There are few places where it is more important to know how to use vocabulary and grammar than academia. This is especially true when referencing prestigious graduate programs, such as master’s degrees.
So, is the proper term Masters Student or Master’s Student? Master’s Student is the proper way to reference the term. It denotes enrollment and participation in a Master’s program. Using Masters Student does not denote ownership and is therefore incorrect. Further, Masters’ Student denotes plural ownership and is therefore incorrect.
Being a Master’s student requires several commitments and before committing to studying further, one should contemplate the reasons for doing so.
More and more people have chosen to continue their studies after high school, and in 2015, it was reported that 33% of adults in the US had a Bachelor’s degree (source).
While this statistic shows the growth of education, it also shows the underlying necessity for new graduates and working men and women to set themselves apart in the field.
This is one reason why many men and women have opted to go back to graduate school to complete their Master’s degrees, giving them a boost in their careers and in financial outcomes.
Reasons for Becoming a Master’s Student
Master’s students have a variety of reasons for heading back into academics.
One might feel like they are stagnating in their current field and require further education to advance their careers. Others might want to set themselves apart from their peers and obtain a postgraduate qualification.
Currently, almost a third of Americans hold a Bachelor’s degree, compared to only 9% who hold a Master’s degree (source).
It is also helpful for people who want to grow within their careers as pursuing a Master’s degree allows networking opportunities with leaders in the field, along with an emphasis on leadership skills that will bolster your CV (source).
Some may want to improve their finances through further education and it has been shown that having a Master’s degree leads to improved earning capabilities (source).
Statistics show that Master’s degree holders earn up to $6000 extra per year compared to their colleagues holding only a Bachelor’s degree.
Studying towards a Master’s degree also allows one to grow intellectually.
Especially when a student has not been in the lecture hall for many years, studying again can bring about an intellectual boost and fuel a passion for a new learning.
When choosing a Master’s degree, it is important to choose the correct one that will advance your career and potential.
Therefore, if you are already working, it is suggested that you speak to your place of work to find out what kind of qualification would be most advantageous and worthwhile for you.
Otherwise, you will be sitting with a very expensive piece of paper that does not help your career or life goals.
Implications of Studying for a Master’s Degree
Positives
There are so many reasons why one should study for a Master’s degree.
While it is a commitment, it allows you to achieve your career goals by upgrading in several areas:
Employability
While it can be argued that work experience is vital to advancing in certain career fields, some fields require an advanced degree before one can even enter it.
Careers based in academics, such as lecturing, require postgraduate qualifications to begin.
Statistics have shown that graduates with a Bachelor’s degree or higher are much more likely to be employed, with statistics showing that graduates only had a 2.1% unemployment rate in August 2018, which has steadily been dropping (source). This trend continued in 2019.
While the American economy has strengthened through the years, a degree has shown itself to be a positive factor in employment and a Master’s degree only improves the chances of employment.
Since the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows a positive uptick in jobs that will require a Master’s qualification, studying further may be the best way to increase your chances of employment.
The BLS has calculated a growth rate of 13.7% for jobs that will require a Master’s degree in 2028.
This growth is far stronger than expectations for a Bachelor’s degree (7.7) or even a Doctoral qualification (9.0), emphasizing the importance of a Master’s qualification (source).
Specialization
In some careers, not advancing academically will risk stagnation and better jobs in the field are only available to those who study further.
This is especially true for a career like education in which leadership roles require a Master’s degree or above (source).
Therefore, if you want to be a principal or school counselor, further education is a must.
Other fields that require a Master’s degree include Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fields, business and health care (source).
Master’s degrees also assist those looking for leadership positions with their fields.
Since workforces are evolving quickly, it is important to keep your skills up to date and studying toward’s a Master’s degree is a good way of doing so.
While short courses and training workshops can also achieve the same effect, a Master’s degree is a strong way of showing commitment to self-growth.
Opportunities for Networking
Regardless of how you choose to study your degree, studying a Master’s degree will increase networking opportunities.
