Types of graduate degrees: What they are and how to choose

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Key takeaways about graduate degrees

  • Graduate degrees fall into four main categories — Master’s, doctoral, professional degrees, and graduate certificates/microcredentials.
  • Master’s degrees boost career growth quickly — Programs like MA, MS, MBA, and MEd typically take 1–3 years and focus on advanced skills or research.
  • Doctoral degrees build deep expertise — PhDs emphasize research, while professional doctorates like EdD or DBA focus on applied leadership and practice.
  • Professional degrees prepare you for licensed careers — Examples include MD for medicine, JD for law, and PharmD for pharmacy.
  • Graduate certificates and microcredentials offer flexible options — Short programs help you upskill fast without committing to a full degree.

Thinking about grad school but unsure which degree fits your goals? With so many acronyms—MA, MS, MBA, PhD, EdD—it can feel overwhelming. But most grad programs fall into just a few major types. Once you understand how each one works, choosing your path becomes much easier. This guide breaks down key degree types so you can find your best fit.

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What are the main types of graduate degrees?

Most graduate degrees fall into four main categories:

These categories cover the main types of graduate degrees you’ll see across different fields. The right fit for you comes down to your goals, how you like to learn, and how much time you want to spend in school.


Master’s degrees: Level up your knowledge and career

A master’s degree is an academic degree earned after a bachelor’s degree. Master's programs usually include advanced coursework, applied projects, research, or internships. They usually take 1–3 years to complete, depending on your field and program type. 

There are two main categories of master’s degrees:

  • Master of Arts (MA): Explores humanities, arts, or social sciences
  • Master of Science (MS): Advances your knowledge in STEM and technical fields

Other master's degrees include:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA): Develops business management and leadership skills
  • Master of Social Work (MSW): Prepares students for clinical and community-based social work practice
  • Master of Education (MEd): Prepares students for teaching and educational leadership
  • Master of Fine Arts (MFA): Builds creative skills and expertise in studio arts or writing
  • Master of Public Health (MPH): Examines public health issues and community wellness

Professional master’s vs. research master’s: What's the difference?

Most master's programs focus on one of two paths: academic research or applied, real-world skills for a specific career. Knowing which direction fits your goals can help you choose the right program.

Research master’s degrees:

  • Focus on research methods and academic study

  • Examples: MA, MS

Professional master’s degrees:

  • Build career-ready, applied skills
  • Examples: MBA, MEd, MPH, MSW, MFA

Master’s degree admission requirements

Most master’s programs look for signs that you’re prepared to take the next step in your education or career. The details vary by field, but applying is usually more manageable than people expect.

Common requirements include:


Doctoral degrees: Become an expert in your field

Doctoral degrees are the highest level of graduate study. It shows you’ve reached expert-level knowledge in your field and can contribute new ideas or advanced practice. Doctoral programs go deeper than a master’s degree. Most require several years of study and often include comprehensive exams, a dissertation or capstone project, and hands-on experience such as clinical rotations or applied research.

PhD vs professional doctorates: Research vs. real world practice

PhDs and professional doctorates may look similar on paper—they’re both doctoral-level degrees—but the experience and outcomes are pretty different. 

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Focuses on research

  • Digs deep into theory and research methods

  • Requires a major research project or dissertation

  • Prepares you for roles in academia, research labs, or specialized analysis

  • Examples: PhD in Economics, PhD in Mathematics, PhD in English

Professional doctorates: Focus on practice

  • Built for leadership, applied work, or clinical careers

  • Often swap the dissertation for a capstone, applied project, or residency

  • Lead to careers in fields like education, business, law, or medicine

  • Examples: Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Doctoral degree admission requirements

Admission requirements for doctoral programs vary by field, but most look for strong academic preparation, research potential, and a clear sense of purpose. These programs often require more admission materials than master’s programs because of their academic depth.

Common requirements include:


Professional degrees: Train for a licensed career

Professional degrees train you for a specific, highly skilled job, like a lawyer or physician. These degrees are built to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to step directly into a professional role. Coursework usually includes advanced lectures, labs, seminars, and real-world training.

Professional degree examples:

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) for physicians
  •  Juris Doctor (JD) for lawyers
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) for dentists
  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) for pharmacists
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) for veterinarians
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)  for physical therapists

Professional degree admission requirements

Admission requirements for professional degrees vary by field, but most programs look for strong academic prep, relevant experience, and readiness for intensive training. These programs often have more structured prerequisites than other graduate paths.

Common requirements include:

  • Bachelor’s degree

  • Prerequisite coursework (for example, science for medical programs)

  • Standardized test scores, such as LSAT for law school or MCAT for medical programs 

  • Letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors

  • A personal statement or essay

  • Relevant experience in your field

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Master’s vs. doctorate: Differences in time, research, and outcomes

Choosing between a master’s and a doctorate can feel like a big crossroads—but it's easier once you compare what each path looks like. Think of a master’s as a faster, career-focused boost, while a doctorate is a longer journey into deep research or advanced professional practice.

