Whether you want to change your career, work in a new field, or increase your earning potential, there is a range of master’s degrees that you can pursue to help you with this transition. Many graduate programs allow applicants from different educational backgrounds and work experiences. Here, we share 10 master’s degrees to pursue for a career change.
10 Master’s Degrees That Can Support a Career Change
The best master’s degrees for a career change include:
| Master’s Degree | Main Areas of Study | Potential Career Areas | Important Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | Management, finance, operations | Business, management, consulting | Work experience may be preferred |
| Finance | Investments, corporate finance, risk | Banking, finance, analysis | Quantitative skills can be important |
| Project Management | Planning, risk, budgets, delivery | Project/program management | Experience can be valuable |
| English | Literature, writing, research | Writing, editing, education | Career paths vary widely |
| Human Resources | Recruitment, employee relations, HR policy | HR and people operations | HR experience may help |
| Computer Science | Programming, algorithms, systems | Software, data, cybersecurity | Prerequisites vary considerably |
| Communication | Writing, research, strategic communication | PR, marketing, communications | Specialization affects career options |
| Health Administration | Healthcare management, policy, finance | Healthcare administration | Healthcare knowledge may help |
| Education | Learning, instruction, curriculum | Education, training, administration | Licensure may be required for some roles |
| Nursing | Advanced nursing practice and specialization | Clinical, education, administration | Nursing licensure/prerequisites are important |
1. Business administration
A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is a popular degree for graduates. It provides graduates with a comprehensive overview of business practices across industries. In this MBA degree, students can gain advanced knowledge in business models, management, operations, and organizational behavior. With an MBA degree, learners can be eligible for some common job titles, including management analyst, finance manager, marketing manager, investment banker, operations manager, and HR director.
2. Finance
A Master’s in Finance can offer a range of career opportunities within and outside of the finance industry. This degree program helps students gain advanced knowledge in fundamental finance practices and principles. Its curriculum often includes courses in risk management, investment analysis, and corporate finance. Possible work opportunities include commercial banker, investment banker, insurance officer, financial advisor, and business consultant.
3. Project Management
A Master’s in Project Management helps graduates learn emerging project management trends, theories, and methodologies. The right project management degree program allows you to learn techniques and gain insight into multiple processes involved in successfully planning, executing, and closing organizational projects. This postgraduate degree expands your career opportunities across various industries, including government, information technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.
4. English
A master’s degree in English provides students with advanced skills in verbal and written communication, reading comprehension, and critical and creative thinking. This degree can open a wide range of career opportunities. It also takes an average of one to two years to complete. Possible career paths include copywriting, editing, education, marketing, journalism, public relations, law, and digital content management.
5. Human Resources (HR)
A Master’s in Human Resources (HR) focuses on training and instruction in domestic labor laws, employee relations, and corporate communication. Many companies hire people with HR degrees to coordinate their administrative functions, oversee policy compliance, and align recruitment strategies with their objectives.
6. Computer Science
Computer science is a popular specialization for those looking for master’s degrees to expand their careers. A Master’s in Computer Science provides students with an advanced technical skill set in computers and information technology (IT). It typically prepares students to plan, design, and maintain computer technology for numerous industries, including manufacturing, business, healthcare, science, and education. This degree program can offer a range of careers, including IT consultant, cybersecurity consultant, database administrator, systems analyst, game designer, web developer and designer, network engineer, and data analyst.
7. Communication
Communication is another great specialization for those looking for master’s degrees in communication. A Master’s degree in communication provides students with advanced writing, research, and verbal communication skills. Some master’s degree programs also offer different specializations such as organizational and corporate communication, strategic communication, political communication, and health communication. The right master’s degree in communication can allow you to get jobs in business, education, politics, advertising, healthcare, and mass media.
8. Health administration
A Master’s in health administration focuses on a comprehensive set of topics, including law, ethics, accounting, human resources, and health administration practices and procedures. Its courses equip students with critical problem-solving and management skills. This master’s degree is suitable for people looking to work with healthcare providers, policy advocates, and insurance organizations. Earning a master’s degree in health administration can open a range of jobs, including health information systems specialist, health policy specialist, hospital administrator, healthcare consultant, clinical director, medical records manager, and facility manager.
9. Education
A Master of Education (M.Ed.) allows students to develop instructional skills in a specific area of interest. It also helps them gain advanced knowledge in theories of learning, models of instruction, and emerging technologies. This degree significantly expands students’ career opportunities within education.
School principal, corporate trainer, curriculum developer, education consultant, instructional designer, education policy analyst, higher education administration, school counselor, program director, and researcher are some possible job titles for M.Ed. graduates.
10. Nursing
Nursing is the most popular specialization for many graduates. This field offers stability, flexible schedules, competitive salaries, and a variety of specializations to suit each nurse’s interests and career goals. Pediatric care, anesthesia, geriatric care, women’s health, mental health, and family nursing are popular specializations in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Apart from clinical nursing positions, other job titles for people with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) include nursing consultant, research nurse, nurse educator, nurse administrator, and clinical nursing specialist.