The past 20 years have seen tremendous growth in the number of master's degrees awarded ' and this trend shows no signs of stopping. According to a report by the Education Advisory Board (EAB), within the next seven years, master's degrees will account for nearly one-third of all postsecondary degrees.But there's a twist: This increase won't come from 'traditional' master's programs. 'The new growth will come primarily from professional master's programs focused on specific job skills that help students gain a new job or advance in an existing position,' the EAB report said, referring to degrees like the Master of Professional Studies (MPS).A different kind of master's degreeHow does an MPS degree differ from a 'traditional' master's degree' The answer speaks to both the types of students who enroll and the type of education they are receiving.First, the students: They are usually 'nontraditional,' meaning not right out of college. They are, on average, a few years older. And perhaps most significantly, they are usually employed while enrolled in their master's program.Most fundamentally, MPS degrees teach students very specific knowledge with the goal of helping them in their current careers, or in a career they are aiming to pursue. Theoretical knowledge taught by more traditional master's programs may be useful, but today's business landscape demands the practical, applicable skills that can immediately be put to use in the workplace.Though all master's degrees help increase a person's ability to advance within his or her career, 'what really sets job seekers apart is having in-depth knowledge that no other candidates have, and that comesfrom the type of skills conferred ina very specialized master's program,' says Lisa Geraci, a senior consultant for EAB. 'It's no longer enough to be just a generalist.'Priming students for successOne of the biggest advantages of degree programs like the MPS is the opportunity toengage with professionals who work in the field, both inside and outside the classroom. There are ample opportunities for networking, internships, and other career advancement benefits. Not only does this make for fascinating class discussions, but it also provides students with established industry contacts.'Our MPS programs incorporate opportunities for students to connect with industry practitioners and expand their networks through real-world client work, case studies, and events with prominent organizations,' says Kelly Otter, Ph.D., dean of Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies, which currently offers 17 MPS degrees.Because most students are working and their time is limited, they need a program that has an accelerated format and flexible class times that can work around their schedules. A well-designed professional degree program 'breaks through the constraints of geography, schedule, age, and academic preparation that have historically and artificially limited the master's degree marketplace,' the EAB report said. 'Freed of these constraints, professional master's programs appeal to the needs of a much larger population.' To learn more about the MPS degrees at Georgetown University, click here.This post is sponsored by Georgetown University.Join the conversation about this story
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