Graduate programs are a surefire way to boost your self confidence, increase your knowledge of your field, and may enhance your lifetime earning potential. When you find the right graduate program for your interests you can earn a graduate degree in just two to four years as a full-time student. You can even earn your master's degree while working full time. All it takes is hard work and determination.
Only about 9% of Americans have a master's degree. It takes a lot of dedicated study and perseverance to earn a master's, but the hard work is well worth the effort. Those students who take the time to earn a master's degree earned an average of $1,257 per week in 2009. That's over $200 more per week than someone with just a bachelor's degree. The reason for this is that people who enter graduate programs gain a more focused knowledge of their field than people who just earn a bachelor's. That specialized, advanced knowledge makes people with master's degrees more employable and leads to higher incomes. This is reflected in the low unemployment rate of people with master's degrees-just 3.9% in 2009 compared to 9.7% for people with only a high school education.

The traditional method of earning a master's degree is to select a graduate program offered by a graduate college or university. Such programs can be very selective in choosing their master's candidates and usually only take a small number of students every year. A more flexible option for earning a master's degree is enrolling in an accredited online graduate program. A number of graduate institutions offer graduate degrees online. By enrolling in one of these programs you have more options as to class times and the speed at which you progress. This makes online graduate programs the ideal choice for anyone who intends to work while earning their master's degree.
For many years running the most popular master's degree in the country has been the MBA, the Master of Business Administration. MBAs are the most popular graduate degrees to earn online and in schools because they are extremely flexible degrees that can be applied to virtually any type of business. Many people who pursue higher education have ambitions of one day owning their own business or being their own boss. An MBA is a great way to work toward that goal.
Other popular online graduate programs include computer science programs and health care programs. You can earn a master's in information technology or computer engineering online in just three to four years. You can also get a graduate degree in nursing, physical therapy, and other medical specialties. These types of degrees tend to be very useful for finding work and often result in high-paying careers.
College degrees in these ten fields lead to the highest-paying careers. Not all of these fields require graduate degrees in order to find a job, but you can earn much more in these fields and be promoted much higher if you earn a master's degree.
It should be noted that the graduate degree required to become a medical doctor is not a master's degree but a professional degree. Medical doctors must attend medical school and earn a specialized degree to practice medicine, just like a lawyer must go to law school. However, there are a number of other medical professions which only require a master's degree in order to start helping people.
Fastest Growing Careers that Require a Master'sSome of the fastest growing careers in the country require graduate degrees. These ten professions are all on the rise and each requires at least a master's degree. In any of these fields you will have excellent opportunities for employment, promotion, and high pay.
Choose the Early Childhood Education specialization for your Master of Arts in Education earned online from Ashford University to become an expert in child development. In this specialization, you will strengthen your skills as an educator for young people. The Early Childhood Education specialization covers language acquisition, classroom management, and the impact of families and communities on schools. You will learn to design primary-school curricula, deliver differentiated instruction to children, and collaborate with parents and communities. If you are committed to a career involving education, this program from Ashford University is for you. Make an impact on our nation's schools with the expertise that derives from an advanced degree.
Foster your health care career goals by earning your Master of Arts in Health Care Administration online from Ashford University. Deepen the value of your services with the expertise that derives from an advanced degree. This graduate degree empowers you to assume leadership positions in health care organizations. You will study such areas as finance, biostatistics, and strategic planning. The program incorporates applied health care theories across the domains of organized health care. With your Master of Arts in Health Care Administration, you demonstrate your expertise in directing health care organizations, leading health professionals, and delivering invaluable services to people in need.
Earn your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree online from Ashford University. Complete a standard program of study or personalize your program with one of several specializations.
Take your education to the next level with a specialization in Information Systems added to your MBA degree earned online from Ashford University Combine major course credits in Business Administration with nine credits in Information Systems for a more specialized degree with added value. The Information Systems specialization prepares you for the information technology industry while you explore such topics as database management, essential business software, information processing, and systems development. Your focused graduate courses combined with the in-depth professional competence you'll gain from the major coursework will earn you an enhanced MBA degree.
Open up education to all students by earning your Master of Arts in Education online with a specialization in Special Education (non-licensure) from Ashford University. Focus your education degree with the Special Education specialization that will support the needs of exceptional students in school programs. The Special Education specialization allows you to respond to students' diverse abilities and styles as you provide equitable learning. You will learn classroom management, as well as how to identify disabilities and special abilities. If you are committed to a career involving education, then the Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Special Education (non-licensure) from Ashford University is for you. Make an impact on our nation's schools with the expertise that derives from an advanced degree.
