A master’s degree is a postgraduate degree. That means it comes after undergraduate study. An undergraduate degree, usually a bachelor’s, takes about four years. A master’s usually takes one to two years on top of that. Read what a master’s and a bachelor’s degree are for the basic definitions.
Postgraduate study also includes doctoral degrees. A doctorate is the highest degree and centers on original research and a dissertation. Professional degrees in law or medicine sit at a similar level. The master’s degree and graduation page maps out how these fit together.
The work changes as you move up. Undergraduate courses survey a field. Master’s courses narrow in on a specialty and expect independent research, projects, or a thesis. Class sizes shrink. The guide to master’s courses shows what the coursework looks like.
Employers read the levels differently. A bachelor’s qualifies you for many entry roles. A master’s signals deeper training and opens roles that ask for it, such as licensed counseling or senior analyst work. Browse the master’s course guide to see which programs match the career you want.

