How to Get a Master’s Degree 

Explore the complete roadmap to earning your master’s degree. From helping you research programs to applying and thriving in graduate school, this guide helps you navigate every step. 

A master’s degree is an advanced professional degree that is typically completed after a bachelor’s degree. The primary variation is that some dual degree programs allow students to complete a master’s degree at the same time as their bachelor’s degree programs. Otherwise, most master’s degrees take one to two years of full-time study to complete.  

Colleges and universities offer master’s degrees in a huge range of subjects. Common master’s programs range from education and teaching to nursing, occupational therapy, and health services administration.  

A master’s degree can open doors to more professional opportunities in both entry-level and established career paths. A number of careers require a master’s degree, even for entry-level positions, while others, such as teaching, may require a master’s degree to maintain certification in the long term.  

In addition to specific career paths, master’s degrees can lead to increased earning potential over the course of a career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people with master’s degrees earn salaries around 15% higher and have lower unemployment rates than people who only hold bachelor’s degrees.¹  

Earning a master’s degree can also be a good choice for people who are changing careers. Someone who has earned an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field can greatly expand their options in a new field by honing their skills and expanding their knowledge and professional network in a graduate program.  

How do you get a master’s degree? It depends on how you start your education. The most common path toward a master’s degree follows these steps: 

Not everyone follows the same path to earning a master’s degree. Students who are confident in their desire to earn a graduate degree may choose to enter dual degree programs, for instance, which allow them to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s without reapplying to a new program, often in a shorter amount of time than the traditional path.  

On the other hand, career changers may take years to complete their degrees or even work for decades between their undergraduate and graduate degrees. As a result, they may need to earn prerequisite credits prior to enrolling in their master’s programs.  

Full-time master’s degree students can generally complete their degrees in two years. Part-time students can expect to spend longer completing their degree requirements, depending on the program.  

Potential applicants wondering how to get master’s degree credentials in a shorter time might consider dual degree programs, which often allow students to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years. 

The criteria for master’s degree program admissions depend entirely on the program as well as the school itself. At Russell Sage, for example, admission to the graduate school requires: 

Part of learning how to get a master’s degree includes figuring out how to pay for a graduate degree. Many financial resources are available to prospective graduate students, including scholarships, grants, and employer-sponsored tuition reimbursements. Because earning a master’s degree can have a significant impact on a graduate’s earning potential, many students also take out loans to assist with the cost of tuition and living during graduate school.  

Some graduate students may be able to supplement the cost of enrollment with assistantships. At Sage, graduate assistantships provide tuition waivers and stipends for students.² Assistants may work in an academic or administrative office or assist faculty in research.  

Additionally, Sage partners with local businesses and organizations to offer a 10% tuition discount on specific graduate programs in addition to deferred tuition payments for employees connected to  Workforce Development Partnership organizations. For example, a partnership with Albany Medical Center allows Sage to offer a 30% tuition discount for employees who enroll in graduate nursing programs.  

At Sage, graduate students earning their master’s degrees can tap into a range of resources and supportive services as they progress through their programs.  

Academic Support: Academic and student support services are available through the Sage library system, which also hosts books, academic journals, and quiet study spaces for on-campus graduate students.   

Career Support: Both Sage campuses in Albany and Troy, New York, include a Career and Self-Discovery Center, offering students assistance with career exploration, mock interviews, job searches, networking, and more. Students can access these services in person as well as online.  

Technology Support: Graduate students enrolling in in-person, hybrid, and online programs at Russell Sage will have access to Moodle, which is the online learning platform leveraged by Sage professors to post course updates, assignments, and submission links.³ 

Financial Support: In addition to financial aid and scholarships, some graduate students qualify for graduate assistantships (GA). A GA requires 150 hours (about 10 hours per week) of in-person work each semester. As of 2025, GAs include a stipend and a tuition waiver. Students must be registered for at least six credits to qualify for a GA.  

If you are ready to start your graduate journey to a more fulfilling career, explore graduate programs at Russell Sage. Not sure which graduate program is right for you? You can find your master’s program with Russell Sage’s program finder to ensure the perfect match for your skills and long-term career goals.  

The requirements for a master’s degree depend on the master’s program. Typical requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA, the satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a completed application.  

Some master’s programs do require scores from the GRE, but as of 2025, many programs, including those at Sage, do not require the GRE. 

Full-time students can expect to complete a master’s degree program in two years. Students who are only able to attend part-time may take longer to complete their degrees. 

At Sage, many of master’s programs have online or hybrid learning options to maximize flexibility for graduate students. Part-time master’s programs are also available for students with other professional or personal commitments.  

Graduate students are eligible for federal student loans, which require filling out the FAFSA. At Sage, graduate students may also be eligible for graduate assistantships, scholarships, and tuition discounts, depending on their courses of study and employer status. 

A master’s degree can be an essential stepping stone to a more lucrative and fulfilling career. To choose the right master’s program for your career goals, choose a course of study that will allow you to hone skills essential for the career you want and develop a network of professionals in your chosen field as well as one that boasts a track record of finding alumni those types of roles.