The Structure of the Master's Degree in the United States

 Postgraduate Education
Postgraduate EducationPostgraduate education is a further step for those
Postgraduate education is a further step for thosegraduates who desire to continue their study or to
graduates who desire to continue their study or todevote themselves to a research work. If a student
devote themselves to a research work. If a studenthas chosen to begin postgraduate education he/she
has chosen to begin postgraduate education he/shemay get such degrees as the Master of Arts, the
may get such degrees as the Master of Arts, theMaster of Science, the Master of Philosophy, the
Master of Science, the Master of Philosophy, theMaster of Letters, and the number of degrees of a
Master of Letters, and the number of degrees of aDoctor.
Doctor.It is a matter of fact that the postgraduate
It is a matter of fact that the postgraduateeducation is complicated in its structure and hierarchy.
education is complicated in its structure and hierarchy.The Master of Arts and the Master of Science may
The Master of Arts and the Master of Science maybe represented in three different variants. They may
be represented in three different variants. They maybe based on a course, researches and both on a
be based on a course, researches and both on acourse and researches.
course and researches.Different Names for Degrees
Different Names for DegreesSometimes one can meet Latin names of these
Sometimes one can meet Latin names of thesedegrees. The Master of Arts in Latin sounds like
degrees. The Master of Arts in Latin sounds likeMagister Artium and Artium Magister. The Master of
Magister Artium and Artium Magister. The Master ofScience is known as Magister Scientie and Scientiarum
Science is known as Magister Scientie and ScientiarumMagister. In the United States these degrees are
Magister. In the United States these degrees areknown by the abbreviations MA, M.A., MS, and M.S.
known by the abbreviations MA, M.A., MS, and M.S.If the specialty of a student is more concrete his/her
If the specialty of a student is more concrete his/herdegree may also be more concrete: the Master of
degree may also be more concrete: the Master ofMusic, the Master of Communication, and etc.
Music, the Master of Communication, and etc.The Structure of Master's Degrees
The Structure of Master's DegreesNot every student can be admitted to the
Not every student can be admitted to thepostgraduate education. An applicant should be aware
postgraduate education. An applicant should be awareof his/her ability to undertake further education.
of his/her ability to undertake further education.Some educational establishments have an obligatory
Some educational establishments have an obligatorycondition for entrance: an applicant must write a
condition for entrance: an applicant must write adissertation. Other universities do not have such
dissertation. Other universities do not have suchterms. Besides, sometimes the Master's degree may
terms. Besides, sometimes the Master's degree maybe offered at an undergraduate level. Sometimes a
be offered at an undergraduate level. Sometimes awork experience in the concrete field of research is
work experience in the concrete field of research isdesirable.
desirable.The Term of Receiving the Master's Degree
The Term of Receiving the Master's DegreeOne should study from one to six years to be
One should study from one to six years to beawarded the Master's degree in the United States.
awarded the Master's degree in the United States.Other countries have absolutely different conditions.
Other countries have absolutely different conditions.