Some graduate degrees are academic and others are professional in orientation.  Academic degrees focus on original research, whereas professional degrees stress the practical application of knowledge and skills for a particular profession. Master’s degrees may take one to three years to earn, and doctorates generally take five to eight years to complete.  Those who intend to pursue doctorates may elect to earn a master’s degree first, then proceed to select a different university, or somewhat different program of study, for their doctoral work.

 

For many fields, the master’s may be the only professional degree needed for employment; examples are Master of Business Administration, the Master of Social Work, and the Master of Fine Arts. For others careers, the doctorate is necessary for practicing in the field; such degrees are the Doctor of Medicine, the  Juris Doctor, and for college teaching in specific discipline, the Doctor of Philosophy.

 

                                                                _{Job Choices Diversity Edition  2006}