by H.G. Hess

Created on: April 07, 2007   Last Updated: May 20, 2007

There are several reasons people pursue a master's degree. Here are a few:

You want to receive a promotion in your current field. Many professions, such as teaching, offer higher-level jobs exclusively to people with a master's degree in that field.

You want a new career. Let's say you graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communications, but have found the jobs in your area are more managerial/business types. You will have a better chance at getting this type of job with a master's degree in business. But you will first want to consider what the level of knowledge that is expected of you in the master's degree program you have chosen.

You want to more accreditation, but need to continue working. Because it is expected that most master's degree students are at least in their late twenties, many master's degree programs offer courses at night, on weekends, or even online. That way you can continue to work as you study. You can also choose to take as little as one or two classes; but keep in mind that master's degree classes tend to be smaller and less frequently offered, and it may take up to two or three years for the same class to be taught a second time.

You want to pursue a doctoral degree. Most doctoral degrees require a master's degree before eligibility.

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