In the broad domain of higher education, a master’s degree is considered an opportunity to improve academic proficiency and a metaphor for utmost progress. But the graduate students always remain in suspense about how long does it take to get a master’s degree.
The relentless pursuit of graduate students to prosper in their careers has its way through a master’s degree, where their acumen is polished and intelligence is rewired.
However, completing these courses is a challenge in itself. The varying duration of the master’s programs further obturates the plan to pursue them.
To solve this dilemma, let’s explore all its facets to get a comprehensive understanding of it.
What is a Master’s Degree, and Why Does it Matter?
In simple terms, a master’s degree is a postgraduate program to broaden the knowledge level of a student on a particular subject. It is an academic qualification possessed by postgraduate students, which aims to provide a wholesome understanding of selected topics and strengthen students’ mental capabilities along with inculcating critical thinking and higher-order skills.
It differs from an undergraduate program in many perspectives, such as duration and opportunities after completion of the course.
A master’s degree is opted for by a few students due to multiple academic requirements such as a good GPA in undergraduate courses. However, it is considered highly advantageous to pursue due to certain reasons as mentioned below.
- Diversify the Career Options: Many master’s programs can be pursued by students belonging to different backgrounds. It opens the doors for students to diversify their career options.
- Career Growth: The students having such degrees are always preferred over a bachelor’s degree holder. This career-boosting step makes a student a valuable asset and will aid in reaching higher positions, subsequently influencing progress.
- Enhancing Knowledge: A master’s degree deepens the understanding of a subject by concentrating the focus on a few themes. These courses bring specificity to knowledge as compared to other programs, further illuminating the students with more information.
- Monetary Benefits: Career growth through such programs eventually leads to financial benefits on the job. Having such a degree influences the overall performance, which is reflected in promotions and increments.
In the words of Benjamin Franklin — “An investment in education pays the best interest.” This depicts the importance of attaining education at all levels.
The actual career-building stage of a student starts from secondary school and then high school. The post-secondary education, especially graduation and post-graduation, is considered a deciding factor in shaping a career.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room, i.e., How many years is a master’s degree?
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How Long Does It Take To Get A Master’s Degree?
A master’s degree program generally spans from 1.5 years to 2 years. But a few programs such as engineering and computer science can take 3 years or more, owing to their complex curriculum. Some institutions also offer programs spanning 1 year such as masters in data science, nursing, and entrepreneurship.
However, many factors are pivotal in deciding how long does a master’s degree takes. For example, a student enrolled in a part-time course requiring many credit hours can take about 7 years to complete.
To get a vivid understanding of it, let’s take a glance at the prominent factors affecting it.
Factors Affecting the Duration of a Master’s Degree
The master’s degree programs are pursued under predefined curricula with different conditions and specified durations. Its duration depends on various factors that cumulatively decide how long it takes to get a Master’s Degree.
Here are the distinct factors to understand what decides how many years is a master’s degree takes.
Nature of Enrollment
Some institutes provide the option to go with part-time and full-time courses. But the crux is that the more classes you attend, the sooner you complete the degree. Hence, part-time courses can stretch your degree duration, while a full-time course, although it requires a dedicated study schedule, can conclude your program on time.
Program Credits in Curriculum
Completing a master’s program requires attaining certain credit hours. The more credit hours required, the longer it takes to complete the course. However, the number of credit hours required depends on the course and the respective institute. But generally, it stands somewhere between 30-60 credit hours. A degree that requires fewer credits can be completed in less time, while a program requiring more credits can stretch beyond its specified duration.
Type of Degree
Out of all the master’s degrees, some courses, such as accelerated master’s degree programs, help cover the curriculum in a significantly shorter time. While others may extend to the typical 2-3 years span.
Online Course Options
Various online and hybrid programs are available to facilitate smooth degree completion. Some institutes provide complete online courses, while others have provisions for partly online and partly offline classes i.e., hybrid mode, involving weekend classes.
These programs are opted for by the students at their convenience. An offline class is preferred over an online one, as it will help complete the program in the stipulated time.
Project Submissions
The research scholars studying for master’s degrees are required to form a project or thesis. These should be compiled and submitted on time, failing them can extend the duration of the course.
Flexibility in Schedules
Some institutes provide evening lectures, weekly or fortnightly assignments, semester or trimester tests, and projects, that can be hectic for the students. The programs with less of such burdens can be covered in time or before time.
Personal Reasons
The personal life of a student goes parallel to his degree program. Some planned and unplanned events can obstruct the studies and eventually lengthen the time to complete the course. Family functions, weddings, health issues, or inefficient work-life balance also hinder study schedules, thus obstructing course completion.
These factors aggregate to decide how long it takes to get a master’s degree.
But how to complete a master’s degree on time is the next doubt that pops up in the minds of the students.
Let’s address it, too!!!
How to Complete a Master’s Degree on Time?
Enrolling in a master’s degree is a difficult decision, but completing in a stipulated period is a far more cumbersome process. While the minimum period of the program is fixed, it can stretch longer due to the above-mentioned causes.
However, this extension can be avoided by following certain fundamental steps, as discussed below:
- Manage Your Time: This program demands a consistent study schedule, covering diverse topics, compiling assignments, etc. These require efficient management of your time to cover all aspects. Students can use planners to manage their time by setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
- Manage Yourself: Time management accompanied by self-management brings the best results. Balance your personal life, health, and education to maintain overall progress.
- Calibrate with the Program Requirements: Try keeping your assignments, projects, and thesis ready before the deadline to avoid any extension in the duration of the degree.
- Consult the Faculty or Mentors: The faculty of your institute or any mentor or guide, acts as a catalyst in the entire process and can dictate you in strategizing studies.
These points will help the student manage their timely completion of the degree. However, persistent rigor to learn and apply the knowledge is highly demanded in this process.
In the words of Antony J D’ Angelo — “Develop a passion for learning, if you do, you will never cease to grow.”
There is no denying the fact that grit and handwork are the foundation of any educational achievement. But considering the contemporary academic scenario, smart work stands above all.
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Conclusion
The above discussion has made it clear that the duration of a master’s degree, although specified by the institution, can be extended to a certain level. Thus, a dedicated mindset, firmly ingrained with passion and spirit, is a precondition for pursuing it.
It is considered a north star in the career of the students, that can have a profound impact on their overall development, the ripples of which will be observed in their professional progress.
FAQ’s
Ans:It takes 2–3 years to complete M. Tech, with most institutes setting curriculum to
conclude it in 2 years.
Ans:
Programs such as Master in International Affairs, Master in Policy Studies, and Master of Arts in
Communication from specific institutions are one-year programs.
Ans:Some master’s degree courses require students to submit projects or a thesis during
their course, which is instrumental in assessing their overall performance.
Ans:A PhD usually extends from 4 to 8 years, with several factors contributing to its
completion, such as the subject selected, research, and writing.
Ans: It depends on students’ interest. Although a Master in Arts and a Master in Science are
most opted, students can also consider a Master in Business Administration or a Master in Philosophy (M.
Phil).
