After earning your bachelor’s degree, you hunt either for a full-time job or a part-time with the swing of university life. The idea of specialization is great if you are career-oriented and want to excel in the field of interest. There are plenty of options available to continue from the study area you have already pursued. Which option to go for? Pretty confused about where your interest lies? Haven’t ever actually researched on projected growth or annual income of the career you aim to look for? Thankfully, the pool of experienced career counselors at Edvise Hub are here to help you overcome all the challenges you are facing at any stage of academic life, and with career related issues. Not necessarily fitting you into one, but pulling you to identify the opportunities around you and the underlying interest. So, if not fortunate enough to know where to study and what to specialize in, then the educational counselor can be the finest option to guide you in all related matters. And if clear and beginning to think about Masters, then you may wonder where to start. Here is a brief guide to help students get familiar on ‘How to Search and Choose a Good Master’s Program’
Making a clear decision to purse Master’s Degree – MSc, MBA or MA appears a challenging task because it’s the last time to decide in which particular career you see yourself and want to grow. So think well before choosing any specialization field in any institute. These questions should pop up in mind when planning to start a Master’s degree.
- Which institute is the best considering the budget, ranking, graduate employability and specialization field?
- Which specialization field suits my interest and needs?
- Will it be a coursework or research based?
- How long the program duration is?
- What will be the career prospects from my chosen field of specialization?
For beginning out on the smooth journey towards finding a good and suitable master’s program, follow these stages in a sequential manner. Make quick notes or jot down the important information in a file so that you can review it later and think peacefully.
- Select a University
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Selecting the right university for studying specialization course is absolutely crucial. Institute ranking and reputation, its links to the industry, graduate employability, curriculum, tuition fee, course duration and most importantly accreditation at this level is the most important factors to consider. Institutes offer the best which they have to attract and enroll students. From a student perspective, it is crucial to see what they will be offered throughout the program and how it will help them in future career options. The ultimate goal is a secured job and growth in the opted career. It can be achieved through the theoretical and practical exposure a degree offers. So look at the reputation of such establishments in context of the selected work industry and academic sector. Find a university that your preferred industry recognizes, also which maintains both consistency and quality of academic provision.
- Decide on the Field of Specialization
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When considering the place and location to study, one important thing is to look for the field of specialization for your master’s program. Does the institute offer or not? Check on the faculty who will teach this course. Pick out the interest by realizing what you love to do and never feel as a burden. For instance, you did well in management courses and looking forward to be a project manager in reputed organization, then you must go for project management degree. Now decide which particular area interests you the most? Is it Agile process and control, scrum master or any other? Your choice of specialization should always be grounded on the interest underlying not on the pressure you get from the society. Holding a passion for a subject allows you to perform better, easily manage time pressures during course time period, and help you excel in that area.
Consider whether the curriculum of the university offers international or global edge. Also is it recognized from the authoritative bodies or accredited. In Australia, the project management degree is by accredited Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM). Moreover, this ensures that the students have attained a level that meets standard set by experts in the field.
- Consider the Program Duration
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The next thing to notice is the course duration of the master’s program. Country wise and across the field, the program duration differs. In UK the master program mostly for a one-year period, and in Australia and USA it commonly goes for two-year period. The difference also lies if it’s with the research or coursework, also on the institute accreditation. On average, a master’s programs minimum time is around a year or 14 months with a dissertation and internship component. Selecting a master’s program, under a year in length put a risk of the degree to be unrecognized when applying for job.
- Search for Scholarship
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Usually at Masters level, students look for scholarship. Universities offer various scholarship programs that should be check on looking at if your region falls into it, also the criteria on which the scholarship is offered. Check on the percent of tuition fee waiver, stipend, accommodation and other expenses allowances. Not always you’ll find scholarship in your program, so check every detail before assuming or just looking at what you want to.
- Investigate the Curriculum
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After making a decision about the specialization field, check on the courses offered each semester and the overview of what it will cover. Get in touch with the course manager of the program if anything is unclear. Utilize the opportunity to ask the queries you have about the covered subjects and the assessment strategies. This will let you be more confident on your choice.
- Think about your Career Prospects
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Earning a master’s qualification allows you to enter the job market on a different footing. Currently, there is an increase in graduate competition that requires students to be persistent, and wisely choose the specialization if they are career-oriented or looking to achieve the career goals they have always aimed for. This piece of paper is a source of growth. Immediately entering the desired job depends much on the skillset one possesses and the knowledge gained. The career job prospects also rely on individual capabilities, previous experiences and moreover the master degree one is holding from a reputed institute. Choosing the right master’s program is the most significant choice to make. Make a sound decision by selecting a university which is globally recognized, reputed and offers the best of courses within its curriculum, with a student-friendly environment.
