Why do you need a Master's

Degree?

Most of us were told that in order to get ahead in

life we needed to go to college and get a degree.

But you've done that. So why do you need a

master's degree? It's true that for many jobs and

fields, a BA or BS will suffice..at least at first. But

the job market is increasingly specialized, and

many graduates find that it's difficult to enter or

progress in the job market without an advanced

degree. Here are five reasons you should

consider post-graduate studies.

1.MAs are the New Bachelors

Thirty years ago, a bachelor's degree in most

subjects was the ticket to a job where you could

gain experience and progress to higher levels of

expertise. In fact, in the past job seekers with

graduate-level degrees may have been

considered overqualified, but things have

changed.

It's not exactly a bad thing, but with increased

college enrollment over the last few decades, the

market has been flooded with skilled and

qualified undergraduates. Now, employers are

looking to hire graduates with advanced degrees,

and while there are still plenty of positions that

will accept bachelor's degrees, some of the most

desirable positions are going to recent grads with

masters-level qualifications. A Masters will help

you to stand out from the crowd and will show

prospective employers that you have advanced

skills and subject-expertise.

2. They Can Be Required

While many sectors favor post-graduate degrees,

there are several fields in which a master's-level

degree is required. Obviously, education for

doctors and lawyers goes far beyond that of a

normal bachelor's degree, but if you're

considering a career in therapy, library or

museum sciences, economics, architecture, or

various medical professions, you'll find that an

advanced degree isn't optional. Speech and

language therapists in the US need a graduate

degree and accreditation.

In the UK, 'architect' is a protected title and in

order to practice students must complete five

years of study as well as work experience. In the

US, a growing doctor shortage means that there

are more jobs for Physician's Assistants (PAs) but

you'll need to earn a master's degree from an

accredited program first.

While it may seem demanding, these positions

require advanced training, specialization, and

dedicated professionals, all of which can be

developed through post-graduate study.

3. They Can Lead You Further

Some people decide to pursue a masters-level

degree because they thrived in university studies

and aren't ready to enter the 'real-world.' While

this isn't a great reason to earn a master's, if you

have a knack for academia and are considering a

career as a professor or researcher, then a

master's degree is a fantastic idea.

Most PhD programs require candidates to have

completed an MA or MS in a related subject, and

a master's program will give you the opportunity

to find out if focused research and academic life

are right for you. Remember that master's

studies are very different from undergraduate

degrees. Students are often more independent

and research-focused, and the course-work

requires in-depth knowledge and original ideas.

Master's studies are harder and more stressful,

but they're often more exciting because you can

focus on subjects that interest you.

4. They Help You Specialize

In fact, one of the biggest benefits of

master's-level studies is that you have the chance

to focus your knowledge and hone your skills.

This can be a huge benefit in the job market

because industries and employers are often

looking for highly-specialized candidates.

It's one of the reasons that Master's of

Professional Studies degrees (MPS) are in

demand, but traditional MS and MA degrees are

also attractive to prospective employees in a

variety of fields. While some students enter into

post-graduate studies directly from

undergraduate degrees, many established

professionals enroll in master's programs in

order to advance their careers or develop new

skills.

Lawyers often acquire advanced degrees (on top

of their law degree) in order to focus on specific

legal sectors, while MBAs are a sure-fire way to

achieve success in the business world, especially

if you focus on much-needed skills like

technology.

5. You'll Earn More

Money shouldn't be the only reason that you

choose to pursue a master's degree, but it might

be one of them. In some sectors, employees with

master's degrees earn up to 20% more than their

counterparts with bachelor's degrees, and

women with degrees have a smaller pay-gap than

those without. And while graduates are, in

general, less likely to be unemployed, those with

post-graduate degrees have even greater rates

of employment.

But while some post-graduates have the

potential to earn more after they finish their

degree, it's important to remember that

graduate school isn't always free.

Though some graduate-level programs offer

tuition waivers, stipends, and even subsidized

housing and health insurance, a master's can take

between one and three years to complete.

And though it's not impossible to work while

studying, it can be difficult. So consider carefully

before enrolling. A master's degree in

engineering will give you excellent credentials

and improved your marketability, but you might

also leave with increased student-debt and three

years of lost earnings.

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