Through a mix of research, practical application, and coursework, Walden's newly CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program can prepare you to integrate knowledge and skills into a career as a successful professional counselor. Developed by leading experts in the field, the CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the high standards set by CACREP and to provide continuity throughout your learning experience, with each course building upon key experiences.
Specializations
Making a positive impact within your community, organization, and profession requires an ability to integrate theories, research, and evidence-based practices that accommodate cultural and individual diversity. With a Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University, you'll be better prepared as a researcher, educator, and practitioner to help individuals and groups with family, mental health, career, and educational issues.
Specializations
The demand for nurse leaders in education, technology, clinical settings, and at the upper levels of management is increasing. As a professional nurse seeking to meet this growing demand, you must have access to the most current thinking and best practices. Earning a Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing can help you bolster your skills so you can help meet rapidly growing demands for better patient care, achieve greater professional recognition, create new career opportunities or improve long-term career prospects, and improve your position with regard to compensation.
Certificates:
The objective of Kaplan University's online Master of Business Administration program is to help students pursue leadership positions in competitive business environments, wherever they exist*. Study how to manage relationships across cultures and grow businesses in emerging world markets. The curriculum was developed by a select panel of global business professionals and features international business case studies and examples. Beyond practical skills, the program is also designed to foster thought leadership, innovation, and corporate social responsibility on a global scale. This degree can be further specialized by focusing on one of seven specializations: entrepreneurship, finance, health care management, human resources, information technology, marketing, or project management. *Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for career advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
The Kaplan University online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to help prepare working law enforcement, other criminal justice professionals, and active military personnel to pursue career advancement. A master's degree may improve your chances for promotion, open doors to leadership positions, and qualify you to teach criminal justice in a variety of academic settings.* Personalize your degree by choosing one of the following specializations: corrections, global issues in criminal justice, law, leadership and executive management, or policing. *Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional police academy training may be required for law enforcement jobs.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction is geared toward individuals who work in government positions, industry, school systems, and other types of instructional and applied settings. This program also prepares individuals for teaching and research at the university and college level. With a focus on how the human mind works and retains information, the Ph.D. in Cognition and Instruction explores the most effective way to teach and train so that information becomes embedded. Core areas of knowledge include history and systems of psychology, cognition, research methods, statistics, as well as personality, abnormal, social, multicultural, and developmental psychology.Students are advised to inquire directly with their state if they intend to pursue licensure, as this degree does not lead directly to licensure in and of itself.Entry to this program requires a graduate degree and related coursework.
Answer The Call. This next-level degree program helps refine current pastors and equip aspiring pastors for an effective and impactful ministry. The program focuses on the preparation of leaders in biblical and theological knowledge, practical application of that knowledge in pastoral settings, and the development of character and integrity in all aspects of life. With the Pastoral Ministry emphasis, the program helps students develop a deeper understanding of pastoral styles and the types of situations that leaders face in today's culture. The curriculum offers a study of the daily practice of pastoral ministry and the ethical issues that arise in the context of leadership. Also examined are the techniques involved in preaching, including techniques for appropriate contextualization of the Christian message and preparation and delivery of sermons.Graduates are equipped with the understanding and skills needed to inspire faith and effectively shepherd a contemporary Christian congregation.Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment.
The Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in General Psychology is a program designed for individuals who desire promotion and/or continued academic exposure in the field of psychology. The program focuses on the development of critical thinking and leadership qualities. Graduates with these attributes impact those around them through leadership, action research, and introduction of programmatic community changes whether they are acting from the perspective of teachers, practitioners or researchers.Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment.
As society understands more about addiction, more people are seeking treatment and more drug offenders are being sent to treatment programs rather than prison. As a result, demand for substance abuse counselors is expected to increase much faster than demand for most other occupations through 2018.This next-level degree program is designed to meet the needs of learners who wish to pursue a career as an addiction counseling professional. The program prepares students to treat substance abuse and dependency disorders. Courses provide a comprehensive survey of counseling theories, group counseling, social and cultural issues, psychopharmacology, family issues, and more. In addition, a supervised internship provides 150 contact hours of opportunity for student to develop their counseling skills.In many states, a master's degree is required for the highest level of licensing or certification. Graduates of this program are prepared to meet the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a both a Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC) and a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC).Additionally, program graduates from most other states will be academically prepared to begin the process of seeking certification and licensure in their home state.Licensing and certification requirements may vary from state to state. It is the student's responsibility to check the requirements in their state.Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment.
