What is a bachelor’s vs. master’s degree? 

When most people think about going to college, they’re usually thinking about the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, rather than a bachelor's vs. master's degree.. A four-year bachelor's program is often a common entry point to a college education, but it’s not the only one. Depending on their goals, students have access to four types of degrees :

• Associate degree
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Doctorate

What are the differences between a bachelor’s vs. master’s degree?A bachelor’s degree is often seen as a next step after high school, as career preparation to enter the workforce. It can equip people with the necessary education and skills for various industries, and it signals to employers that a person is qualified for a role. It also displays a commitment of time and discipline necessary for most jobs.

For those curious about how a bachelor’s degree may be a factor in today’s job market, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2023 recruiting benchmarks report  found 68% of entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree.

In terms of job openings, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree are expected to have 3.3 million openings each year , on average, over the projections decade of 2022 - 2032. Occupations that typically require a master’s degree are projected to have  48,900 openings each year , on average, from 2023 to 2033.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

A master’s degree follows a bachelor’s degree and is a means of furthering one’s knowledge and skills, demonstrating a mastery of a professional practice. This degree may be required for employment in specific industries — like research or teaching — and can help showcase leadership abilities to employers.

These degree paths may seem linear, but it’s not always cut and dry. Some people pursue a second bachelor’s degree, while others may feel they need a master’s for their personal and career goals. For example, suppose someone is entering a profession that requires a certain level of education, trying to earn a promotion or starting a new job. In these cases, it’s important to understand the difference between a bachelor’s vs. master’s degree. 

When considering the differences between a bachelor’s vs. master’s degree, let’s first discuss bachelor’s degrees. A bachelor’s degree  is a four-year program of study through which students develop skills and understanding of their program of choice at a college or university, either online or in person. Many students pursue a bachelor’s degree immediately after high school, but it’s not uncommon for adults to complete a degree later in life.

Bachelor’s programs typically cover the core educational elements of an area of study, giving a working knowledge of many topics. After meeting general education requirements, students move on to advanced courses in their preferred subject areas. In addition, students may also sprinkle in elective courses to expand their knowledge.

Some students may take general education credits they accumulate at one institution (like a community college) and transfer them to another school  to earn their degree. This process can help save money in the long run.

Students often pursue a bachelor’s degree to enhance career opportunities. In 2021, 23.5% of the U.S. population  age 25 or older had a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As noted above, a bachelor’s has become a common requirement by employers for consideration for a number of jobs. 

Within the bachelor’s degree category, students have access to different degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS)  and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). But what are the differences among the three?

One of the most common bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor of Arts generally focuses on a discipline of the arts or humanities. This type of degree program is centered more on each student’s individual exploration of a given subject. 

A Bachelor of Science tends to focus more on science and math than a BA or BFA does. The focus of study generally remains on the specific subjects related to the degree. 

A BFA is similar to a BA but generally focuses on the arts, specifically the performing arts, visual arts and music. These programs tend to emphasize hands-on learning in a studio. 

Admissions requirements for bachelor’s degrees can vary by program. Each bachelor’s degree program generally has its own requirements for completion. These requirements include a mixture of general education and specialized, program-specific courses. Combined, these courses and experiences make up 120 semester credits. 

Bachelor’s programs often take four years to complete, but it is possible to expedite a degree and save money by transferring eligible credits from accredited institutions or applying to see if relevant work and life experience may count as credit toward a degree, reducing the number of courses needed.

One of the biggest benefits of online classes is the ability to schedule courses that fit into a schedule and enable a student to get their degree on time.

A master’s degree is an advanced graduate degree that can be pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree. Earning a master’s degree helps establish expertise in a field and can help prepare graduates to take on more responsibility and pursue leadership positions. 

People pursue master’s degrees for a variety of reasons. Some students are looking to increase their chances of employment or seek more job security. Others would like to switch careers.

Additionally, earning a master’s offers more opportunities to conduct research and contribute to a chosen field. 

There are three types of master’s degrees, which align similarly with the bachelor’s degrees, but the three are not exhaustive. The master’s degree can be tied directly to the subject matter itself, like a Master of Management or Master of Business Administration:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Master’s degree programs often have unique requirements for completion. Unlike bachelor’s degrees, however, there is no general education requirement. Students instead focus on their field of study.

Typically, to enter a master’s degree program, you must have a valid bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university with institutional accreditation (or a comparable degree from an international institution). You must also have a minimum cumulative GPA set by the university. Finally, you must complete all required forms and submit official test scores and transcripts.

A master’s degree tends to be much more rigorous than a bachelor's degree program since it takes an intensive approach to specialized expertise. The length of a master’s degree program typically varies with the institution and subject.

As with a bachelor’s degree, some master’s programs offer ways to save time and money. Competency-based programs in business and nursing, for example, allow professionals with strong work experience to leverage that background in a more self-directed type of environment.

One thing to keep in mind about bachelor’s vs. master’s degrees is that they don’t compete with each other. They’re both steps along an educational journey. University of Phoenix offers a variety of online programs, each with unique benefits and challenges to open different pathways for professional knowledge.

• Online bachelor’s programs 
• Online master’s programs 

Contact University of Phoenix for more information .