A master's degree offers numerous benefits, attracting professionals from various fields. Medical professionals, such as plastic surgeons and midwives, pursue master's degrees to advance their knowledge and skills in their respective specialties (Elmorsi et al., 2022; Farley & Carr, 2003). Similarly, nursing professionals seek master's degrees to enhance their knowledge production and address industry challenges (Munari et al., 2014). Moreover, mid-career professionals, such as army officers, consider pursuing master's degrees to make informed decisions about their career advancement (Vance, 2015). Additionally, influential factors, including economic and geographical aspects, drive undergraduate students to pursue master's degrees (Nordin et al., 2021).
These references collectively highlight the diverse motivations for pursuing master's degrees, ranging from career advancement to knowledge production and addressing industry challenges. Individual career goals, industry demands, and the desire for personal and professional development influence pursuing a master's degree. As such, the decision to pursue a master's degree is shaped by personal, professional, and academic factors.
Overall, the pursuit of a master's degree is driven by a variety of factors, including career advancement, knowledge enhancement, and addressing industry challenges, reflecting the diverse motivations and benefits associated with obtaining a master's degree.
References:
- Elmorsi, R., Asaad, M., Badawi, O., Mahapure, K., Selber, J., Clemens, M., … & Butler, C. (2022). Master's degrees among academic plastic surgeons and plastic surgery residents. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 89(5), 478-486. https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000003295
- Farley, C. and Carr, K. (2003). New directions in midwifery education: the master's of science in midwifery degree. Journal of Midwifery & Women S Health, 48(2), 133-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1526-9523(02)00423-3
- Munari, D., Parada, C., Gelbcke, F., Silvino, Z., Ribeiro, L., & Scochi, C. (2014). Professional master's degree in nursing: knowledge production and challenges. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 22(2), 204-210. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.3242.2403
- Nordin, N., Sobri, N., Ismail, N., Jalal, T., Ibrahim, S., Anuar, W., … & Ibrahim, S. (2021). Modelling influential factors to pursue master’s degree under graduates students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i9/11811
- Vance, C. (2015). Decision-making considerations for mid-career army officers to pursue master’s degrees. Adult Learning, 26(3), 109-115. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045159515583260