The most common degree for graduate students is a Master's degree. The choices are either Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) but there are many more options from which to choose that lead to specific work-related fields.

Some programs are structured in a way so that the Master's leads to a doctoral degree or are a combination of both earned simultaneously (such as an M.A/J.D program) but the most attractive degrees these days are professional programs that prepare you for a specific type of work.

Some of the more popular ones are a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W). These types of master's degrees are required for many positions in those fields.

In some of the more competitive technical fields, such as computer science, and engineering, a Master's degree may give you a much-needed edge for employment. For teachers, a Master of Education (M.Ed) will translate into higher salaries and positions.

But some Master's are more scholarly in nature and will not necessarily train you for work in any specific field. An M.A. in philosophy, Comparative Literature, English or history will not teach you a "craft" but it will make you more attractive to an employer than would a job candidate with only an undergraduate degree.

These types of master's degree graduates also make good matches for public information jobs in government, and private sector positions in communications-related fields.

Generally it will take a full-time student from one and a half to three years, depending on the program, to complete the work for a master's degree. The academic requirements usually include specific courses in core areas, passing examinations, and a master's thesis (not always required) in order to earn a degree.

Doctoral degrees are the highest degrees attainable and come in two types; a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) is training to become a researcher, and is required if you want to become a college professor. A Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) or Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) may also prepare you for academia.

For those aspiring to do advanced scientific research in fields such as chemistry, engineering, math, or even economics, a Ph.D. is required. For economists and math experts, this level of qualification can translate into big dollars from corporate America or high-level government work.

For specific professions, such as physicians or attorneys, an M.D. and the J.D. (Juris Doctor, the usual law school degree) are required.

The purpose of a Ph.D. program is for scholarly training at the highest levels. Field work, examinations, a thesis and a peer-reviewed dissertation are all requirements.

Working independently for that doctoral dissertation, without the structured classroom environment is sometimes the downfall of students at this level. Those who are best suited are people who are motivated and flourish on their own.

Doctoral requirements differ from program to program but basically require an internal drive and commitment that is unlike any other schooling up to this point. Experts in the field say one of the keys to success is finding a mentor who will work closely with you to write a good dissertation.

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