Master's degree

==Titles==
{{see also|List of master's degrees}}

Master's degrees are commonly titled using the form 'Master of ...', where either a faculty (typically Arts or Science) or a field (Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Business Administration, etc.) is specified. The two most common titles of master's degrees are the [[Master of Arts]] (MA/M.A./A.M) and [[Master of Science]] (MSc/M.Sc./M.S./S.M.) degrees, which normally consist of a mixture of research and taught material.<ref name="UK postgraduate master's">{{cite report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709052230/http://international.ac.uk/media/1469367/e-12-02.pdf|archive-date=9 July 2014|url=http://international.ac.uk/media/1469367/e-12-02.pdf|publisher=UK Higher Education International Unit|date=23 April 2012|title=Results of the 2011 UK HE International Unit European Activity Survey of UK HEIs - UK|page=6}}</ref><ref name="US Master's">{{cite web|url=http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/master.doc|title=Structure of the U.S. Education System: Master's Degrees|publisher=[[United States Department of Education]]|date=February 2008|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-date=14 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514002729/http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/master.doc|url-status=live}}</ref>

The title of [[Master of Philosophy]] (MPhil) indicates (in the same manner as [[Doctor of Philosophy]]) an extended degree with a large research component.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|title=The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies|publisher=[[Quality Assurance Agency]]|date=November 2014|page=36|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217062857/https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Other generically named master's programs include the [[Master of Studies]] (MSt)/[[Master of Advanced Study]] (MASt)/[[Master of Advanced Studies]] (M.A.S.), and Professional Master's (MProf). Integrated master's degrees and postgraduate master's degrees oriented towards professional practice are often more specifically named for their field of study ([[List of tagged degrees|"tagged degrees"]]), including, for example, [[Master of Business Administration]], [[Master of Divinity]], [[Master of Engineering]], [[Master of Physics]], and [[Master of Public Health]].

The form "Master in ..." is also sometimes used, particularly where a faculty title is used for an integrated master's degree in addition to its use in a traditional postgraduate master's degree, e.g. Master in Science (MSci) and Master in Arts (MArts). This form is also sometimes used with other integrated master's degrees<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/academicservices/qualitymanual/curriculum/unqf.aspx|title=University of Nottingham Qualifications Framework|publisher=University of Nottingham|work=Quality Manual|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821181827/http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/academicservices/qualitymanual/curriculum/unqf.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> and occasionally for postgraduate master's degrees (e.g. Master's in Accounting).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topuniversities.com/courses/accounting-finance/grad/guide|title=Masters in Accounting|access-date=10 July 2016|website=QS Top Universities|publisher=QS Quacquarelli Symonds|archive-date=29 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429065258/http://www.topuniversities.com/courses/accounting-finance/grad/guide|url-status=live}}</ref> Some [[universities]] use [[Latin]] degree names; because of the flexibility of [[Latin grammar|syntax in Latin]], the Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees may be known in these institutions as {{Lang|la|Magister artium}} and {{Lang|la|Magister scientiæ}} or reversed from the English order to {{Lang|la|Artium magister}} and {{Lang|la|Scientiæ magister}}. Examples of the reversed usage include [[Harvard University]] and the [[University of Chicago]], leading to the abbreviations A.M. and S.M. for these degrees. The forms "Master of Science" and "Master in Science" are indistinguishable in Latin.

In the UK, full stops (periods) are not commonly used in degree abbreviations.<ref name=OxStyle>{{cite book|url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/University%20of%20Oxford%20Style%20Guide%20%28updated%20Hilary%20term%202016%29.pdf|date=2016|access-date=10 July 2016|publisher=University of Oxford|title=University of Oxford Style Guide|page=20|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030344/https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/University%20of%20Oxford%20Style%20Guide%20%28updated%20Hilary%20term%202016%29.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Debrett's degrees">{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/hierarchies/letters-after-name/university-degrees|title=University Degrees|publisher=Debrett's|access-date=10 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528101159/http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/hierarchies/letters-after-name/university-degrees|archive-date=28 May 2016}}</ref> In the US, [[The Gregg Reference Manual]] recommends placing periods in degrees (e.g. B.S., Ph.D.), while [[The Chicago Manual of Style]] recommends writing degrees without periods (e.g. BS, PhD).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accu-assist.com/grammar-tips-archive/GrammarTip_academic-degrees.htm|title=Academic Degrees & Professional Designations|website=Accu-Assist|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=8 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608074621/http://www.accu-assist.com/grammar-tips-archive/GrammarTip_academic-degrees.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Master of Science is generally abbreviated M.S. or MS in countries following United States usage and MSc or M.Sc. in countries following British usage, where MS would refer to the degree of [[Master of Surgery]]. In Australia, some extended master's degrees use the title "doctor": [[Juris doctor]] and Doctors of Medical Practice, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Practice. Despite their titles these are still master's degree and may not be referred to as doctoral degrees, nor may graduates use the title "doctor".<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.aqf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/AQF-2nd-Edition-January-2013.pdf|pages=72–73|title=Australian Qualifications Framework|edition=Second|date=January 2013|publisher=Australian Qualifications Framework Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910151628/http://www.aqf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/aqf-2nd-edition-january-2013.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2016}}</ref>