Master’s degrees:

  • Length: 1–3 years, making them a quicker way to level up

  • Center on coursework, plus a project or thesis that ties everything together

  • Prepare you for specialized roles, new career directions, or leadership at the mid-level

Doctoral degrees:

  • Length: 4–7+ years, depending on field and research scope

  • Focus on original research (PhD) or high-level professional practice

  • Open doors to academia, clinical careers, advanced research, or top-tier leadership

More differences to know:


  • Funding: Many PhD programs offer stipends or tuition support, especially in research-heavy fields.

  • Career paths: Doctorates are often required for university teaching, medical practice, or senior roles where deep expertise is the norm.

Graduate certificates and microcredentials: Upgrade your skills fast

These programs help you build new skills without committing to a full degree. Both let you explore a field, strengthen your resume, or get job-ready quickly—but they work a little differently.

Graduate certificates are for-credit programs from colleges and universities. They include a few graduate courses and may count toward a master’s. You can earn grad certificates in fields like data analytics, design, cybersecurity, project management, and more.

Microcredentials are shorter learning experiences—often one course or a brief skill-focused sequence. They teach specific skills you can use right away, and are offered by universities, employers, industry organizations, and online learning platforms like Coursera.

Find your path: Some popular fields and program examples

Grad school isn’t one-size-fits-all. Programs exist in nearly every field, so it helps to think about what interests you most or where you want your career to grow. Here are some common areas students explore and examples of degrees you might find in each one.

Business

For students interested in leadership, strategy, or analytics.

Engineering

For students who want to solve technical problems or innovate in STEM fields.

  • MS Mechanical Engineering (Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering)

  • MS Electrical Engineering (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering)

  • PhD Engineering (Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering)

Education

For future teachers, school leaders, or education researchers.

  • Master of Education (MEd)

  • Master of Arts in Teaching (MA Teaching)

  • Doctor of Education (EdD)

  • PhD Education (Doctor of Philosophy in Education)

Nursing & health sciences

For students pursuing patient care, healthcare leadership, or public health.

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

  • Master of Public Health (MPH)

  • Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Law & medicine

For students preparing for licensed professional careers.

  • Juris Doctor (JD)

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)

  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

Public health & public policy

For students drawn to systems, communities, and policy change.

  • Master of Public Health (MPH)

  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)

  • Master of Public Administration (MPA)

  • Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Arts & humanities

For creative thinkers, writers, and researchers.

If you're still exploring options, Scout College Search can help you compare graduate programs and find your best match.

 

How to finance any graduate degree

Paying for grad school can feel like a big lift, but there are ways to make it more affordable. The key is to start with free money (or "gift aid") you don’t have to repay, including scholarships, grants, and assistantships and build from there.

Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to cover grad school because 1.) they don’t need to be repaid, and 2.) you can apply for as many as you want. Scholarships for graduate school can be found through your school, academic department, employer, and outside organizations.

Use resources like Scholly Scholarships to find scholarships based on your academic field and interests. Be sure to check out Scholly Easy Apply for a quick way to apply for multiple scholarships and our monthly $2K No Essay Scholarship.

Grants and fellowships

Grants and fellowships are also financial aid that you don’t have to repay. Grants can come from your school, government programs, or nonprofits. They're often need-based, which means you need to file the FAFSA® to qualify.

Graduate fellowships are typically merit-based awards that provide tuition support, a stipend, or research funding. They're are usually awarded for academic excellence, leadership, or potential in a particular field.

Assistantships

These paid positions help cover graduate school costs by letting you work for your department while you earn your degree. You might teach a class, do research or help run a campus office in return for tuition help and a stipend.

Student loans

After you've used all available free aid, student loans can help cover remaining costs. Many students start with federal loans, which may offer more options than private loans—and then use private graduate student loans to fill any gaps in tuition or living expenses.

 

Explore all your grad school options

Understanding the different types of graduate degrees makes the decision process much easier. Whether you’re considering a short certificate, a 1–2 year master’s program, a professional degree, or a long doctoral path, there’s an option that fits your goals and timeline. Give yourself time to explore, ask questions, and choose the route that aligns with your future.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an MBA a graduate degree?

Yes. An MBA is a professional master's degree focused on leadership and applied business skills.

Do I need a master's before a PhD?

Not usually. Many U.S. PhD programs admit students directly from a bachelor’s degree.

What's the difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate?

A PhD centers on original research. Professional doctorates such as Doctor of Education (EdD) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) apply research to real-world challenges.

Are JD and MD degrees considered graduate degrees?

Yes. JD and MD programs are professional graduate degrees that lead to licensure.

 

How can I compare programs?

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