Master Degree or Masters Degree: Which Should You Pursue?

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Tumblr
Telegram
master degree or masters degree
"Master's degree" and "masters degree" refer to the same thing, but only one spelling is correct. The standard form is "master's degree," with the apostrophe.

“Master’s degree” and “masters degree” refer to the same thing, but only one spelling is correct. The standard form is “master’s degree,” with the apostrophe. “Masters degree” without the apostrophe is a common mistake.

A master’s degree is a graduate degree earned after a bachelor’s. It usually takes one to two years of full-time study. Programs combine advanced coursework with a thesis, capstone, or practicum.

The degree can raise earnings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that master’s degree holders earned a median of $1,574 per week in 2021, compared with $1,334 for bachelor’s degree holders. Unemployment was also lower, at 2.6 percent versus 3.5 percent.

Whether it pays off depends on your field and goals. Compare the cost of the program with the salary range for the jobs you want. Talk to people working in those roles before you decide. See how a master’s compares to a bachelor’s degree, check how long it takes, browse available courses, and read our abbreviations guide.

Related Posts
AFP

How To Maximize Your Membership Benefits With The Association For Financial Professionals (AFP)

The Association for Financial Professionals, or AFP, is a professional society for people working in treasury and corporate finance. Membership is worth more when you use it on purpose instead of just paying dues. AFP sponsors two well-known certifications: the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) and the Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FP&A). Both require a mix of education and experience, plus ongoing continuing education to stay certified. Read the current requirements on the AFP site before you apply, since they change. If you want a closer look at how the two credentials fit together, see this article on the combined value of CTP and FP&A certifications. AFP describes its annual conference as the largest networking event for corporate finance professionals in the world. If you go, pick sessions that match your current role instead of wandering the halls. Plan in advance who you want to meet and what you want to ask them. Local AFP chapters are worth your time too. Chapter meetings are smaller than the national conference, so it is easier to build real contacts. The online community works the same way for practical questions between events. Use the research on the AFP website. The reports and benchmarking data give you context for decisions at work and useful material for job interviews. Webinars and online courses fill the gaps between conferences. Many of them count toward the continuing education hours your certification needs. For a broader view of where these credentials can take you, read about career opportunities in FP&A. If you want formal study to back up the certification path, a Master of Science in Business Administration covers much of the same ground in finance and management.

Read More
Education

Is IACBE Accreditation Good for Universities? A Comprehensive Review

The International Accreditation Council for Business Education, or IACBE, accredits business programs at colleges and universities. Founded in 1997, it is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, known as CHEA. Its approach is mission-driven and outcomes-based, which means programs are judged on student learning results rather than on inputs alone. For a university, IACBE accreditation brings outside review of its business programs. The process asks the school to measure how well students learn and to keep improving the curriculum, faculty development, and student services. Schools that are serious about teaching tend to find this a good fit. Students benefit in practical ways. An accredited program has documented learning goals and regular assessment, so you can see what you are expected to learn. Employers also recognize programmatic accreditation as a sign the school takes quality seriously. For a fuller picture of the basics, read what IACBE accreditation is and why it matters. IACBE is often compared with AACSB and ACBSP, the other CHEA-recognized business accreditors. AACSB puts more weight on research output, while IACBE focuses on teaching and learning outcomes. Neither is better in every case; the right one depends on the school’s mission and resources. This accreditation debate walks through the trade-offs in more detail. There are real costs. Application fees, the self-study, a site visit by peer reviewers, and ongoing reporting all take staff time and money. Schools should weigh those costs against the gains in program quality and outside credibility. This guide for institutions explains the steps a school goes through. In the end, IACBE accreditation suits schools whose main purpose is teaching. It gives structure to continuous improvement and a recognized mark of quality for business programs. For students comparing programs, see the value of IACBE accreditation for business schools for more on what it means in practice.

Read More
Request Free Info