===Types===
* '''Postgraduate/graduate master's degrees''' ([[Master of Arts|MA/M.A./A.M.]], [[MPhil|MPhil/M.Phil.]], [[Master of Science|MSc/M.S./SM]], [[Master of Business Administration|MBA/M.B.A.]], [[Master of Laws|LLM/LL.M.]], [[Master of Applied Science|MAsc]], etc.) are the traditional formal form of master's degree, where the student already holds an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree on entry. Courses normally last one year in the UK and two years in the US.<ref name="UK postgraduate master's"/><ref name="US Master's"/>
* '''Integrated master's degrees''' ([[MChem]], [[MEng]], [[MMath]], [[MPharm]], [[MPhys]], [[MPsych]], [[MSci]], etc.) are UK degrees that combine an undergraduate [[bachelor's degree]] course with an extra year at master's level (i.e. a total of four years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five years in Scotland). A 2011 survey of UK Higher Education Institutes found that 64% offered integrated master's course, mostly in [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]] disciplines, with the most common degrees being MEng, MSci and MChem. 82% of respondents conferred only a master's degree for the course, while 9% conferred a bachelor's degree at the end of the bachelor's-level stage and a master's degree at the end of the course and a further 9% conferred both bachelor's and master's degrees at the end of the course.<ref name=FHEQ>{{cite book|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication?PubID=2843#.V4JIDegXZSA|title=The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies|publisher=[[Quality Assurance Agency]]|date=November 2014|page=29|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013061809/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication?PubID=2843#.V4JIDegXZSA|archive-date=13 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709052230/http://international.ac.uk/media/1469367/e-12-02.pdf|archive-date=9 July 2014|url=http://international.ac.uk/media/1469367/e-12-02.pdf|publisher=UK Higher Education International Unit|date=23 April 2012|title=Results of the 2011 UK HE International Unit European Activity Survey of UK HEIs - UK|page=7}}</ref>
*'''Non-master's level master's degrees''' The ancient universities of the UK and Ireland have traditionally awarded MAs in a different manner to that usual today. The [[Scottish MA]] is a bachelor's-level qualification offered by the [[ancient universities of Scotland]]. The [[Oxbridge MA]] is not an academic qualification; it is granted without further examination to those who have gained a BA from [[Oxford University|Oxford]] or [[Cambridge University|Cambridge]] Universities in England,<ref name=FHEQ/> and the MA of [[Trinity College Dublin]] in Ireland is granted to its graduates in a similar manner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tcd-to-keep-selling-masters-25957591.html|title=TCD to keep selling Masters - Independent.ie|access-date=11 July 2016|date=19 November 2005|work=Independent.ie|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816144204/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tcd-to-keep-selling-masters-25957591.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The UK [[Quality Assurance Agency]] defines three categories of master's degrees:<ref name="Master's Characteristics">{{cite report|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf|title=Master's Degree Characteristics Statement|date=September 2015|publisher=[[Quality Assurance Agency]]|pages=4–5|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006014405/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* '''Research''' master's degrees are primarily research based, although may contain taught elements, particularly on research methods. Examples are the MLitt (usually, but not always a research degree), the Master's by Research, and the MPhil. The Master's ''by'' Research (MbyRes, ResM), which is a research degree, is distinct from the [[Master of Research|Master ''of'' Research]] (MRes), which is a taught degree concentrating on research methods.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf|title=Master's Degree Characteristics Statement|date=September 2015|publisher=[[Quality Assurance Agency]]|pages=10–13|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006014405/http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Specialised or advanced study''' master's degrees are primarily taught degrees, although commonly at least a third of the course is devoted to a research project assessed by dissertation. These may be stand-alone master's courses, leading to, e.g., MSc, MA or MRes degrees, or integrated master's degrees. 
* '''Professional or practice''' master's degrees (see also [[professional degree]]) are designed to prepare students for a particular professional career and are primarily taught, although they may include work placements and independent study projects. Some may require professional experience for entry. Examples include MBA, MDiv, LLM and MSW as well as some integrated master's degrees. The name of the degree normally includes the subject name.

The [[United States Department of Education]] classifies master's degrees as '''research''' or '''professional'''. Research master's degrees in the US (e.g., M.A./A.M. or M.S.) require the completion of taught courses and examinations in a major and one or more minor subjects, as well as (normally) a research thesis. Professional master's degrees may be structured like research master's (e.g., M.E./M.Eng.) or may concentrate on a specific discipline (e.g., M.B.A.) and often substitute a project for the thesis.<ref name="US Master's"/>

The [[Australian Qualifications Framework]] classifies master's degrees as '''research''', '''coursework''' or '''extended'''. Research master's degrees typically take one to two years, and at least two-thirds of their content consists of research, research training and independent study.<ref>{{cite web |title=Master of Research (MRES) - UniSQ Handbook |url=https://www.unisq.edu.au/handbook/2023/sciences/mres.html |website=www.unisq.edu.au |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> Coursework master's degrees typically also last one to two years, and consist mainly of structured learning with some independent research and project work or practice-related learning. Extended master's degrees typically take three to four years and contain significant practice-related learning that must be developed in collaboration with relevant professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.<ref name=AQF>{{cite book|url=http://www.aqf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/AQF-2nd-Edition-January-2013.pdf|pages=59–62|title=Australian Qualifications Framework|edition=Second|date=January 2013|publisher=Australian Qualifications Framework Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910151628/http://www.aqf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/aqf-2nd-edition-january-2013.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2016}}</ref>

In Ireland, master's degrees may be either '''Taught''' or '''Research'''. Taught master's degrees are normally one to two year courses, rated at 60 - 120 ECTS credits, while research master's degrees are normally two year courses, either rated at 120 ECTS credits or not credit rated.<ref name=NFQ>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfq-qqi.com/index.html|title=Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)|access-date=13 July 2016|publisher=Quality and Qualifications Ireland|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826202821/http://www.nfq-qqi.com/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>