Walden University Networks Degree

"The following information discusses Master's Degrees in general. Not all schools will offer all of the different types of master's degrees. Please use the navigation menu and click on the link of the school in order to see which specific programs they have."

General Information

A master's degree is an academic degree usually awarded for completion of a postgraduate or graduate course of one to three years in duration. In the United Kingdom it is sometimes awarded for an undergraduate course whose final year consists of higher-level courses and a major research project. In the recent standardized European system of higher education diplomas, it corresponds to a two-year graduate program to be entered after three years of undergraduate studies and in preparation for either high-qualification employment or for doctoral studies.

Types of Masters Degrees

MA, MS

The Master of Arts (Magister Artium) and Master of Science (Magister Scientiae) degrees are the basic type in most subjects and may be entirely course-based, entirely research-based or a mixture. The master's degree is intermediate between a bachelor's degree and a doctorate. In some fields or graduate programs, one customarily earns a master's before a doctorate; in others, work on a doctorate begins immediately after the bachelor's degree. Some programs provide for a joint bachelor's and master's degree after about five years.

Professional Masters Degrees

Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Public Administration (MPA), are professional degrees focusing in management for the private and public sector.

MASc, MEng

The Master of Engineering degree is awarded to students who have done graduate work at the masters level in the field of engineering. While in the United States, candidates in engineering are typically awarded MS degrees, in the U.K. and Canada, they are generally given MSc or MEng degrees.

MEd

Master of Education degrees are similar to MA, MS, and MSc where the subject studied is education.

In the United States some states license teachers with a bachelor's degree but require a master's within a set number of years as continuing education.

MAT

Coursework and practica leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is intended to prepare individuals for a teaching career in a specific subject of middle and/or secondary-level curricula (i.e., middle or high school). The MAT differs from the MEd degree in that the course requirements are dominated by classes in the subject area to be taught (e.g., foreign language, math, science, etc.) rather than educational theory. Work toward most MAT degrees will, however, necessarily include classes on educational theory in order to meet program and state requirements. Work toward the MAT degree may also include practica (i.e., student teaching).

MFA

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a two to three year terminal degree in a creative field of study such as theatre arts, creative writing, filmmaking or studio art.

MPhil and MRes

A Master of Philosophy or Magister Philosophiae (MPhil) is a research degree awarded for the completion of a thesis. It is a shorter version of the Ph.D. and some universities routinely enter potential PhD students into the MPhil programme and allow them to upgrade to the full PhD programme a year or two into the course. The Master of Research degree is a more structured and organised version of the MPhil, usually designed to prepare a student for a career in research. For example, an MRes may combine individual research with periods of work placement in research establisments.

Featured Programs [3]

M.S. in Computer Engineering / Networks Specialization Degree

Walden University The M.S. in Computer Engineering program prepares students to work in the dynamic and rapidly expanding field of digital technology. Courses focus on developing students� knowledge and skills in the design and implementation of computers and computer systems, the integration of computers into larger systems, and the application of digital solutions to a broad range of engineering...

M.S. in Computer Science / Networking Specialization Degree

Walden University Computer networks are such an integral element of the information economy that most businesses would be unable to function without them. The Networks specialization focuses on the design and performance of computer networks and the principles and techniques used to provide secure transmission of data and to ensure the security of computers connected to networks.

M.S. in Computer Science / Secure Computing Specialization Degree

Walden University Computers and networks resistant to unauthorized intrusion or sabotage can be obtained only if security is made an inherent part of their design and construction. The Secure Computing specialization educates students on possible security imperfections in computers and networks and the principles and techniques used in building software that is inherently resistant to interference in its...