The people you study with come from all walks of life and from different fields, giving you a unique opportunity to learn from lecturers and industry leaders who can assist you with their real-world knowledge and skills (source).
Greater Earning Potential
Without a doubt, there is a lot of earning potential once you have a Master’s degree.
The BLS has shown a consistent increase in salary of Master’s degree holders compared to those with Bachelor’s degrees or high school education.
Dependent on the degree and field, a Master’s degree holder can earn an immense amount of money through the course of their lives.
A Master’s degree graduate has a median salary of $83, 000 compared to the median Bachelor’s degree salary which sits at $61, 000.
Generally, holders of engineering degrees earn the most money while those in the educational field earn the least (source).
(Source)
The statistics above prove that obtaining an advanced post-graduate degree is a surefire way of obtaining a better salary. While there may be some exceptions to this rule, these cases are quite rare.
Negatives
While there are many positives to studying further, every potential Master’s student should consider the following if they choose to study again:
Potential Failure
Studying, especially after a long break from academics, is a difficult change to make.
It is an adjustment to go from working full-time with free time after work and on weekends, to giving up the luxury of free time and devoting it to research papers and assignments.
Ideally, one should be able to complete the course in the specified time period.
However, life can get in the way and every Master’s student needs to contemplate that they may fail or be unable to complete their degree.
Whether it is because of work and family commitments, or whether the student is struggling to align previously learned concepts from the Bachelor’s degree, there is always a chance of failure.
Master’s degrees are considered to be more difficult than undergraduate qualifications, as students are expected to be more independent and work with minimal guidance.
Depending on the field of study, there is also an expectation that Master’s students should be adding original research and ideas to their field. This creates significant pressure on students.
Along with the emotional burden of failure, there are also significant costs associated with the degree.
Student Loan Debts
Tertiary education in America is prohibitively expensive and while the payout in terms of salary may be good, many people are burdened with thousands of dollars of student loan debt.
If you are thinking of continuing your studies, a lot of thought needs to be given to the potential costs.
Will your Master’s degree be worth it in the long run? This is a question that you will have to ask yourself.
You need to think about how the additional cost will affect your current amount of student loans, whether you will be able to pay them off and whether the salary increase is worth the amount of time and effort that you would be putting into studying.
The average cost of a Master’s degree is between $24 000 – $40 000 a year (source). This amount might seem exorbitant and tuition prices are based on the field you study and the university that you study at.
An online Master’s degree program may be more affordable while giving students the time and space to continue working and studying concurrently.
Prices of online Master’s degrees range between $2,550 and $5,746 per year (source).
Once again, this is dependent on the field of study and the university, but there are many options for studying online and it is up to you to find the right Master’s course for your career goals.
Time
Since a Master’s degree takes between one to two years to complete, it is a major time investment.
For most working adults, the chances of taking time off work or quitting a job to pursue a full-time Master’s degree is not financially viable.
Most adults attempt to earn a Master’s degree through an online course but it is vital to choose an accredited qualification from a reputable university.
Studying part-time will also require sacrificing free time to study. This will have an impact on your social and family life, making it important to have the support of your family and friends to pursue the qualification.
For those who study away from home, the degree may be emotionally draining as you would away from your support system without having the time to create a network of new friends in your current city.
Part-time courses also generally take more time than studying full time so you may have to invest more than the expected one-two years.
This has both financial and emotional implications as relationships can become strained due to the pressures of self-studying.
Requirements to Become a Master’s Student
In many programs (but not all) the most obvious requirement in most disciplines (but not all) is a Bachelor’s degree in the field of study you wish to pursue.
Beyond that, you will face heavy competition for spots as there are many other motivated individuals who also want to study towards their Master’s.
When applying for a Master’s degree, the process is similar to applying for a job.
You are expected to sell yourself and your achievements. This includes researching the program, as you would with a new job, and modifying your resume to show the skills most likely to gain you entry.
However, the time when you choose to do your Master’s degree will decide how important your grades are.
