A master's degree is an advanced academic degree awarded by universities and colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. It is a step beyond a bachelor's degree and is usually required for careers in research, academia, and some professions like engineering, nursing, education, and library science. A master's degree program typically takes 1-3 years of full-time study to complete after obtaining a bachelor's degree.