Potential advantages of earning a Master’s degree

Although acquiring a Master's degree can be very time consuming, and may require finding more financial aid for college, The Huffington Post recently published a list of reasons why earning an MA or MS could be a good long-term career choice.

The news source said that if a bachelor's or associate's degree hasn't led to employment quite yet, more time spent in school could fill long gaps of unemployment. In addition, potential employers may have a greater tendency to respond to emails that end with an .edu. Networking at graduate school is also a major benefit.

"Anything that connects you to a recruiter or future employer can get your resume to the top of the pile," wrote Bhavin Parikh, CEO of online test prep company Magoosh, for The Huffington Post. "Alumni typically have a soft spot for other alums, as they know what it takes to make it through a program at that college or university. Sometimes it's true that it's not what you know; it's who you know."

One thing the news provider points out that may be of particular interest to single moms is that many colleges and universities offer night and weekend classes - which could possibly help maneuver new opportunities for education around a day job and child rearing duties.

Financial considerations for those thinking about a master's
Reporting on statistics released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Fox News stated that, for certain fields, a master's degree may help lead to a job with a starting salary 20 percent higher than would've been the case with a bachelor's. However, as post-graduate programs can be expensive, individuals considering continuing their education may want to put significant thought into financial planning for college.

Meanwhile, AZCentral - an Arizona-based news source - recently published an article explaining how many state universities - such as the three public colleges in Arizona - have implemented fast track programs for Master's degree candidates. The news provider said these programs are substantially cheaper than Master's degrees from private colleges, however they also come with disadvantages. Though they can be completed more quickly, accelerated programs are more time-intensive than standard tracks for getting a Master's. In addition, they're only available to recent graduates of schools who have established these programs, making them unlikely options for adults whose undergrad days are far behind them.

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