This post-graduate degree program is designed to help provide students with solid leadership and management skills that can be applicable to the many disciplines of the criminal justice field. Students can broaden their skills and marketability by obtaining job-related knowledge and expertise in the specialized areas of criminal justice administration, corrections, juvenile justice, drug abuse and abuse counseling.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is not available in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
Prospective students should currently have a bachelor's degree or higher.
The Master of Business Administration program focuses on the development of critical thinking, initiative and responsibility necessary to achieve the heightened self-discipline, skill and reasoning to become business leaders.
Prospective students should currently have a bachelor's degree or higher.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting program is designed for people who already have a Bachelor's in Accounting and wish to take their career to the next level. The MBA in Accounting program may be a step toward becoming a Certified Public Accountant, or toward assuming a leadership position in a large business organization. Highly qualified instructors combine advanced accounting concepts with an in-depth study of quantitative methods, policy and strategy, economics, human resources, marketing and organizational behaviors to give students a broad and marketable mastery of the world of finance and management.
Prospective students should currently have a bachelor's degree or higher.
If you want to learn how to craft the compelling stories behind film, television, games, and other entertainment media — and gain the skills to effectively market your work — Full Sail University's online Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts Degree Program can give you the tools you need. You'll explore concepts including visual storytelling, character development, screenwriting and storyboarding for a variety of media — building a diverse portfolio and the business know-how to pursue your dream career.
Course Highlights Include:
The changing world of journalism requires professionals to have an updated skill set to keep up with today's media consumers. Full Sail University's Online New Media Journalism Master's Degree Program teaches the skills needed to report and distribute the news for new media audiences by blending traditional methods with emerging technology. You'll learn how to produce multimedia content, use social media to engage audiences and promote your work, and publish and distribute content across digital delivery platforms.
Course Highlights:
Our Master of Business Administration degree program has been designed to prepare future business leaders to understand and apply best practices in the workplace that meet organizational and societal goals for economic success. Individuals who have earned an undergraduate degree and are committed to advancing their knowledge and mastery of managerial techniques in our global business world have a unique opportunity to enhance their credentials through our program. Candidates can also apply current professional experience to fulfill up to half of the program requirements through documentation of tasks, challenges, and solutions implemented and other related experiential learning processes that have impacted the individual. Courses will emphasize strategic management planning, the regulations and ethical responsibilities business leaders must address, and how to interpret, understand, and create persuasive proposals and business plans to support organizational goals and motivate others to participate and follow through to success.
The online Master of Science in Health Fitness Management (MS:HFM) degree program combines graduate-level business management studies with advanced fitness technique courses. This 18-month* program will prepare you for business ownership or leadership opportunities in your current organization.
Receive advanced technical training
The MS:HFM program includes preparation for Muscle Activation Techniques™ (MAT) certification. MAT™ coursework provides a comprehensive understanding of the muscular system and related skills for working with the body. You will learn to evaluate range of motion, identify potential biomechanical imbalances, and understand the importance of muscle function as it relates to overall health, stability and mobility.
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business is the only institution in the U.S. to incorporate MAT™ certification preparation in a degree program. If you already have this certification, you may qualify for credit toward your MS-HFM degree.**
Business management coursework covers topics including managerial communications, fiscal resources, group management tools, marketing and the politics of leadership. These courses begin every six weeks—you can begin the program at any of eight points in the year.
*Availability of seminars may affect overall program length.
**Information about the process of applying for credit for this experience can be provided.
The Master of Science in Management (MSM) program couples graduate studies in general leadership principles with focused studies in a specific field. Every health-care related organization recognizes the need for professional managers with industry-specific skills. The Master of Science in Management: Health Care Management (MSM:HCM) program fulfills that demand, providing health care professionals with leadership training that addresses local, national and international issues in health care.
Program highlights
The Master of Science in Management (MSM) program couples graduate studies in general leadership principles with focused studies in a specific field. The Master of Science in Management: Information Technology (MSM:IT) program prepares students for management within an IT department or company.
MSM: IT Management courses
The Master of Science in Management program is 18 months long. A full-time student will take two consecutive courses each quarter for the first year, completing the program with a 25-week practicum/business project. In addition to general leadership courses, the information technology emphasis addresses the following topics:
Post University offers a completely Online MBA Degree Program designed for working professionals. You can make a real difference in your career with a Post University MBA. Our program develops your ability to lead organizations to create new business and new wealth. The MBA program will help you gain confidence in your ability to lead your organization to growth and prosperity.
