Types of Masters Degrees

There’s a wide assortment of Masters Degree titles in the academic world that is growing wider all the time. What used to be a simple Masters of Arts in “X” or a Masters of Science in “Y” has grown into a large array of degree titles that are specific to particular academic disciplines and the careers that grow from them We’ve assembled a list of Masters Degree categories that you’ll find in any university catalog and then broken out some of the specific degrees that fall within those categories. Here’s our list of the most popular (and job-worthy) Masters Degree programs.

Education Masters Degrees

Masters in Education (MEd, EdM, MAEd., or MSEd): In most cases this degree is granted to people who want to teach at the elementary or secondary level. Most states require a Masters of their classroom teachers. There are also Masters in Education programs for people who want to work in counseling, curriculum and instruction, and administration.

Nursing Masters Degrees

Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN): There are four principal categories of Advanced Practice Nursing that require an MSN and specialized training. Those are Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, and Nurse Midwife. An MSN is also required for most positions in Nurse Administration and is also an avenue for RNs who want to become Nurse Educators.

Government Service Masters Degrees

Master of Public Administration (MPA); Many city managers, city department managers and county administrative staff members hold an MPA. They may work in overseeing any number of programs including community development, emergency management, public transportation and personnel or civil service departments.

Masters of Public Policy (MPP); Graduates holding an MPP are urban planners, job development experts, economic development managers and in many cases play a major role in budget development.

Masters of Public Health (MPH): These Masters programs are the primary graduate studies options for people who are interested in public service. Jobs that area available to graduates of the first two programs can be found in urban planning, public transportation, economic development, emergency management, and community development. It is not unusual for highly ranked military officers and police chiefs to hold an MPA. MPH graduates may work in public health administration, epidemiology, health education or behavioral science.

Business Masters Degrees

Masters of Business Administration (MBA): This degree has been the most popular graduate study option in American colleges and universities for years. It has grown from a business training degree to a baseline program for which there are over a dozen popular areas of specialization. Today you can obtain an MBA with focus on Accounting, Finance, Global Business, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, e-Commerce, Marketing, Risk Management, Human Resources, Health Management, as well as many other options.

Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) is an abbreviated program for working professionals who want to polish their academic credentials for a climb up the business ladder. These programs generally take twelve to fifteen months to complete.

Engineering Masters Degrees

Masters in Engineering (MEng): This degree is a basic graduate program in general engineering that can be completed without a thesis or research project. People who work in an industrial environment and want to upgrade their engineering skills generally enroll in this course of study.

These degrees are self explanatory and are just the six most popular academic choices in engineering.

Masters in Mechanical Engineering (MME)

Masters in Electrical/Electronics Engineering (MSEE)

Masters in Chemical Engineering (MChE)

Masters in Engineering Management (MEM) is actually a combined Business/Engineering graduate program.

Construction and Design Masters Degrees

Masters in Architecture (MArch): Graduates with this degree and some time as an intern are qualified to sit for the licensure exam.

Masters in Construction Management (MCM) As construction projects have grown increasingly complex and now utilize technological tools, developers are increasingly looking for trained construction managers. This degree provides those skills.

Masters of Science in Project Management (MSPM) The education provided by this program could just as easily be applied to the installation of a telecommunications network or a public works project.

Masters of Industrial Design Graduate programs in this field can lead to work in product design, plant design or technological interface design.

Information Technology Masters Degrees

Masters in Computer Science (MCS): is the most lucrative of all the IT Masters Degrees, at least at the entry level. Graduates in this field tend to focus on the theory of computer design and network development.

Masters in Software Engineering (MSE): Often the entrance requirements for these programs include some experience in the field along with a relevant Bachelors Degree.

Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI): These programs go under several titles and generally are taught by faculty from both the technology field and the health administration field. For that reason they are often found at schools with medical programs such as Northeastern and Johns Hopkins.

Master of Information Systems Management (MISM) This field is primarily focused in information security. Graduates will have studied cyber-security as well as information systems design, administration and expansion.

Masters in Computer Graphics (MCG): This degree also goes under many titles but is closely associated with game design and technology. Degrees in this field area available both through online institutions and today, through traditional schools all the way up to the Ivy League’s University of Pennsylvania.

Finance Masters Degrees

Masters in Accounting: MAcc) Generally this degree is meant for students who wish to qualify for the Certified Public Accountant exam. In some schools an undergraduate degree in accounting is not required, but extensive background coursework in math and accounting practices is required in all cases.

Masters of Accounting and Financial Management (MAFM): Usually this program is found in a university’s business school and incorporates business classes into a rigorous academic program focused on both accounting and corporate financial practices.

Master of Finance (MSF): This course of study focuses on business financial practices, needs and leadership. Regulatory issues, reporting requirements, budgets and internal reports for upper management are a few of the areas of study.

Masters in Economics (MSE) with increasing regularity a Masters Degree in Economics will face a curriculum that focuses on international economics and global business functions. Economics graduates often work in government or corporate environments providing research capacity