Should You Pursue Your Master's Degree


A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for a master's degree, which means that you cannot enroll in a graduate program until you earn your bachelor's degree. But should you pursue a graduate degree once you've earned your bachelor's? The following article aims to explain what a student should expect when pursuing a master's degree, as well as the differences between graduate degrees and undergraduate degrees, in order to help prospective students make this important decision.


Duration A bachelor's degree usually takes longer to complete than a master's degree; the usual duration of a bachelor's degree is four years, while a master's program takes about two to three years. But several college programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level can be completed in less than traditional completion time.


Coursework The coursework for graduate degree programs tends to be at a much higher level than bachelor's degrees; graduate degrees delve deeper into the chosen field of study, have a more extensive and advanced course load, and tend to have higher expectations from instructors than bachelor's degree programs.


Salary According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2010), master's degree holders earn a median 20% more than bachelor's degree holders, and bachelor's degree holders earn a median of 53% more than those with no higher education. Hence, while getting a bachelor's degree can considerably improve your chances for financial success, a master's degree is more likely to bring you the potential of an even brighter financial future.

To pursue or not to pursue?

So you're done with your bachelor's degree, and now you have to decide whether you should stop right here and start looking for work, or if you should continue with your education and pursue a graduate degree. While a master's degree can open up employment options and can put you in a higher pay scale range, in the end the absolute necessity of getting one depends on your career goals.


For example, if your eventual goal is to become a registered nurse, you would need (among other criteria) at least a bachelor's or associate's degree. However, if your eventual professional goal is to become a physical therapist, you will be required to get a master's or doctorate degree before you are allowed to practice.


Higher education can lead to greater job stability, more opportunities for growth, and the potential for higher wages. However, the decision to continue studying past the undergraduate level should be made after careful consideration of a number of key factors: your ultimate career goal and whether you need another degree to achieve it, your financial situation, and whether you can spare the time and effort required by graduate degrees.