If you are pursuing a career in sociology, earning a Master’s degree in this field will allow you to choose from any number of career choices after graduation. Whether you prefer working in health care, business, social work, or for the government, with a Master’s in sociology, you can apply for a number of jobs that will match your personal preference.

Sociologists in the health care field provide much needed data for the administration to determine which group of people need the most medical care, and in which communities these people live and work. They also gather information on the types of medical services a health care facility needs to provide for the patients that they serve.

If you enjoy working in the business field, with a Master’s degree in sociology, you could choose to work as a coordinator for affirmative action and similar business practices. Alternatively, you may choose to work in market research. As a market researcher, you gather information from different classes of people to determine which group is more apt to buy the products or services a business provides. Sociologists work in the human resource departments of corporations as well. They provide counseling for employees, disseminate much needed information to the public about certain businesses, and work in the labor relations field.

With a Master’s degree in sociology, you can serve the general population to make life better for them. You may choose a particular population, such as inmates in prison or recent parolees. You may conduct work as a rehabilitation counselor or as a social worker for inmates with special problems. Sociologists help inmates transition back into society before their release.

If your choice is to work in urban areas, your Master’s degree in sociology will enable you to work with families or businesses in underprivileged sections of a major city. Compiling data and analyzing information help people to get the help they need in certain demographics that will help make their lives more manageable.

Community organizing is another popular field in sociology. Studying the behavior of people within communities will help you gather information and data needed to decide what government funds a community needs. Sociologists also use this information to determine the individual needs in a culturally diverse population.

Human relations are at the center of the study of sociology. With a degree in this field, you could use what you learn in a number of social agencies such as juvenile delinquent centers, childcare centers, or at substance abuse facilities. Helping to teach people with these specific problems to cope with their life struggles is just one other challenging but gratifying aspect of sociology.

If you have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in education, chances are you are already thinking about pursuing your Master’s. Even if you are already employed, you should consider your Master’s degree to remain relevant and up to date in your field. Teachers who have been employed for a few years are usually expected to begin work on their graduate degrees in order to be better qualified to instruct their students. Though going to grad school can be hard to balance on top of teaching duties, a Master’s in education is a crucial step to your success and job security.

Depending on your state, an advanced degree may be required for certification. In most places, a candidate must have an advanced degree in order to pursue administrative positions within the school, such as that of dean and principle. If you are thinking of becoming a school counselor, be aware that a Master’s degree is usually required for this position as well.

A Master’s degree in education generally takes about two years, though candidates who are also currently teaching may need to take more time to complete the degree. The degree may require as many as 90 credits to complete, and the standards for staying in many programs are rigorously high.

There are several majors associated with the Master’s in education. Curriculum and Instruction is the most common area of concentration for classroom teachers. Students engage in education research in order to become better classroom instructors. Similarly, the Adult Education concentration focuses on classroom instruction that is geared towards those 18 or older. Candidates study literacy, English as a second language, and other subjects related to helping adults who have returned to school.

In the Academic Enrichment concentration, candidates work on furthering their knowledge in their specific area of employment. For example, an English teacher might pursue more advanced studies in the subject of English, while an elementary school teacher might further explore childhood development and psychology.

For a School Counseling concentration, candidates usually have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or a related field before pursuing certification as a counselor. This degree prepares them for the role of advisor and mentor to students in need of academic and even personal guidance.

Students can also enter an Ed.D or PhD preparatory program, a Master’s degree which is intended to precede a Doctorate. A Doctorate in education qualifies a candidate for administrative positions within a school, as well as positions within a college or university. Participants in an Ed.D prep Master’s program engage in intense educational research to ready them for a rigorous Doctorate degree.

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Applied Anthropology (MAA)
• Master of Engineering (MEng, MS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• And many other master degree programs

Prior to entering a master degree program, students should have already attained their bachelor’s degree; as this is often a prerequisite. However, at some universities and colleges, prospective candidates may be evaluated on their background work experiences to determine if those applicants have the essential technological skills and knowledge to enroll in a master degree program.

In a master degree program, students are awarded an academic degree for successfully completing their postsecondary or graduate course. Unlike Associate degree programs, a master degree program is often more comprehensive and can be typically earned in about three years of study.

Just a few tidbits on some Master Degree Programs:

Master degree programs such as the Master of Arts is most rudimentary and often involves coursework that is exclusively based on research. The Master of Engineering degree is commonly awarded to students who have completed master’s level courses and training in the engineering field.

One of the most familiar master degree programs offered at most colleges or universities is the Master of Business Administration degree. As the name implies, an MBA is awarded to graduates who have successfully finished their courses in business management. MBAs are also field-specific; focusing on accounting, finance, and marketing.

While many Master degree programs are generally geared toward liberal arts, some, like the Master of Applied Anthropology degree is considered a professional degree due to the fact that this particular master’s degree is based on uncommon educational courses; and more focused outside the norm of mainstream careers.

Furthermore, students who desire to enter a master degree program geared toward teaching should know that while a bachelor’s degree is the minimum standard for teaching jobs at most public schools, students who have already gained teaching employment may go onto one of several continuing education courses, which will ultimately lead to a master’s degree