How long it takes to earn a master's degree can vary widely, including by the type of program you’re choosing to enroll in, what academic level it is and the institution offering it.
Master's Degree
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How long it takes to earn a master's degree can vary widely, including by the type of program you’re choosing to enroll in, what academic level it is and the institution offering it.
Because there are so many factors to consider when it comes to figuring out how long it takes to earn a master's degree, we decided to shed some light on the process. In this article, we'll talk about the average length of a master's degree program and some of the other factors that can affect how long it takes to earn a master's degree in the following sections:
Like many postsecondary education programs, you can enroll in a master's degree program on a part-time or full-time schedule. If you are enrolled as a full-time student, your master's degree program can typically be completed in about two years. If you are enrolled on a part-time basis, it could take longer. Time spent earning your master’s degree can also be extended if you take breaks in between class sessions.
Keep in mind that taking longer to complete your degree program is not inherently a bad thing. Pursuing a master's degree part-time can give you much-needed flexibility that allows you to attend school while keeping prior commitments such as working a full-time job or caring for a family.
Every degree curriculum is built differently, and because of that they can vary in overall length and intensity. Some degrees are designed to be completed very quickly, while others are designed to cover more complex concepts, requiring you to take more classes and spend longer in school. Some programs may also have higher credit requirements, which can increase the length of time it takes to complete your master's degree.
The number of credits needed to graduate from a master's degree program varies from program to program. The number of credits in a master’s degree program can range between 30 and 60 credits.
Taking a look at how many credits a program requires can help you figure out how long it takes to earn a master's degree. In many cases, each course counts for three or four credits. Breaking down the number of courses you take per session and calculating the value of each credit can give you a good idea of how long earning a particular degree takes.
Finally, any degree requirements that you have not met when you start looking for a master's degree program can affect how long it takes to earn your degree. For instance, just about every master's degree program is going to require you to earn a bachelor's degree before you can enroll.
Another factor is any transfer credits you may be bringing with you from another school or program. Depending on the rules of each master’s program, you may be able to use the credit hours from previously completed courses to count toward your master’s degree, which may play a role in reducing the amount of time you’ll spend at school.
At DeVry, we offer a variety of master's degree programs in technology, business, accounting and healthcare as part of our Keller Graduate School of Management. Explore our master's degree programs to find one that’s right for you, or contact our admissions team to answer your questions or for more information about how long it takes to earn a master's degree with us.
*Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Naperville Campus: 1200 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online compliant system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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