If you are studying a Master’s right after completing a Bachelor’s degree, it might be difficult to study further if your GPA is less than stellar.
If you choose to become a Master’s student after a few years of professional experience, your experience counts more towards admission (source).
If you can prove that you have achieved positive outcomes in your career, like completing projects and showing initiative and leadership skills, it shows admission committees that you are capable of success, even without the best grades.
Different Types of Master’s Degrees
There are multiple types of Master’s degrees available, perfect for any career or job aspiration.
The following are a few examples of popular Master’s degree programs.
Master’s in Business Administration
For the business-minded, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is a popular choice.
This degree is an open-ended business-focused degree that focuses on business skills such as leadership, negotiation and employee relations.
Sometimes, a pre-requisite for this qualification is corporate work experience, which is not necessary as often for other Master’s degree programs.
Interestingly enough, an MBA is one of the Master’s programs that does not require a Bachelor’s degree in the same field (source).
Master’s in Education
To rise through the ranks in a school environment, a Master’s in Education is a requirement.
This degree focuses on policy and management, with an emphasis on leadership and the running of a school.
Principals and other senior management positions require this qualification.
Master’s of Science
A Master’s of Science (M.Sc.) is a qualification that develops scientists that may want to study more specialized subjects.
Unique careers in bioinformatics and nanoscale physics are available to those who wish to study a M.Sc.
This qualification is highly sought after and graduates are generally well-paid, often already having job offers before they graduate (source).
Some people get scared away from a degree like this because of math anxiety, which may be unwarranted. To learn more, read our article ‘is statistics hard?‘.
Methods of Studying a Master’s degree
In a connected world, there are many methods of studying for a Master’s degree, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Master’s degrees are usually presented through course work, research reports or a mix of both.
On-Campus
Studying on campus has several advantages over online studying, depending on your requirements as a student.
Studying face-to-face allows students to ask lecturers and TAs for assistance when needed.
Studying full-time also motivates students to attend lectures by creating an academic environment and an expectation of professionalism.
Disadvantages of on-campus studying include higher tuition fees, along with extra costs related to commuting, parking, and textbooks.
Online
Online degrees are advantageous to theoretical fields such as business, education and the humanities.
Unfortunately, a Master’s degree in the sciences or medicine is not feasible online as it requires lab work and training.
Online degrees allow potential students to study the field that they want and are not limited due to their geographical location.
Depending on the university, an online degree may be cheaper than a full-time program, but students should be wary of hidden fees.
Studying online also allows students the flexibility to work at their own pace and continue working full-time.
However, in the same breath, by self-studying and removing oneself from the lecture hall, a less-committed student may be prone to procrastination or laziness.
Other disadvantages include the lack of lecturer interaction and assistance, the possibility of an online university being a scam, and lacking the qualities of being a self-motivated learner (source).
Paying for Your Master’s Degree
Since Master’s degrees can be quite expensive, the average student will require some assistance in paying for their degree.
Possible methods of obtaining tuition can be through the federal government by applying for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which provides different types of aids of varying amounts to pursue postgraduate studies (source).
One can also apply for aid through their state, their school or even their employer if they are willing to commit to the company that is paying for their tuition.
While the increased debt may be far from ideal, the long-term advantages of becoming a Master’s student far outweigh the disadvantages.
There are a lot of considerations to think about if you want to study further.
The general consensus seems to be that studying for your Master’s degree is advantageous for long-term career growth and financial stability if your field rewards employees financially and you perform in the workplace, despite the negatives. So, becoming a Master’s student may provide you with the professional growth you are after.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Master’s student is a huge undertaking. The commitment of time, energy, financial resources, and opportunity costs are significant. Further, the risk of not finishing is a real one.
However, for those Master’s students who do finish their program, the benefits can be great as the long-term benefits of an increased salary, responsibility, and prestige in the workplace tend to outweigh the short-term sacrifices in most career fields. If, as a student, you want to find a job you can look here on Jooble.
