If you are looking ahead to your future career, you may find that a number of careers require advanced training. In many cases, that may require earning a master’s degree if you wish to advance or even enter particular fields.

The Value of a Master’s Degree

For the college student, a bachelor’s degree sets the foundation with the basic knowledge in a field. A master’s degree imparts specialized knowledge that can help the student advance within a field. This is becoming increasingly important in an evolving job market not only for career advancement but also for entry-level positions.

Holding a master’s degree not only opens the door to more employment options but also increased earning potential. Employees with just a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $65,400 a year, while those with a master’s degree earn an average of $80,200 a year, which is a substantial difference, according to data from 2019.

Plus, earning a master’s degree helps you grow your professional network. Your fellow students and your professors can open the door to additional employment options.

Why Employers Look for Master’s Degrees

The majority of employers, 74% according to recent polls, have raised educational standards for entry-level positions. Companies want employees with advanced degrees because they know graduate training helps people become more proficient in their fields. They also find that those with master’s degrees are committed to being lifelong learners, which is a benefit for their organizations or businesses.

Considering Your Employment Goals and a Master’s Degree

Before deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree, take the time to consider your employment goals. Does the job you want require master’s level training? Post University’s online graduate degrees make attaining a master’s degree more feasible, but you should evaluate your career path to determine if it is needed. For many fields, a master’s degree is necessary for entry or advancement, making it a wise choice. 

What Jobs Can You Get with a Master’s Degree?

Certain career paths require a master’s degree as a starting point. Some require additional licensures or certifications, but earning a master’s degree is often a critical transitional step toward pursuing them. If you are considering following one of these paths, then a master’s degree is a must.

Note: Salaries provided in this review of master’s degree job options are typically median wages, often reflecting years of relevant experience, certifications, licensures, and so forth. Entry-level positions, while often lucrative, will likely not reach these median salary ranges for new master’s degree candidates.

Education Administrator

Educational Administrators must have not only educational knowledge but also leadership skill, to do their jobs. A master’s in Education, while not a teaching certificate, is a foundational degree for this field. It offers educational theory as well as leadership to give education professionals who already have teaching certifications the ability to lead other educators and students effectively. Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics for current data on salary and job outlook for education administrators.

Public Health Consultant

The public health world is growing at a fast pace. From consulting with community members about health concerns to consulting with medical providers about proper safety protocols, public health consultants are in high demand. Organizations hire these professionals to help them assess health-related issues or challenges they face. A master’s of Public Health is considered the starting point for this career path. If you’d like to know more about this career path, including salary and job outlook,  check out the BLS.

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists study the emotional, cognitive, and social processes people use to interact with other people and the world around them. They work with patients and consult with companies to help protect mental health and the well-being of individuals. A master’s or doctoral degree is necessary to start work in this field, and the BLS provides more information about job outlook and psychologist salary.

Family/Marriage Therapist

Family and marriage therapists help individuals work through the social problems that make family life challenging. They may work in clinics, private practice, community organizations, or medical practices. A Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services can provide the right foundation for this career path, and therapists must have a license as well. The BLS can provide more information on this career, including updated salary and job outlook.

Nurse Practitioners

A nurse practitioner is a nurse who has additional graduate-level training that gives them the ability to see patients, diagnose mild illnesses, and prescribe medications. This requires a graduate degree in nursing as well as work experience as a registered nurse. Nurse practitioners practice under the oversight of a physician, but for most non-complicated cases they can see and treat patients without the direct intervention of the doctor. Salaries for nurse practitioners vary, so check the BLS for current pay and job outlook. The online Master of Science in Nursing with the Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization is a good starting point for this career move.

Political Scientists

Political scientists study the development and operation of political systems. They watch current events, help steer policy decisions, forecast trends and submit research. They work within organizations that have a high stake in politics, such as labor unions or politician’s offices, to help these professionals understand the needs and desires of the masses. Check out the BLS for information on salary and job outlook.

Human Resources Senior Officer

Working in human resources does not require a master’s degree, but to become a senior officer and lead a human resources department for an organization, you will need a graduate degree. For more information on human resource manager salary, education, and job outlook, check out the BLS.

Financial Manager

Financial managers manage investments, handle financial reports, and help organizations reach their long-term financial goals. They need a bachelor’s degree and work experience, but a master’s degree could help them land higher-paid positions. A master’s in Accounting could help build useful skills for this career path. An MBA with an emphasis on accounting could also be a starting point. The BLS provides more information on salary range and job outlook for financial managers.

Criminologist

A criminologist studies and analyzes crime and criminal behavior. These professionals must understand how people think and also have the ability to analyze evidence and crime scenes. A master’s degree in forensics, criminal justice, or psychology can open the door to this career field.

School Counselor

School counselors work with students to improve social skills, work through academic challenges, and make an educational plan that will help them attain their college or career goals. They work in public and private school settings on both the high school and college level, depending on their specializations. A master’s in Counseling works well as a degree for this career, but check out more information at the BLS.

IT Manager

Many managerial careers require a master’s degree, and an IT manager falls in that category. IT can be a high-paying field where professionals help plan, coordinate, and oversee tech activities within companies. As tech continues to grow, so will the demand for this career. Check out the BLS for salary and job outlook for careers in technology.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help patients recovering from illnesses or injuries regain the skills they lost. They also assist people living with disabilities learn how to navigate the normal activities of life in spite of their challenges. Occupational therapy requires a master’s degree program in the field, and the BLS provides more information about job outlook and salary.

Economist

Most economists have at least a master’s degree. These professionals study economic issues and trends to help companies and governments make informed decisions. For more information on economist salary and job outlook, have a look at the BLS.

College Professor

To teach on the postsecondary level, you must have advanced training. Without a doubt, this is a stellar example of a job that requires a master’s degree, because you must have more understanding and knowledge than your students. Most college professors will attain a master’s and work experience in their field of instruction, and many will continue on to attain a doctoral degree. The job outlook and average salary for post-secondary teachers can be found at the BLS.

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychology combines the field of forensics with the field of psychology to analyze why people commit crimes or to research criminal patterns. Often a master’s in psychology with an emphasis on forensics is the way to get started in this career. The BLS does not have estimates for this particular specialty, but it does estimate the average annual wage for all types of psychologists..

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists are specialists who offer therapy to people, usually children, who are struggling with speech disorders. They teach them how to properly form words and sounds, communicate effectively, and improve their overall language skills. They can also help people struggling with feeding problems. More career information about these professionals such as salary and job outlook can be found at the BLS.

Get Started on Your Master’s Degree Program Today

If you have your eye on a career that requires a master’s degree, Post University may be able to help you. While we do not offer master-level coursework for every field master’s degree job defined above, we do offer large list of online master’s degree programs and graduate certificates that can help you build on your education and skills in many different fields.

Thank you for reading! The views and information provided in this post do not reflect Post University programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can find a complete list of our programs on our website or reach out directly! 

Please note jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s program and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions representative.