Earning a master’s degree is no longer a luxury set aside for those who are extraordinarily passionate about their field of study. Instead, employers in the global marketplace are increasingly showing a preference for employees who go the extra mile and earn a master’s degree. An accredited master’s degree generally only takes two years after a bachelor’s degree to earn, but the advanced degree can result in significantly higher earnings and more job prospects over a lifetime.

Which areas of study are the most popular with master’s degree students? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the following master’s degrees are the most commonly earned:

Education

In 2006, 176,572 out of 604,607 (about 30%) of the master’s degrees awarded in the United States went to education majors, meaning that education is the most popular master’s degree subject. With a master’s degree in education, a graduate can choose from a career in teaching, counseling, education administration, special education, corporate training, or organizational leadership. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a secondary school teacher can expect to earn an average annual salary of $55,150.

Business

A master’s degree in business is a very adaptable degree that can be applied to a number of career options. Many graduates who earn accredited master’s degrees in business go on to work in finance, business administration, or management analysis. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that management analysts earn an average yearly wage of $84,650.

Health

Master’s degrees in the health field prepare graduates to enter a number of professional roles in the medical profession, though individuals wishing to become doctors or dentists will require more specific medical degrees. An accredited master’s degree in a health-related program gets graduates ready for careers in nursing, healthcare administration, or occupational therapy, among others.

Public Administration

A public administration master’s degree is the logical place to start for individuals who want a career in social work, administration, or public policy. Graduates of public administration master’s degrees often work with community groups and with government agencies.

In most master’s degree programs students have the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of their field. This allows students to tailor their education to their career, interests, or ambitions. Although these four areas of study are far from the only master’s degree subjects available through accredited schools, they are very popular choices both for graduates entering the job field for the first time and for professionals interested in improving their promotion prospects through higher education.

References:

Degree Directory. What are the Most Common Masters Degree Programs? Retrieved January 25, 2011 from: http://degreedirectory.org/articles/What_are_the_Most_Common_Masters_Degree_Programs.html

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education. Retrieved January 25, 2011 from: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252031.htm

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Management Analysts. Retrieved January 25, 2011 from: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm