A master’s degree is evidence of your in-depth knowledge and passion for learning and can also be a stepping stone toward a brighter future. Whether you intend to further your education or lead a team with purpose, your master’s degree program can provide you with the skills required to succeed. 

Consider these 10 reasons to get a master’s degree:

The most important reason to attain your master’s degree is knowledge. A master’s degree program can help you pursue a passion or expand your knowledge of a specific field. It can help you hone existing skills and delve more deeply into topics that interest you. That solid knowledge base can also raise your professional profile.

From their learning management systems to the tools they require for reading, writing, and presenting, master’s degree programs require you to get up to speed on modern technology. And while there may be a learning curve if you’ve been out of school for a while, adapting to new technology can prove invaluable in the workplace.

3. Master’s Degree Programs Sharpen Soft Skills

As you answer professor prompts, interact in the classroom, and work on group projects, you learn essential skills that can transfer to almost any career. Among the skills you may be able to improve in your program are:

• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Independence
• Leadership
• Project Management
• Time Management

Whether you seek a leadership role at your current organization, plan to embark on a new path, or set out on an entrepreneurial adventure, a master’s degree can be a differentiator. It proves your knowledge depth and allows you to connect what you learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios. Being in an engaged learning community can also expand your networking opportunities with peers and faculty, connecting you to career and professional opportunities.

5. Master’s Degree Graduates are in Demand

Many positions that once required only a bachelor’s degree now require a master’s degree. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs that require a master’s degree for entry-level employment are growing. It expects employment in master’s-level occupations to grow faster than any other education level. 

Just as college graduates earn more than high school graduates, you’re likely to earn a higher salary with a master’s degree. Employees with a master’s degree earn 17 percent more than those who only have a bachelor’s degree.

Especially in a global job market, your credentials matter. You’re no longer competing with the person the next town over. If you stand side-by-side with another job candidate and you have a master’s degree and they do not, you rise to the top. You can highlight it on your resume, LinkedIn, and on your company website. It adds credibility to your business portfolio and raises your stature in the community.

More than half of Fortune 100 CEOs have a graduate degree. While an advanced degree doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the C-suite, the skills you acquire in your program can truly be a game-changer. Organizational development, strategy, analytics, ethics, project management, and other master’s level courses are designed to prepare you for leadership roles.

Just as your bachelor’s degree built the foundation for your master’s degree, the master’s degree prepares you for a doctorate. Especially if you work in a mission-driven field such as healthcare or education, a Ph.D. or another doctorate degree elevates all you do and say.

A master’s degree tells others that you set a goal, worked hard, and succeeded in a specific area of study. And you can prove the assumed knowledge by how you act, lead, and inspire.

Are you ready to pursue your master’s degree? Be sure to choose one that fits your future plans and is also accessible and affordable. The master’s degree programs at Claremont Lincoln University are all under $20,000 and are fully online. We also have a generous transfer policy so you may be eligible to transfer previous college and life experience. Find out more. 

For more information, contact Chris Mayweather at admission@claremontlincoln.edu.