- 2. Master’s In Computer Science
- 3. Masters in Project Management
- 4. Master’s In Finance
- 5. Master’s Of Education
- 6. Master’s In Health Care Management
- 7. Master of Science In Nursing
- 8. Master’s in Marketing
- 9. Master’s in Information Technology
- 10. Master’s in Human Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusions
- References
What Is A Master’s Degree?
The word master’s degree is derived from the Latin word “magister.” A master’s degree program is an academic qualification granted at the postgraduate level when you have successfully undergone a core study program demonstrating a high level of expertise in a particular study area.
Graduating with a master’s degree indirectly means that you are equipped with theoretical and practical topics, including having a complete skill set necessary for that particular subject area. A master’s degree is ideal for understanding a particular study area in greater detail.
Types Of Master’s Degrees
There are two broad types of master’s degrees, and they include:
Taught Master’s Degree
Taught master’s degree is also known as a course-based master’s degree. In this type of master’s degree, you’ll find that learning is more procedural and structural.
Programs are open for students in the program via lectures, seminars, research, and project supervision. Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) are examples of taught master’s degrees.
Research-Based Master’s Degree
Just like the name implies, a research master’s degree requires a higher degree of independent work. In research master’s degrees, students perform complex independent research.
This type of master’s degree requires less teaching time, but students can appoint a supervisor to guide their research.
How Long Does A Master’s Degree Last?
The duration of a master’s degree generally depends on the course of study and the location in which you’re running the program. Generally, a master’s degree lasts about one to three years for either part-time or full-time study.
The difference in the duration of the master’s program in different locations is due to the difference in minimum study credits in various countries.
You can read this: 30 High Paying Career Changes For Nurses in 2023
What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Master’s Degree?
Trying to determine whether or not you should opt for a master’s degree can be a tough decision as a master’s program is a time-consuming, financially restricting, and tough process.
This section will review the benefits you tend to gain from getting a master’s degree to aid you in making good decisions.
- Getting a master’s degree will help open your career up to future advancements.
- It gives you in-depth knowledge of the selected area of study.
- It helps you create a network of similar individuals interested in your selected field.
- A master’s degree will increase the money you earn in the field.
- More employment opportunities are open to master’s degree holders.
- A master’s degree is key to transitioning into a new career route.
- It aids in personal development by honing your independent and self-determination values.
- A master’s degree will build your credibility in the selected study area.
10 Best Master’s Degree For Career Changes
If you’re considering switching careers, a master’s degree is key to achieving this feat. The possibility of professionals holding bachelor’s degrees in different backgrounds and pursuing a master’s degree in another field generally makes the career change process easier. The best master’s degrees for career changes include:
1. Master’s In Business Administration (MBA)
A master’s in business administration opens you to a comprehensive overview of various business practices across industries.
Students for the master’s program are taught complex business models, business management, various business operation, and organizational patterns.
An MBA program is one of the best master’s degrees for career changes. Some MBA programs allow you to select a particular niche to specialize in, like finance, marketing, or accounting. A master’s in business administration usually lasts an average of 2 years.
2. Master’s In Computer Science
With the steady growth of the tech sector, there has also been a steady increase of students opting for master’s in computer science to facilitate career change plans.
Having a master’s n computer science puts you in a good place in one of the fastest-growing industrial sectors.
Students opting for a master’s program in computer science are equipped with complex computer programming, software development, and computer engineering knowledge.
The program ensures students have a strong foundation in programming languages, information security, and computer networking.
3. Masters in Project Management
Being one of the best master’s degrees for career changes, the students can be open to manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare careers after completing the master’s program.
The master’s in project management has the crucial goal of successfully planning and executing various organizational projects.
As a student, you’ll be taught various project-managing theories and methodologies. Getting into the master’s program will help you to get better job opportunities. With many industries requiring a project manager, the need for a master’s in the sector abounds.
4. Master’s In Finance
The finance sector is another booming sector in the country. A master’s in finance is one of the best master’s degrees for career changes because the degree opens the door to various career options in the financial sector.
The degree program imparts you with advanced knowledge about the principles and fundamentals of finance.
Furthermore, they highlight courses usually in a master’s in finance program, including risk management, corporate finance, and investment analysis.
The various career paths that are open to you in getting a master’s in finance include: Financial advisor, investment banking, and business consultation
5. Master’s Of Education
A master’s of education degree is crucial to getting advanced teaching opportunities. If you love teaching and you’re thinking of switching your career path to teaching, then a master’s of teaching degree might just be what you need to effect a smooth transition from one career to the next.
In a master’s of education program, you are taught various ways to create a modern and innovative curriculum for your students.
Also, you will be equipped with the basic skills and training you need in teachers, like behavioral management and assessment strategies.
6. Master’s In Health Care Management
Healthcare is one of the most sought-after sectors in the economy as it offers many lucrative career opportunities. A master’s in health care management is one of the best master’s degrees for a career change.
The healthcare master’s program is tailored to help develop core health sector knowledge.
Also, the degree program teaches you ethical and sound healthcare practices, laws, and regulations. It helps the students recognize the various medical and healthcare information technologies.
7. Master of Science In Nursing
You’ll find that the master’s degree in nursing is one of the best master’s degrees for career change, especially when considering a change in the health sector.
Getting a master of science in nursing does not just qualify you for the most sought-after jobs in the nursing science branch but also ensures that you earn more and adopt more flexible working hours.
Nursing is a diversified field with various specializations tailored to your career goal. Other job opportunities with a master of science in financing are nursing consultant, research nurse, and clinical nursing specialist.
8. Master’s in Marketing
Are you good at making good sales? If yes, then a career in marketing might just be what you need for a successful transition to a new career path.
A career in marketing usually requires you to have strong analytical thinking skills. The degree program in marketing equips you with strategies crucial to succeeding in the marketing industry.
Courses covered include customer segmentation and profiling, decision-making strategies, and analytic concepts. The goal of the master’s in marketing is to properly educate you at an advanced level on the strategy for promoting products and services.
9. Master’s in Information Technology
The ever-growing complex world also affects a similar advancement effect on the information technology sector.
So, they now describe the world as a global village, and a master’s degree in information technology will bring you into the inner echelon of the designers of this global village.
The degree program in information technology teaches students advanced database management, web design training, information security, and computer networking.
Also, it will help you qualify for the best jobs in the information technology sector. With the world going digital, the need for a core understanding of the information technology sector is very relevant.
Also, you can check this: Career Path: Definition and How To Choose One
10. Master’s in Human Resources
The Master’s program in human resources runs for at least a year. This degree provides advanced training on corporate and domestic labor law and training for employee relations.
The wide need for human resource personnel in every business organization has increased employment opportunities in this sector.
Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities of human resource personnel include ensuring policy compliance, proper organization, and supervision of all administrative functions.
The Master’s in Human resource degree program is undoubtedly one of the best master’s degrees for career changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Master’s degree in business administration is a master’s degree in high demand.
Yes, changing careers with a Master’s degree is possible.
Yes, an accelerated master’s program can be completed in a year.
A Master’s degree in Engineering is usually tough and challenging.
The Master’s program in business administration and nursing science is at the top.
Conclusions
Since it’s possible for you to select a master’s degree program that is entirely different from your bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree thus offers you a good opportunity to use this program in effecting a career change when needed.
We have reviewed the best master’s degree program to help you decide on the degree program to study.
References
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