University DirectoryMaster's/MBA
Online MA Degrees & Master Degree Programs
A Master’s degree is third in the hierarchy of academic degrees awarded by post secondary educational institutions. Acquiring a Master's or MA degree should generally take you one or two years of postgraduate study, though this can vary depending on the educational institution and type of degree. Your Master’s degree program might also require you to complete a dissertation in addition to coursework. Learn more about accredited universities that offer no GMAT and no GRE degree programs.
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Types of Master's Degrees Including Online MA Degree Programs
You can earn a master’s online or you can attend a traditional on-campus program. If you decide to pursue a master’s there are literally hundreds of institutions ready to help you achieve your goal. Most distance learning students return to their careers upon completing their master’s degree, but a few decide to continue their education with additional online programs. Your advanced degree is a wise investment in either case; depending on the type of master’s you acquire, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that you can earn up to $26,000 more each year when compared to someone who holds only a bachelor’s degree.
Many master’s degrees fall into the “arts” or “sciences” categories, as is typical for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. However, a sizable minority do not; instead, your particular area of study can denote what type of master’s you earn. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the most common example of a degree named in this way, but others include the Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) and Master of Education (MEd).
- Master of Arts (MA) degrees are commonly awarded for completing master’s-level study in fields such as the humanities or social sciences.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees are awarded for completing master’s-level study in business administration. MBA degrees are very popular and are often considered indispensable if you want to rise to an executive position.
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees are similar to MA degrees, but are awarded for completing master’s-level study in a fine arts field such as creative writing or theater.
- Master of Science (MS) degrees are commonly awarded for completing master’s-level study in a natural science field like biology or physics.