Most of us were told that in order to get ahead in life we needed to go to college and get a degree. But you've done that.

1. Why do you need a Master's
Degree?

2. Most of us were told that in order to get ahead in
life we needed to go to college and get a degree.
But you've done that. So why do you need a
master's degree? It's true that for many jobs and
fields, a BA or BS will suffice..at least at first. But
the job market is increasingly specialized, and
many graduates find that it's difficult to enter or
progress in the job market without an advanced
degree. Here are five reasons you should
consider post-graduate studies.

3. 1. MAs are the New Bachelors
Thirty years ago, a bachelor's degree in most
subjects was the ticket to a job where you could
gain experience and progress to higher levels of
expertise. In fact, in the past job seekers with
graduate-level degrees may have been
considered overqualified, but things have
changed.

4. It's not exactly a bad thing, but with increased
college enrollment over the last few decades, the
market has been flooded with skilled and
qualified undergraduates. Now, employers are
looking to hire graduates with advanced degrees,
and while there are still plenty of positions that
will accept bachelor's degrees, some of the most
desirable positions are going to recent grads with
masters-level qualifications. A Masters will help
you to stand out from the crowd and will show
prospective employers that you have advanced
skills and subject-expertise.
2. They Can Be Required
While many sectors favor post-graduate degrees,
there are several fields in which a master's-level
degree is required. Obviously, education for
doctors and lawyers goes far beyond that of a
normal bachelor's degree, but if you're
considering a career in therapy, library or

5. museum sciences, economics, architecture, or
various medical professions, you'll find that an
advanced degree isn't optional. Speech and
language therapists in the US need a graduate
degree and accreditation.
In the UK, 'architect' is a protected title and in
order to practice students must complete five
years of study as well as work experience. In the
US, a growing doctor shortage means that there
are more jobs for Physician's Assistants (PAs) but
you'll need to earn a master's degree from an
accredited program first.

6. While it may seem demanding, these positions
require advanced training, specialization, and
dedicated professionals, all of which can be
developed through post-graduate study.
3. They Can Lead You Further
Some people decide to pursue a masters-level
degree because they thrived in university studies
and aren't ready to enter the 'real-world.' While
this isn't a great reason to earn a master's, if you
have a knack for academia and are considering a
career as a professor or researcher, then a
master's degree is a fantastic idea.

7. Most PhD programs require candidates to have
completed an MA or MS in a related subject, and
a master's program will give you the opportunity
to find out if focused research and academic life
are right for you. Remember that master's
studies are very different from undergraduate
degrees. Students are often more independent
and research-focused, and the course-work
requires in-depth knowledge and original ideas.
Master's studies are harder and more stressful,
but they're often more exciting because you can
focus on subjects that interest you.
4. They Help You Specialize
In fact, one of the biggest benefits of
master's-level studies is that you have the chance
to focus your knowledge and hone your skills.
This can be a huge benefit in the job market
because industries and employers are often
looking for highly-specialized candidates.

8. It's one of the reasons that Master's of
Professional Studies degrees (MPS) are in
demand, but traditional MS and MA degrees are
also attractive to prospective employees in a
variety of fields. While some students enter into
post-graduate studies directly from
undergraduate degrees, many established
professionals enroll in master's programs in
order to advance their careers or develop new
skills.

9. Lawyers often acquire advanced degrees (on top
of their law degree) in order to focus on specific
legal sectors, while MBAs are a sure-fire way to
achieve success in the business world, especially
if you focus on much-needed skills like
technology.
5. You'll Earn More
Money shouldn't be the only reason that you
choose to pursue a master's degree, but it might
be one of them. In some sectors, employees with
master's degrees earn up to 20% more than their
counterparts with bachelor's degrees, and
women with degrees have a smaller pay-gap than
those without. And while graduates are, in
general, less likely to be unemployed, those with
post-graduate degrees have even greater rates
of employment.

10. But while some post-graduates have the
potential to earn more after they finish their
degree, it's important to remember that
graduate school isn't always free.
Though some graduate-level programs offer
tuition waivers, stipends, and even subsidized
housing and health insurance, a master's can take
between one and three years to complete.

11. And though it's not impossible to work while
studying, it can be difficult. So consider carefully
before enrolling. A master's degree in
engineering will give you excellent credentials
and improved your marketability, but you might
also leave with increased student-debt and three
years of lost earnings.
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