What Are the Most Common Master's Degree Programs?
If you would like to receive a master's degree in a popular area of study, it may interest you to know that the most commonly-earned master's degree is in the field of business. Read on to learn about this and other master's degrees that are in high demand.
Common Master's Degree Programs
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a division of the U.S. Department of Education, produces periodic reports that reveal the number of master's degrees awarded by subject (www.nces.ed.gov) during a specified time frame. If you're interested in popular graduate degree options, the NCES listed the following master's-degree fields as some of the most common in 2018-2019:
- Business
- Education
- Health
- Public Administration
Important Facts About the Most Common Master's Degree Programs
| Business | Education | Health | Public Administration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Availability | Online programs are available | Online programs are available | Online programs are available | Online programs are available |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, official transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores and recommendations are often requested | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, official transcripts, GPA of at least 3.00 and teacher certification are usually requested | Bachelor's degree, transcripts and references; nursing programs require an associate's or bachelor's from an accredited nursing program and RN licensure | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, GRE or GMAT scores, G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and official transcripts are often required |
| Concentrations | Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Digital Marketing, International Business | Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education | Strategic Leadership in Healthcare Organizations, Leadership & Management in Nursing, Nursing Education | Criminal Justice, Education, Health Administration, Local Government Administration |
| Possible Careers | Business Owner, Corporate Executive, Export/Import Business, Entrepreneur, Manager | Leaders or Administrators in school districts, state education agencies or other education organizations | Health Care Administrator, Management Consultant, Medical Services Manager | City/County Manager, Administrative Officer, Security Specialist, Investigator/Inspector |
| Median Salary (2021) | $98,980 (for all top executives) | $98,420 (for all elementary, middle, and high school principals) | $101,340 (for all medical and health services managers) | $59,380 (for all private detectives and investigators) |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 6% growth (for all top executives) | 5% growth (for all elementary, middle, and high school principals) | 28% growth (for all medical and health services managers) | 6% growth (for all private detectives and investigators) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Business
In 2019-2020, the master's degree in business was the most common graduate degree, and 197,422 of these degrees were awarded during those years, according to the NCES. With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, you might qualify to pursue a career in marketing, project management, sales or human resources. MBA programs explore topics such as corporate finance, management strategy, product marketing and business ethics.
Education
Of the 843,449 master's degrees awarded in 2018-2019, the NCES reported that 146,975 were in the field of education. While enrolled in an education master's-degree program, you'll usually learn about teaching pedagogy and education administration. You might specialize in subjects such as elementary education, literacy, curriculum development or instructional technology.
Health Professions
The NCES grouped together master's-degree programs that prepare graduates for careers as healthcare providers and workers. If you earn a master's degree in the field of health and clinical sciences, you'll learn about the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of different diseases. According to the NCES, 135,324 master's degrees in the health professions and related programs were awarded in 2019-2020.
Public Administration
Public administration master's-degree programs may emphasize social work, public policy and political science. If you earn a public administration degree, you might work for the government to help enact new laws and policies or research existing ones. Graduates sometimes work as consultants to help government agencies address community needs. In 2019-2020, the NCES reported that 49,712 master's degrees were awarded in social services and public administration.