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GETTING YOUR MASTER'S DEGREE: THE TEN BEST CHOICES

#1: Master of Business Administration (MBA)The MBA degree is one of the worlds most popular and expensive degrees. In terms of salaryincreases and earnings potential, surveys by Business Week and graduate schools suggest this

degree is probably the most lucrative. Students in MBA programs can specialize in finance,

marketing, operations, leadership and other fields. There are also many online MBA programs

available, but these programs may not provide internships and other services offered by

traditional programs.

Marketing Qualifications

The average pay of graduates of Americas leading MBA programs (e.g., University of Chicago,

Harvard, Pennsylvania, Northwestern, Stanford, Duke and Michigan) is $100,000 per year or

more according to Business Week. The job opportunities vary depending on location and

industry; new MBAs tend to get the best pay at financial and consulting companies. TheMBA

admissions process is very competitive and gaining admission to business and management

schools is intense: Nearly all schools require students to score highly on the GMAT exam and

submit a detailed resume and academic record.

#2: Masters of Computer Science (MSc)Graduate work in computing and software engineering gives graduates a combination of

increased technical knowledge along with management skills. Programmers seeking to developtheir skills in areas such as mathematics, business and management can benefit from graduate

study. Salaries for holders of Masters of Computer Science (MSc) vary widely depending on the

company. Rapidly expanding firms such as Google and Facebook are known for their high

starting salaries, for example. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer

applications software engineers had a median salary of about $85,430 per year.

See the complete Bright Hub Guide to New Career Changes

Some Masters of Computer Science programs are particularly famous and well known. Sergey

Brin and Larry Page, the founders of Google, created the world's most famous search engine

service while working on their graduate programs at Stanford. Due to the low costs of

technology, some graduate students in computer science start their own companies during their

studies.

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#3: Physician's Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Earning a master's degree in Physician's Assistant Studies (MPAS) opens

up new career options to work in the health industry. Working closely with doctors and nurses,

physician's assistants (PA) perform a variety of duties such as reading diagnostic tests, taking

medical histories and other services as directed by their supervising physician. Forbes has

reported considerable growth for this occupation and finds the mid-career median pay to be

approximately $98,900 per year.TheAccreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant accredits

programs in the United States. As of 2013, there are approximately 173 programs that offer PA

education throughout the country. Some of the most established programs are based at the Yale

University School Of Medicine (accredited in 1975), the University Of Colorado (accredited in

1973) and the University of Iowa (accredited in 1973). Students can earn master's and doctoral

degrees in the PA profession.

#4: Economics (M.Econ., plus MA or MS in Econ.)Economists work in banks, government, universities, schools, trade unions and many other

settings. Their skills to make economic forecasts, conduct research and perform financial

analysis are highly valued by employers. Almost all university and college positions for

economists require a PhD, but those with an MA in Economics can find work in government,

financial services and industry. Forbes magazine has reported the mid-career median pay for this

field at $108,000 per year.

#5: Mathematics (MA or MS in Math or M.S.Ed.)Advanced study in mathematics, statistics and related fields can lead students to high-payingcorporate jobs, research positions and further education. Two particularly well paid industries

open to math experts are finance and the high technology industry. Students with advanced math

education can also seek work in the education system where teachers can earn a median of

$57,000. Financial jobs emphasizing math skills can pay over $100,000.

http://www.arc-pa.org/http://img.bhs4.com/ce/9/ce923484ebe23673e096161459239540fd6a3074_large.jpghttp://www.arc-pa.org/

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#6: Master's of Public Administration (MPA)Interested in the problems and challenges of government? The Master of Public Administration

degree introduces students to the practical and theoretical aspects of government policy,

programs and research. While jobs in Washington may not pay as much as Wall Street, jobsecurity and benefits are often considerable. The MPA emphasizes management and may be

thought of as the MBA for government.

TheNational Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration(NASPAA) has a list

of MPA programs, profiles of MPA graduates and salary surveys. The Association's 2010 survey

of federal government employers found MPA graduates earning anywhere from $55,000 per year

to more than $100,000 depending on the organization, location and skills of the employee.

Accounting, engineering and other other professionals interested in government can earn MPA

degrees on a part-time basis while they continue to work.

#7: Physical Therapy (MPT)The physical therapy profession offers daily contact with patients and strong demand. Physical

therapists help patients recover from injuries, surgery and other conditions through stretches,

exercises and other activities. The average annual salary for PTs is over $70,000 per year and the

field is expected to grow as the population ages. TheCommission on Accreditation of Physical

Therapy Education currently accredits more than 200 PT programs across the U.S.

#8-#10: Engineering (Civil, Electrical and Mechanical)Engineers are highly educated technical professionals with the ability to design aircraft, bridges,

financial products, public works, oil pipelines and electrical systems.Electrical engineers,for

example, work with complex technology, software and other electrical systems. According to

PayScale, electrical engineers with a master's degree in the field are paid $59,000 to $82,000.

Engineers can earn even more if they obtain management positions or work in the petroleum and

mining sector.

Quality Control engineers look at statistical data and review product specs to establish and

maintain standards within manufacturing industries. TheAmerican Society for Quality (ASQ)

represents these wide-ranging professionals.TheNational Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is America's main engineering

association. The Society provides educational materials, engineering license requirements, and

career resources. You can also find out about the engineering associations based in your state

through the NSPE.

http://www.naspaa.org/accreditation/ns/Roster.asphttp://www.capteonline.org/home.aspxhttp://www.capteonline.org/home.aspxhttp://www.brighthub.com/office/career-planning/articles/2277.aspxhttp://asq.org/index.aspxhttp://www.nspe.org/index.htmlhttp://www.nspe.org/index.htmlhttp://asq.org/index.aspxhttp://www.brighthub.com/office/career-planning/articles/2277.aspxhttp://www.capteonline.org/home.aspxhttp://www.capteonline.org/home.aspxhttp://www.naspaa.org/accreditation/ns/Roster.asp