A Master of Arts degree is a specialized qualification awarded to those who have completed a program in liberal arts, humanities, or social sciences. Requirements vary by discipline, university, and country, and typically involve attending lectures, conducting research, and completing a final project or thesis. Many individuals pursue a Master of Arts degree to become more competitive in the job market.
A master of arts, often abbreviated to a master’s degree, is a qualification usually awarded to those who have completed a master’s program in some area of the liberal arts, humanities or social sciences. The exact requirements of a master’s degree can vary greatly by discipline, university and country. Often, however, students in a Master of Arts program must attend lectures, conduct research, and complete a final project or thesis. As individuals in Western countries obtain university degrees in ever-increasing numbers, many feel that a Master of Arts degree is fast becoming a necessity for entry into relevant jobs.
The programs of study that can lead to a Master of Arts qualification are quite diverse. Generally, however, they fall into the realm of the liberal arts, humanities, or social sciences. English, philosophy and psychology are examples of subjects that can be studied for this degree.
Like most master’s programs, a master’s program is usually undertaken by individuals who have already earned an undergraduate degree and is generally more specialized and intensive than an undergraduate program. After earning a Master of Arts degree, some people go on to obtain a doctoral degree, becoming more specialized in their subject of interest. Thus, a master’s degree can be seen as a classification between an undergraduate degree and a doctorate.
The specific requirements of a Master of Arts degree can vary widely by discipline, university and country. Master of Arts programs typically take one to two full-time years to complete. In addition, many involve a combination of classes and a very thoughtful final assessment. This final assessment can take the form of exams, a final research project, a very extensive thesis or portfolio, or a combination of these. Some countries, such as Ireland, award the Master of Arts qualification for completion of a relevant primarily classroom-based programme, and the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) qualification for completion of research-based study of the same subject.
In the late 20th century, individuals in Western countries began to gain access to higher education in ever-increasing numbers. Economic downturns and periods of widespread unemployment have also led many graduates to enroll in advanced programs to become competitive in the job market. For these reasons, many feel that a master of arts degree is becoming a necessity for entry into jobs in the liberal arts, social sciences, and humanities.
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