FAQs
Is it Master students or master's students? ›
The correct way to spell master's degree is with the apostrophe. The s in master's indicates a possessive (the degree of a master), not a plural. If you're speaking of a specific degree, you should capitalize master and avoid creating a possessive: Master of Science. The same rules apply to a bachelor's degree.
Is it correct to say Master's student? ›Although some individuals may refer to themselves as a master's candidate, the correct terminology is master's student, as the title of candidate only applies to doctoral students. This is because candidacy doesn't exist within academia at the master's level, and instead, only Ph. D.
Is there an apostrophe in masters student? ›A master's degree is a degree that belongs to a master, which makes it natural to include an apostrophe. A person studying to become a master, however, does not belong to a master, which makes the apostrophe in master's student questionable.
How do you say I'm studying Masters? ›“I am doing a master's degree,” is informal and humorous, and incorrect, but people say it often such that it is more or less acceptable. Formal forms can be: I am studying for a master's degree. I am pursuing a master's degree.
Should I capitalize master's student? ›Proper nouns and formal names of departments and individuals are capitalized. In text, academic degrees when used in a general sense are not capitalized. (That campus offers bachelor's and master's degrees.) You can also use "bachelor's" and "master's" on its own, but do not capitalize.
Is it master's thesis or masters thesis? ›"Grammatically speaking, master's thesis unequivocally means a thesis of a master. Master thesis can be read the same way, but also as primary, principle or main thesis. Stick with master's thesis."
What do you call someone who graduated with a masters? ›The official title is "Master of xxx" for someone who has attained a Master's degree in a given topic.
What do masters students need? ›The majority of masters-level courses require the student to have completed an undergraduate degree and usually to have gained an upper second class degree. However, there are also career-focused masters courses that will accept a substantial amount of work experience in place of an undergraduate degree.
Does masters need an apostrophe? ›Use an apostrophe (possessive) with bachelor's degree and master's degree, but not in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Do not use an apostrophe (possessive) with associate degree or doctoral degree.
Is Bachelor's plural or singular? ›The word bachelor's shows possession of the degree earned, thus the use of the apostrophe. Bachelors, without the apostrophe, is a plural form that can be used only when you are referring to a group of graduates who have finished a degree.
Is it Master of Business Administration or Masters? ›
A master of business administration (MBA) is a graduate degree that provides theoretical and practical training for business or investment management. An MBA is designed to help graduates gain a better understanding of general business management functions.
How do you say what degree you are studying? ›You can reply, “I'm studying for a degree.” Often, you'll also include some extra information in your answer, such as which department or subject you're studying, what kind of degree you're pursuing, and which college or university you're studying at.
How do you say I'm studying in college? ›Standard would be “I'm studying at university”, the article not being used unless giving more detail about the uni., e.g. “at a university in Delhi”.
How do you write an incomplete master's degree on a resume? ›When listing your incomplete degree on your resume, remember to: Mention your degree program, school name, and expected graduation date, if your education is still ongoing. If you're not going to finish your education, find a way to make your incomplete degree work in your favor and present yourself in the best light.
Do you capitalize the name of a field of study? ›Except for languages, such as English, French and Japanese, the names of academic disciplines, majors, minors, programs and courses of study are not proper nouns and should not be capitalized.
What are capitalization rules? ›- Capitalize the first word of a sentence. ...
- Capitalize names and other proper nouns. ...
- Don't capitalize after a colon (usually) ...
- Capitalize the first word of a quote (sometimes) ...
- Capitalize days, months, and holidays, but not seasons. ...
- Capitalize most words in titles.
I, you, and me are all examples of pronouns. While you and me are usually lowercase, the pronoun I should always be capitalized, regardless of where it appears in a sentence.
Is Master thesis hard? ›A master's with a thesis is arguably the most difficult of all. A master's thesis is very similar to that of a doctoral dissertation. For many master students, their thesis acts as a predecessor to their Ph. D.
