A master’s degree is frequently perceived as the culmination of higher education. It represents a significant accomplishment and provides numerous opportunities. However, certain professions necessitate further advancement beyond this level. To progress in specific fields, one may require more than a master’s degree.
Education at the doctoral level often serves as a crucial factor in attaining elevated positions, obtaining full licenses, or assuming leadership roles. For those contemplating the long-term trajectory of their careers, it is beneficial to identify which disciplines extend beyond the master’s level.
In this blog post, we will examine the professions that mandate additional academic qualifications and the importance of those supplementary years of study.
Let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
- Looking at some advanced careers in social work
- Uncovering the professions in psychology and the mental health domain
- Discovering the options in the medical field
- Decoding the impact of legal and educational professions
- Exploring the business and other STEM fields
Advanced Careers in Social Work and Human Services
Social work is one of those fields where many people assume a master’s degree is the highest step. A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree qualifies you for licensed clinical practice and a variety of leadership positions. Some social work jobs, however, require more.
High-level clinical supervision, policy leadership, and academic teaching often require a doctoral degree. The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) provides the advanced training needed for these roles. It prepares professionals to take on executive responsibilities, influence policy, and guide the next generation of social workers.
Many professionals take this next step by enrolling in CSWE accredited DSW programs, which ensure high-quality training for advanced social work practice and leadership. Accreditation makes a difference because it signals that the program meets national standards and prepares graduates for respected positions in the field.
Psychology and Mental Health Professions
If you want to become a licensed psychologist, a master’s degree is not enough. While counseling or therapy roles can be available with a master’s in psychology, counseling, or social work, practicing as a psychologist requires a doctoral degree.
There are two main routes: the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and the Ph.D. in Psychology. The PsyD program emphasizes clinical training and prepares graduates for hands-on work with patients. The Ph.D. program is more focused on research and teaching. Both are required if you want to take the psychologist licensure exam.
Doctoral-level training ensures psychologists can provide accurate assessments, run research-backed treatments, and contribute to academic or clinical advancements in mental health.
Interesting Facts
Obtaining a doctoral degree can significantly advance your career and open doors to leadership positions or specialized roles that are not accessible with a master’s degree alone.
Medical and Health Professions
Some professions in health care cannot be reached with just a master’s. To become a physician, you need to complete medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Similarly, dentists must earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
Pharmacists also need a doctoral-level degree called the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Even physical therapists, who previously entered the field with a master’s, are now required to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
These careers all involve patient care, advanced medical knowledge, and specialized clinical training. That level of responsibility demands more years of schooling than a master’s degree provides.
Legal and Justice Professions
The legal field is another example where a master’s degree won’t take you far enough. To practice law in the United States, you need a Juris Doctor (JD). This degree is required to sit for the bar exam, which allows you to work as an attorney.
While master ‘s-level programs in law or policy exist, they usually prepare students for research, compliance, or administrative roles. They do not provide the qualifications required for courtroom practice or direct legal representation.
Judges, attorneys, and many policy leaders hold JDs because the credential is essential for full participation in the legal system.
Education and Academia
Teaching at the university level almost always requires a doctorate. A Ph.D. in Education or an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) is the standard credential for professors, researchers, and academic administrators.
These programs involve advanced coursework in education theory, leadership, and research methods. They also prepare graduates to publish academic work and contribute to curriculum design.
While a master’s degree can qualify you for teaching at the K–12 level or some community colleges, university faculty roles usually go to those with doctoral training. The same applies to leadership roles such as deans or provosts.
Business and Executive Leadership
In the business world, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is often seen as the top credential. But some leadership careers call for more specialized training.
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is one example. It’s designed for senior executives, consultants, and those who want to combine advanced research with high-level strategy. A DBA is responsible for applying theory to solve organizational problems and leading at the highest levels.
While not every business leader needs a DBA, those who pursue it often aim for roles in executive leadership, consulting, or higher education in business schools.
Specialized STEM Fields
Science and engineering careers also have many paths where a doctoral degree is required. For instance, becoming a lead researcher in biotechnology or biomedical sciences often requires a Ph.D. These roles involve designing studies, securing research grants, and publishing scientific findings.
In engineering, some leadership and research-focused positions also require a Ph.D., especially in academia or government-funded projects. Technology-driven careers in data science and artificial intelligence are beginning to place greater value on doctoral-level research skills as well.
These fields rely on innovation and complex problem-solving. Doctoral-level study provides the knowledge and credibility required for advanced positions.
Many careers open up with a master’s degree, but some demand more. If your goal is to teach at the university level, practice law, lead a hospital department, or direct social work policy, you’ll need to plan for doctoral-level training.
Each of these fields—whether medicine, law, business, psychology, education, or social work—has its own requirements. The common thread is that the extra years of study prepare you for greater responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership at the highest levels.
A master’s degree is a milestone worth celebrating, but it doesn’t always mark the end of the journey. For those who want to go further, doctoral programs provide the knowledge and credentials needed to step into the most impactful careers.
Ans: Engineering and technology graduates enjoy an impressive employment rate of more than 87% within months of graduation.
Ans: There isn’t a single “No. 1” degree, as the best degree depends on your personal goals, with fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Healthcare consistently ranking as popular, high-earning, and in-demand options.
Ans: Jobs requiring high levels of creativity, complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and physical dexterity.
