Master of Arts vs. Master of Science: What's the Difference?

A master's degree allows you to gain specialized knowledge in your field and can make you more competitive in the job market — but there's more than one kind of master's degree available. Some are specific to a profession, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Nursing Science (MSN).

So, what is a master's degree exactly? A master's degree is an advanced degree that provides in-depth learning beyond a bachelor's.

What is the Difference Between an MA and MS Degree?

There are a few major differences between a Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degree, according to Nicole Lounder, an admission counselor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) with 17 years of experience working in education.

An MA is generally focused on liberal arts and humanities fields, Lounder said, while the Master of Science focuses more on scientific or technical expertise.

"There's a lot more research and writing based in the Masters of Arts," Lounder said. Meanwhile, she said Master of Science degrees tend to be more focused on hard skills.

It’s important to review the degree programs that interest you by:

• Examining the curriculum: Most schools have their entire course catalog available online. Be sure to review the course list for the Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees available in fields that interest you. This will help you decide if the more theoretical-based Master of Arts or the more technical Master of Science is the best fit to reach your goals.
  
  
• Considering your goals: Identifying your goal for earning a master's degree will help direct you to the right degree for you. Consider whether your goal is to earn more money, work in a specific career field or advance in your current field and use your answers to determine if a humanities-based degree or more technical degree is the right choice.

To help make your decision, study the resources available on the websites of the schools you're interested in. Reach out to their alumni network to see if graduates from your program are available to speak with prospective students.

Is an MA or MS Better?

There’s really no right or wrong when choosing a master’s degree — your interests and goals are what matter most. Your school's academic advisors or admission counselors can help you select the degree that best fits your aspirations, but the final decision rests with you.

It’s important to note that having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree does not necessarily mean you have to earn a Master of Arts degree. The same holds true with Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.

Perhaps you enjoyed the focus on humanities covered in your Bachelor of Arts degree, but you want a more technical Master of Science degree to benefit your career advancement. Or maybe your Bachelor of Science degree was great scientific or technical instruction, but now you’re ready for a more liberal arts-focused master’s degree. Both are okay, and both are possible.

"Dig and see what is that long term goal," Lounder said. "Where do you see yourself?"

What’s the Difference Between a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree?

Before deciding which master’s degree is right for you, it helps to take a close look at the difference between a bachelor's and master's degree.

The bachelor’s degree provides the general education skills you’ll need to succeed in any field, coupled with several years of introductory coursework in your major. A bachelor's degree in any field will require completing a series of courses designed to ensure that every learner graduates with the core skills needed to communicate, conduct research and think critically.

A master’s degree, on the other hand, allows you study your chosen academic field more closely, according to Lounder.

"You really dive deep into the content," she said. "It's hyper-focused."

They can also take less time to complete than a bachelor’s degree.

The time it takes to get a bachelor's degree varies, but it is commonly referred to as a "four-year degree," and usually needs 120 credits to complete. How long it takes to get a master's degree also varies by program, but it can typically be done in just one or two years.

Why Earn a Master’s Degree?

Only 14.4% of adults had a master's degree in 2021, according to the United States Census Bureau. If you're part of that percentage, Lounder said you might be more competitive in the job market and stand out in job interviews.

"That master's degree is going to shine brighter than somebody who has just their bachelor's degree," she said.

The degree signals to employers that you’re committed to learning more about a particular subject. It also shows employers that you've accomplished the written, creative and analytical thinking skills needed to succeed in your career field.

While a graduate degree isn't a guarantee of employment, the more highly educated you are, the greater your predicted earnings are over time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).* BLS reports the median annual wage for professions requiring a master's degree was $1,737 per week in 2023, compared with $1,493 per week for those with only a bachelor's degree.*

Earning a higher salary is a worthy objective, but that's only one reason to invest the time and money in furthering your education. Other reasons to pursue a graduate education include:

• Accomplishing a personal or professional goal
• Advancing in your career over time
• Furthering personal interest
• Honing research skills and contributing to scholarship in your field
• Qualifying for a career change

In many online programs, you can work to finish your degree at your own pace and complete your coursework each week when it's convenient for you.

Are Master's Degrees in Demand?

Master's degrees are in higher demand than ever, according to BLS.* In fact, employment in occupations requiring a master's degree is projected to grow by 12.1% from 2023 to 2033, BLS said.* That's the fastest growth of any education level.

Of the 880,200 master's degrees conferred during the 2021-22 school year in the U.S., the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported the top three degree areas were:

• Business degrees – 205,751 conferrals
• Education degrees – 151,707 conferrals
• Health professions degrees – 147,035 conferrals

Within each of these disciplines — and others, such as social sciences, liberal arts and STEM — you can narrow in on the subject that interests you most. Some colleges, such as SNHU, have dozens of master’s degrees available for you to explore and choose from.

Master of Science

A few MS options are:

• MS in Criminal Justice – Focus on advanced counterterrorism or public safety administration in your quest to make your mark within the U.S. justice system
• MS in Healthcare Administration – Graduate studies in this in-demand area could incorporate principles of finance, law, policy, informatics and strategic planning
• MS in Information Technology – A variety of concentration options allow you to customize your Master of Science degree to help you meet the business, technical and analytical needs of your organization
• MS in Psychology – Specialize in child & adolescent development psychology, forensic psychology or industrial organizational psychology to gain master’s level knowledge in psychological theory and methods

Master of Arts

MA degrees to consider include:

• MA in Communication – Concentrate on new media & marketing or public relations for a laser-sharp focus on a field where you can deliver an impact through shaping and delivering multi-modal messages
• MA in English – The focus on literary texts and analysis as well as literary scholarship can lead to careers in teaching, public relations, technical writing, fundraising and more
• MA in Creative Writing – Focus on fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting with advanced academic training in this degree, and enjoy developing your written communication, critical analysis and literary craft
• MA in History – Understanding the past is the key to a better future, and historians lead the way. A focus on American history, military history or public history can help prepare you for a museum career or work as a journalist, educator or archivist, to name just a few

Other Master's Degrees

There are other types of master's degrees to consider apart from MS and MA degrees, too. For example, at SNHU you could also consider these options:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Master of Nursing Science (MSN)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)

Lounder suggested examining every available degree to weight your options because there might be more than one choice for your field of study. For example, she noted that there are multiple options for marketing degrees at SNHU, including an MS in Marketing or an MBA in Marketing.

What Can You Do After a Master's?

While you don't have to have a master's degree to earn a graduate certificate, many people choose to follow up their master's degree by sub-specializing with a certificate. Likewise, if you aren't sure if earning a master's degree is for you, you might consider enrolling in a certificate program instead.

For instance, SNHU offers more than a dozen certificate programs in many areas. A few examples include:

• Human resources certificate
• Marketing certificate
• Nonprofit management certificate
• Software engineering certificate

And after completing the master's degree or post-master's certificate, you might wish to continue on to earn a doctorate or other terminal degree in your field.

Learn more about the types of college degrees.

So, Is a Master’s Degree Right for You?

A master’s degree is more than an investment of time and money. It’s also an investment in yourself. The best part about choosing a master’s degree is that you can choose to study something that really interests you.

There are a lot of options when it comes to graduate study. As the workplace continues to evolve, a master's degree allows you to evolve along with it. You'll be better prepared to weather changes in the job market and positioned to excel in your field. A master's degree can allow you to invest in your own potential.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn.