10 Jobs You Can Get in the Military With a Master's Degree

A master's degree is often the key to unlocking advanced career paths in business, healthcare, and other fields. However, these advanced degrees can also provide unique opportunities to degree holders in the military.

Various types of master's degree programs provide an in-depth study of a field and can prepare service members for specialized roles and advanced positions, much like they do in civilian career paths. These positions include commissioned officers, engineers, and analyst roles.

Top Military Careers for Master's Degree Holders

The military provides specific training for service within each respective branch, but many specialized roles require education beyond basic training. Some military jobs only require a bachelor's degree, but others need a graduate degree, like a master's.

1. Senior Military Officer Positions

Officer Candidate School (OCS) is one of the most direct paths to being a commissioned officer, and each branch has requirements to earn a senior officer rank. Regardless of military branch, officers are required to have a bachelor's degree at minimum.

In addition to career advancement, officers earn higher pay grades than enlisted military members. These positions require advanced problem-solving and leadership skills that can be developed in a master's degree program.

Senior Army Officer

The senior ranks of the U.S. Army start at second lieutenant and continue to five-star general, the highest rank in the Army. These ranks are in charge of groups ranging from platoons (16-44 soldiers) to corps (20,000-40,000 soldiers) at the highest levels.

Senior Navy Officer

The U.S. Navy ranking system considers commanders (O-5) as the lowest senior officer rank. The highest senior official rank in the Navy is technically that of Fleet Admiral, but this position hasn't been awarded in over 75 years.

Senior Air Force Officer

Members of the United States Air Force (USAF) earn similar rankings to members of the Army with senior officer ranks starting at second lieutenant and ending at four-star general. Each rank has different responsibilities tied to specialties like wing or medical unit command.

Senior Marine Corps Officer

The Marine Corps offers commissioning through the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. Marines who complete these programs can receive commissioned status as a second lieutenant and work up to the rank of a four-star general.

Senior Coast Guard Officer

The Coast Guard ranking system differs from some of the other branches. The lowest officer rank is ensign, which requires a four-year college degree and officer training. The highest available position is admiral, a temporary rank unlike any other military branch.

2. Combatant Commander

Combatant commands are positions that include units from at least two different branches. These commands often include specific focuses, such as Cyber Command, which uses cybersecurity measures to defend against hackers and cyber threats.

A master's in computer science or information technology is beneficial for Cyber Command. There are 11 distinct combatant commands, each with its unique specialty.

3. Intelligence Officer

Each branch has an intelligence unit that gathers data and information on possible threats. These officers often require specialized skills related to data science, international business, geography, anthropology, and related fields. Intelligence officers work with field commanders to inform strategy and tactical decision-making.

4. Cyber Warfare Specialist

Cybersecurity is often viewed as a defensive measure used to protect an individual, company, or governmental organization's data from criminals. However, cybersecurity can also be used in offensive measures to destabilize and disrupt foreign threats. Cybersecurity is highly technical and often requires a master's degree for civilian and military roles.

5. Medical Director

Medical directors are healthcare professionals who serve in more of an administrative role. In military settings, medical directors are responsible for on-base and in-the-field medical facilities. These professionals manage healthcare providers and budgets, as well as coordinate medical efforts with non-medical units.

6. Advanced Systems Engineer

Advanced systems engineers work with designing computer systems and networks and performing quality control measures. This is an advanced form of computer science and requires specialized training. Advanced systems engineers in the military often have to work on bases or in other conditions that could make their work more difficult than civilian systems engineers.

7. Military Legal Advisor

Military legal advisors work with Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers and active-duty service members to provide legal advice and consultation. Practicing law in the military requires a Juris Doctor, but a master's degree holder can serve in an advisory role. The most common degrees for this position are a Master of Legal Studies or a Master of Laws (LLM).

8. Logistics Manager

Logistics managers manage the supply chain and coordinate warehouse storage. In the military, this role often involves international supply chains and using local suppliers as a base of operations. Logistics management is an essential component of keeping bases running and supplied and utilizes highly specialized skills.

9. Military Instructor

Military instructors need to have an understanding of the military as well as whichever subjects or skills they are teaching. Becoming an instructor requires officer status and often requires experience teaching or instructing, even in a civilian capacity.

Military instructors also sometimes work with ROTC programs in a mentorship role as opposed to strictly with enlisted members of the military.

10. Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts work with mathematics and data to inform decision-making and present solutions to problems. They work with both past data to review previous performance, as well as algorithms and advanced formulas to predict future outcomes.

Operations research analysts create simulations that can be used in military strategy and planning by generals and other high-ranking decision-makers.

Is a Master's Degree Required To Get Promoted to Major in the US Military?

A master's degree isn't required for any promotion in the military; officers must have a bachelor's degree, but this is the highest education requirement outside of select specializations. Positions like a JAG or doctor require a Juris Doctor or Doctor of Medicine degree, but these requirements are the same for civilians pursuing these positions.

Can a Master's Degree Holder Enlist in the US Army as an Infantryman?

It's possible to join the U.S. Army as an enlisted member, regardless of the degree you hold. A bachelor's or master's degree entitles you to apply for officer status, but there is no requirement that you pursue a higher rank out of school.

Not all master's degrees will apply to positions within the military and if you don't want to use your degree for a specialized role, you can enlist the same as someone without a degree.