Different types of Masters Programs available for Graduate Students.
Master’s program is an advanced degree obtained after a Bachelor’s degree. It is called Masters (Latin Magister) cos it demonstrates mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.
Categories of Master’s program.
1. Research based Master’s program
2. Course based Master’s program
For the sake of clarity, we will be discussing the differences, similarities and significant of these two categories of Master’s program. And of course, give you clue on which is best for you.
Course based Master’s program:
Usually, this program is a one-year duration study. It requires the student to take major courses specific to a particular profession or discipline. A small portion of it demands project research courses after which the student is obliged to defend the project and the program is completed.
Research based Master’s program:
Here the duration span for more than one year or two. This is because of the lengthy research based courses and projects attached to this program. Most research based Master’s programs are funded by the department/ institution/private laboratory/company of interest. There is always a stipend attached to this to see to the upkeep of the research students.
For students hoping to further to PhD degree, it is advised that he/she considers research based Master’s program. Reason is because the student stands a better chance of obtaining supervisor for PhD easily since he/she had a prior knowledge on research based projects unlike someone who took course based Master’s program.
Furthermore, the application processes for these two categories of Master’s program are quite different. In course based master’s program, the students directly apply to the school of interest with the required supporting documents, while in research based Master’s program, there is a designated step. First, the student has to source for supervisor(s) who is interested in a proposed research topic and write to him/her. It is only when the student has secured a supervisor who is ready to fund for or interested in funding for the research project that application processes begins proper.
In conclusion, the choice of the type of Master’s program to go for is entirely that of the student’s. However, it is advised that one goes for a program of best fit. This simply means going for a program that defines the previous academic background or qualifications. One can as well try his grounds on other options as long as there is tangible proof of strength.
Here you have it, we hope this helps you make the right decision on which master’s degree program to go for.
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