How long should Masters thesis be? ›A master's thesis is generally 40-80 pages, not including the bibliography. However, the length will vary according to the topic and the method of analysis, so the appropriate length will be determined by you and your committee. Students who write a master's thesis generally do so over two semesters.
How long is a Masters dissertation? ›A Masters dissertation will be longer than the undergraduate equivalent – usually it'll be somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 words, but this can vary widely between courses, institutions and countries.
How do you say I completed my degree? ›
The correct way to say it is "I have completed my bachelor's degree." You wouldn't say "I have finished my bachelor's degree" because completing something means that you've done it all the way through and are done with it.
How do you abbreviate masters of education? ›Master's of Education (M. Ed., M.S.E., M.S. Ed., M.A. Ed.)
How do you write your degree concentration on a resume? ›List your awarded degree. On the final or main line of an education entry, list your awarded degree. This is your major area of study. For example, if you complete a four-year degree in psychology, you would list it as Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
How do you write masters candidate on LinkedIn? ›- Start your first sentence with a hook. ...
- Use specific- keywords. ...
- Always write from a first-person perspective. ...
- Use short to medium-length paragraphs. ...
- Include information about your personal life. ...
- Avoid saying you are Unemployed.
Yes. Masters degrees are classified as 'graduate' level degrees in the USA and North America, and are usually studied within universities' graduate schools, or graduate programs.
What it means to be a Masters student? ›A master's degree is an academic qualification granted at the postgraduate level to individuals who have successfully undergone study demonstrating a high level of expertise in a specific field of study or area of professional practice.
What do Masters students do? ›They consist of lectures, seminars and practical assignments, with work assessed through exams, essays, dissertations and group projects. Students are encouraged to work independently, yet receive close tutor support. The Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) are by far the two most popular taught options.
Do Masters students have fun? ›But there's also something else you should be prepared for: The fact that being a Masters student is brilliant, fulfilling and - believe it or not - often a lot of fun.
What is the plural of Master's degree? ›The plural form is master's degrees.
Is it Master or masters of arts? ›A master's degree can be either a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) and provides in-depth learning beyond a bachelor's degree. The key difference between the two degrees is that the former focuses on arts and humanities while the latter is geared more toward scientific and technical fields.
How do you write multiple degrees after a name? ›
For example, if Jane Doe had a BS, MS, and PhD in computer science as well as an MBA, then if working in management in a retail company she would write "Jane Doe, MBA", but if working in an IT company she might write "Jane Doe, PhD", and if working in academia she could write "Jane Doe, BS, MS, MBA, PhD".
Is degree A Bachelors or masters? ›A bachelor's degree and master's degree differ in a few key ways. Assuming full-time enrollment, a bachelor's degree is typically a four-year degree program that is earned at the undergraduate level, while a master's degree is a graduate-level degree that usually takes two years to earn, on average.
Is it Bachelors or Bachelors on resume? ›If you're referring to a general degree, lowercase the name and use an apostrophe. When referencing the specific area of your degree, capitalize the name of the degree and don't use an apostrophe. An associate degree never uses an apostrophe. Correct: I have a bachelor's degree.
How do you say I have a Bachelors degree? ›The apostrophe is used when saying something like “I have a bachelor's degree in science”. This is telling the reader that you are in possession of a bachelor's degree (rather than a bachelors degree). However, if you say that you have a Bachelor of Arts, you don't use the apostrophe at all, much less an s.
How do you write masters degree in business? ›You can opt to include the full name of the degrees, Master of Business Administration, or just the initials. The MBA can be written with periods – M.B.A., or without.
How do you write Masters in Business Administration on resume? ›Degrees are typically written in full for formal resume writing. For example, MBA is written as Master of Business Administration and MS is written as Master of Science in…
How do you write masters? ›General references, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, are not capitalized. Use an apostrophe (possessive) with bachelor's degree and master's degree, but not in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
How do you say you are studying in a university? ›...
Talking About Your Field of Study
- He is in the university.
- The library is in the university.