Programs are designed for busy professionals who can choose a concentration in:
Post University's Master of Science in Human Services is designed to meet the educational needs of individuals who seek to advance their skills and career options or seek employment in a wide variety of human service positions.
The program allows these prospective students to acquire the conceptual, analytical, and operational knowledge to assume new or more advanced positions in the field of human services. The curricular content is focused around an essential core of learning experiences and skill sets and provides two specializations in either human service program administration or clinical counseling within organizational settings.
The objectives of the Master's Degree Program in Human Services are to provide an:
With Post University Online, you can earn your Master of Science in Human Services part-time in as little as 18 months. MS in Human Services courses are offered six times per year in accelerated eight-week modules conveniently online or during evenings and weekends at one of four locations in Connecticut. Post University's Master of Science in Human Services with a specialization in Clinical Counseling is designed to meet the educational needs of individuals who seek to advance their skills and career options or seek employment in this growing field. The program allows students to acquire the conceptual, analytical, and operational knowledge to assume new or more advanced positions in Clinical Counseling within Organizational Settings.The objectives of the program are to help students to:
The Post University Master of Education (M.Ed.) online degree program meets the growing need for creative, innovative educators who can rise to the challenges and opportunities of today's and tomorrow's education environments. The program provides a flexible, convenient way for working adults to earn their M.Ed. in as little as 12 months.
Post University's M.Ed. Online Degree Program is a non-licensure program.
Candidates may choose to specialize in:
Pursue your Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Business Psychology Specialization degree online from University of the Rockies.
This specialization focuses on applying in-depth principles and theories of modern organizational psychology to businesses and complex organizations, with a strong emphasis on team performance, diversity, and ethical behavior. You will also learn to maximize your impact on human resources in business organizations by applying best practices in organizational and industrial psychology. Graduates of this program often pursue organizational development, human resources, and management positions.
Through advanced seminars and courses in creativity, breakthrough thinking, and human performance, you will apply your knowledge and skills to making business more effective. Specialize in Business Psychology and pioneer new ways of doing business in the global marketplace.
Prospective candidates must have completed a master's degree program prior to enrollment.
Lead people to new heights!
Earn your Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organizational Development and Leadership online from University of the Rockies.
This doctoral degree is the culmination of graduate studies in leadership and organizational dynamics, and it demonstrates your ability to assess research in organizations using evidence-based methods. Through advanced seminars and practicum experiences, you will learn to evaluate the impact of diversity in organizations as a competitive advantage. Anticipate the impact of developmental processes, strategic initiatives, and organizational change. Initiate complex strategies as an effective change agent. Plus, you can create your own development solutions and evaluate them based on human performance technology.
Prospective candidates must have completed a master's degree program prior to enrollment.
Attain your Doctor of Psychology, Criminology and Justice Studies Specialization at University of the Rockies.
Be a practitioner and a scholar with advanced courses and seminars in the arena of law enforcement and corrections. Earn expertise in cutting-edge theories of criminal behavior, and find real-world solutions. Explore how institutions process criminals through the correctional system, and learn to ensure due process. Distinguish between crimes and locate them within social and economic contexts. Discover proven methods to rehabilitate people, empowering them to return as productive members of society.
The Doctoral curriculum can open doors to a career in the criminal justice system, in designing and steering public policy, and in scholarly research at the highest level. You can make a difference.
Prospective candidates must have completed a master's degree program prior to enrollment.
Enhance your educational leadership career potential through advanced coursework by pursuing your Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Educational Leadership Specialization degree online at University of the Rockies.
Learn the theoretical and practical study of psychology as applied to organizational environments with the objective of understanding human behavior, characteristics, and performance dynamics. Increase your individual leadership potential and enhance organizational effectiveness through the application of knowledge and interventions that raise individual performance, improve process relationships, enhance understandings of culture and equity, and promote leadership.
Your PsyD provides deeper emphasis in the same areas as the MA curriculum. This program includes extensive research and applications for more in-depth knowledge through coursework and a required, supervised practicum.
Prospective candidates must have completed a master's degree program prior to enrollment.
Demand for human resources professionals is expected to grow 17% by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the competition for human resource jobs continues to grow, HR professionals with career-building credentials, such as a Master's in HR Development, are more likely to distinguish themselves from the other candidates. Villanova's MS in Human Resource Development is designed for those who aspire to work or advance within a corporate human resource department or human resource consulting firm. Established human resource professionals are provided with the latest tools, proven processes, and best practices in a range of topics, including: organizational change, human resource planning, compensation, internal human resources, organizational training, and project management.
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