Yes, a master’s degree is a graduate degree. In the U.S. higher education system, “graduate degree” refers to any degree earned after a bachelor’s, and the master’s is the most common one. It sits between a bachelor’s degree (undergraduate) and a doctorate (the highest academic degree you can earn).
Where a Master’s Fits in the Degree Hierarchy
U.S. colleges and universities organize degrees into a clear sequence. Associate degrees typically take two years and require around 60 credit hours. Bachelor’s degrees take about four years and require roughly 120 credit hours. Both are undergraduate degrees.
Everything above a bachelor’s is considered graduate-level. A master’s degree is the first tier of graduate education, and a doctorate is the highest. So when you see the phrase “graduate degree,” it can mean either a master’s or a doctorate, but in everyday conversation, people usually mean a master’s.
Graduate vs. Postgraduate
If you’ve seen the term “postgraduate” and wondered whether it means the same thing, the answer depends on where you are. In the United States, the standard term is “graduate degree.” In countries like the United Kingdom, India, and Australia, the same level of study is called a “postgraduate degree.” Both terms describe a master’s or doctoral program that comes after completing a bachelor’s. The difference is purely regional vocabulary, not a different credential.
Common Types of Master’s Degrees
Master’s degrees generally fall into two camps: academic and professional. Academic master’s degrees are research-oriented, while professional ones prepare you for a specific career. Here are the ones you’ll encounter most often:
- MA (Master of Arts): One of the most common designations, typically awarded in humanities, social sciences, and related fields.
- MS or MSc (Master of Science): Awarded in STEM fields and disciplines with a scientific or mathematical foundation. The thesis is often a piece of original research.
- MBA (Master of Business Administration): A professional degree aimed at management careers. Some programs target recent graduates, while Executive MBA programs are designed for professionals with three to five years of experience.
- MFA (Master of Fine Arts): Focused on visual arts, performing arts, design, and creative fields, with a stronger practical emphasis than an MA.
- MEd (Master of Education): A professionalizing degree for people working in education practice, as opposed to a research-focused MA in education.
- MPH (Master of Public Health): Emphasizes practical, applied public health training rather than the purely research-oriented approach of an MS in the same field.
- LLM (Master of Laws): A one-year program that lets law graduates specialize in a specific area of law.
The distinction between academic and professional tracks matters more than you might expect. An MS in public health and an MPH cover similar subject matter, but the MS leans toward research while the MPH prepares you for fieldwork. Choosing the right type depends on whether you’re headed toward a research career, a doctorate, or a professional role.
What You Need to Get In
Because a master’s is a graduate degree, you need a bachelor’s degree first. Most programs require your bachelor’s to be from an accredited institution, and some want it in a related field. Beyond the degree itself, here’s what admissions offices typically look for:
A minimum GPA of 2.5 is a common baseline, though competitive programs often expect higher. Some fields require professional experience before you apply. MBA programs, for instance, frequently want at least a year or more in the workforce.
Standardized tests remain part of the process at many schools, though a growing number have made them optional. The GRE is the most widely accepted test for master’s and doctoral programs, covering math, vocabulary, and critical analysis. Business schools often require the GMAT instead. Non-native English speakers typically need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores as well.
Your application will usually include transcripts from every college you’ve attended, two to three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of around 500 to 800 words explaining your goals and fit for the program. Application fees generally range from $50 to $85 per school.
How Long a Master’s Takes
Most full-time master’s programs run one to two years, depending on the field and program structure. Part-time options stretch that timeline but let you keep working. A doctorate, by comparison, can take three to seven years or more. That shorter time commitment is one reason the master’s is the more popular graduate degree for people looking to advance their careers without spending half a decade in school.