- I'm a sophomore in college.
- I'm in university for a master's degree.
They're both correct. With some words, such as study, work, live, the choice of aspect makes little difference. The meanings are similar, however I recommend you use I am studying, to emphasize the fact that it's just temporary -- someday you will finish your studies and do something else. It was a good question.
How do you say currently enrolled on a resume? ›- State the college you're attending.
- The degree you're pursuing.
- Your area of study.
- Current GPA (if 3.0 or higher)
- Include your anticipated graduation date; this is very important if your graduation date is within the next 12 months.
Should you put incomplete masters degree on resume? ›
You must focus on the completed coursework and credit rather than writing “incomplete” alongside the name of your degree. It's advisable to include your unfinished degree in your resume because it shows relevant coursework, knowledge, and skills that may be crucial for the targeted job profile.
Should I put unfinished degree on resume? ›If you're taking a break from college for a year or less, you're still a student. List your unfinished degree on your resume the same as you would if you were still attending college. Just remember, it's important to be upfront with your potential employers about resuming your studies.
How do I explain why I didn't finish college? ›Make your reason short and honest. For example, “I never went back to finish my degree and that's something I regret. I'm planning to re-enroll in a few online classes to finish it over time.” There—you've addressed it and there's not much more an employer can ask.
What do you call Master students? ›A master's student is called a graduate student or “grad student” for short.
What makes a Master student? ›A master's degree is an academic qualification granted at the postgraduate level to individuals who have successfully undergone study demonstrating a high level of expertise in a specific field of study or area of professional practice.
What do masters students need? ›The majority of masters-level courses require the student to have completed an undergraduate degree and usually to have gained an upper second class degree. However, there are also career-focused masters courses that will accept a substantial amount of work experience in place of an undergraduate degree.
What is a Master but a Master student? ›Neil Peart Quotes
What is a master but a master student? And if that's true, then there's a responsibility on you to keep getting better and to explore avenues of your profession. Neil Peart. Responsibility Better Getting Better.
A graduate student is a person enrolled at a college or university who is working toward a graduate degree such as a master's degree or a PhD.
Do Masters students graduate? ›Yes. All Masters degrees end with a dissertation, thesis or equivalent. This usually takes up the third semester of your course as well as part of the summer. Courses that don't include a dissertation are usually Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate level.
What is another word for graduate student? ›| postgraduates | graduates |
|---|---|
| postgrads | students |
How do you write Masters candidate on LinkedIn? ›
- Start your first sentence with a hook. ...
- Use specific- keywords. ...
- Always write from a first-person perspective. ...
- Use short to medium-length paragraphs. ...
- Include information about your personal life. ...
- Avoid saying you are Unemployed.
But there's also something else you should be prepared for: The fact that being a Masters student is brilliant, fulfilling and - believe it or not - often a lot of fun.
What is a graduate degree called? ›While undergraduate education leads to a bachelor's degree, graduate education leads to master's degree and doctorate, also called a doctoral degree.
What do Masters students do? ›They consist of lectures, seminars and practical assignments, with work assessed through exams, essays, dissertations and group projects. Students are encouraged to work independently, yet receive close tutor support. The Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) are by far the two most popular taught options.
Do Masters grades matter? ›The only time the grade truly matters is if you are considering a PhD after completing the masters program. However, showing that you have improved your skills across the course is just as important as getting the best grades right from the start.
What percentage of Masters students get a distinction UK? ›The boundaries for these may vary depending on your university, but as a general rule: Distinction - 70%+ Merit - 60% Pass - 50%
Is undergraduate a Master student? ›A master's degree is the most common type of academic postgraduate qualification following an undergraduate degree. Depending on the subject and study content, it can be classified in a variety of ways including as an MA, MSc, MBA, MRes, or LLM. It can be taught, research based (MRes) or a combination of the two.
Is graduate and Masters the same? ›A graduate certificate typically takes less than one year to complete, while a master's degree will typically take one to two years, perhaps longer if you enroll part-time.