According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master’s degree is typically required for thirty-six occupations, and sixty-three occupations require a doctoral or post-graduate professional degree.

With these numbers and the high wages associated with positions requiring advanced degrees, it’s no surprise that many students elect to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree.

These graduate degrees take more time to earn and offer a narrower educational focus and opportunities than a traditional bachelor’s degree.

This article explores the differences between a master’s vs. a doctorate degree, as well as shares the different types of degrees needed for specific career paths students can pursue.

What is a Master’s Degree?

Master’s degrees are advanced degrees designed to expand professional possibilities through involvement in research, exceptional career connections, and the best resources available. They are offered to cover a wide range of professional and academic applications, and master’s-level programs focus on teaching students industry-specific knowledge and skills that they will use in future professions.

Professionals who earn master’s degrees will typically earn higher incomes than those who only hold a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, graduate school allows students to follow their passions with a specialized, hyper-focused curriculum, qualify for their dream career, and make long-lasting connections with peers and faculty in their chosen field.

Or, some students pursue a master’s degree to study a new field and reinvent themselves to seek a new career path.

Master’s degrees vary in length depending on the program, college or university, program format, and whether a student is taking classes full- or part-time. However, they are typically shorter than doctorate programs. Admission requirements will also vary, so students should research to ensure they know what will be asked of them.

What is a Doctorate Degree?

Doctoral degrees and programs consider the needs of working professionals in terms of curriculum content, orientation, and program organization. These advanced and usually terminal degrees are the highest level of education a student can obtain and are generally designed to prepare students for careers in academic research or teaching at the university level.

Like master’s degrees, doctorate degrees help candidates earn even higher salaries and higher-ranked positions, such as the head of marketing research, the head of a lab, or the head of department at a university.

Candidates often need both a bachelor’s and master’s degree to enroll in doctorate programs. In these programs, they take high-level courses, exams, and advanced seminars to complete the requirements for research, writing, and defending the dissertation, a doctoral-level thesis about one’s original research.

Program length will vary from institution to institution. Still, candidates should be prepared for their doctorate degrees to take longer due to the level of independent research, which can take longer than expected depending on the topic, available resources, and support. Students should check with their interested programs and universities to ensure they understand the admission and program requirements to obtain their doctoral degree.

Do You Need a Master’s to Get a Doctorate?

While most doctoral programs follow a traditional path of requiring candidates to complete a master’s program before entering a doctoral program, some schools and programs allow candidates to skip the master’s entirely.

For example, at University of Bridgeport, our Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program allows students to enroll without a master’s degree as long as they have completed a bachelor’s degree or at least ninety undergraduate credits from a regionally accredited institution.

Other reasons doctoral programs will by-pass a master’s degree requirement include when:

• Candidates demonstrate research ability
• Candidates have years of professional work experience
• Programs offer combined master’s/doctorate programs

That said, master’s programs are extremely worthwhile on their own and a great way for students to assess if they are ready for a doctoral program, improve their chances for admission to doctoral programs, and overcome many of the challenges associated with graduate school, such as time management and imposter syndrome.

What are the Different Programs at the Master’s and Doctorate Level Students Can Pursue?

Master’s and doctorate degrees prepare students for different occupations and work positions, and choosing one over the other will depend on your interests, passions, and career goals.

For example, if you want to deepen your career-oriented knowledge and skills for a specific industry or profession, pursuing a master’s degree would be a great choice. On the other hand, earning a doctorate is necessary if you seek a career and position in research or at a university.

Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to earn both types of degrees in almost any field or industry, as many colleges and universities offer a variety of degrees and formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid degree programs.

While offerings will vary depending on the institution, at University of Bridgeport, students can pursue many degrees at the master’s and doctorate levels, including:

• Master’s degrees:
  • Acupuncture
  • Analytics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Business Administration
  • Chinese Medicine
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Counseling
  • Criminal Justice
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Education Master’s Program
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Finance
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Music Education
  • Master’s of Science in Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Master’s of Science Physician Assistant
  • Public Health
  • Technology Management

 

• Doctorate degrees:
• • Chinese Medicine
  • Chiropractic
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Educational Leadership
  • Health Sciences
  • Technology Management

Financial aid is available, and we accept applications on a rolling basis. Plus, with our comprehensive support services, we are committed to getting you through college and into a great career with your master’s or doctorate.

Contact us to learn more and start your future today!