Thursday, September 10, 2009

Get Your Master'S Degree

Find out if your current college offers master's degrees.


Getting a master's degree is a great way to expand your knowledge while simultaneously beefing up your resume and opening up doors that lead to future opportunities. Those with master's degrees have shown that they can engage in rigorous study and taxing final projects. They have also demonstrated an expert level of understanding of their chosen fields. These qualities combine to make for strong-minded, intelligent people who are confident in their achievement and attractive to employers.


Instructions


1. Complete your undergraduate studies in your chosen field at your chosen school. This typically results in a bachelor's degree in the field of study.








2. Apply to a number of graduate programs. Do not pick just one. Apply for several so that you can have something to fall back on should your primary choice fail to accept your application. The exact application procedures can be found in detail at the websites for the schools to which you are applying.


3. Select your courses carefully after being accepted and after consulting with your adviser. Many master's programs have a strict curriculum for graduate students. This group of students may be small and may share many classes together. The class load tends to be more structured and focused than it was during the undergraduate years, when it mainly consisted of general education and lower-level courses.


4. Endure the rigorous learning lifestyle you have chosen to adopt in your pursuit of higher education and more opportunities in the future. It could take two to four years or even more to finish a master's program, so stay focused and study hard. You may also be required to participate in various studies, research programs, or internships during the training for your master's degree. The requirements will vary depending on your exact field and the school you attend.


5. Complete the final project required by most master's programs. This is likely to be a lengthy thesis that takes a year or more of research and writing to complete. Most theses must be reviewed by an academic board of professors before being approved. However, not all students must do a thesis. A writing student, for example, may be required to write a novel or play, depending on his or her own personal aspirations.

Tags: master degree, master degrees, master programs, your chosen