Master's Degree Ideas for Making a Career Change

Is This Career Change Right for Me? A worldwide emphasis on cybersecurity has led to impressive job growth for professions related to this field. For instance, jobs for information security analysts are expected to increase 28% through 2026. These professionals earn a median annual salary that exceeds $95,000. Computer and information systems managers also have above-average projected job growth, and the median salary for these professionals is nearly $140,000 per year. Although a bachelor's degree is usually sufficient for either occupation, a master's in information systems security can help job candidates stand out from their competitors.

An online information systems security master's program is optimal for working students. Full-time learners typically complete their degree requirements within 12 to 18 months, allowing them to begin their career transition in as little as two years. Programs may admit candidates with a bachelor's regardless of their undergraduate major, and some do not require GRE or GMAT scores.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? Social work can be a very rewarding career field. Social workers assist people with various needs, including job counseling, childcare services, or mental health and substance abuse counseling. Those who earn a master's degree in social work are qualified to become clinical social workers who diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. The BLS notes that the job growth outlook for clinical social workers is particularly strong, and social workers employed in clinical and medical settings earn the highest median annual salaries.

A master's in social work is ideal for those seeking a complete departure from their current occupation. Most social work master's programs do not require a bachelor's in social work for admission, and most undergraduate fields are acceptable -- particularly those grounded in the social sciences. To become licensed, students must complete two years of supervised clinical training after graduation. This period can help them adapt to the demands and challenges of their new profession before obtaining a license, and help them decide whether the clinical or non-clinical pathway is their best option.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? Occupational therapists assist people whose lives have been disrupted by illness, injury, or disability. They help patients create long-term treatment plans that incorporate therapeutic exercises and activities into their daily routines. Occupational therapists play a valuable role in the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, and other common conditions. As a result, these occupations are in exceptionally high demand. The BLS estimates that jobs for occupational therapists will rise 24% through 2026, resulting in roughly 31,000 new positions. The median salary for occupational therapists is more than $83,000 per year.

To become a licensed occupational therapist, candidates must first complete an accredited master's program. Programs may not require a bachelor's in occupational therapy, but coursework or work experience in fields such as biology and physiology can increase one's odds of admission. Additional postgraduate fieldwork is necessary for occupational therapy licensure, which is required in all 50 states.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? Dietitians and nutritionists are niche occupational roles within the health education and promotion field. These professionals meet with patients to discuss the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and food-based methods for achieving health and fitness goals. Most dietitians and nutritionists have a bachelor's degree, but a growing number are entering the workforce with graduate credentials, and a master's can help candidates compete for desirable jobs. Jobs for dietitians and nutritionists are expected to climb by 15% through 2026. This above-average demand is due, in part, to a nationwide emphasis on obesity prevention.

According to U.S. News & World Report, most master's in nutrition programs admit applicants with a bachelor's degree regardless of their undergraduate major, provided they have taken courses in areas such as chemistry and human anatomy. Some schools allow master's in nutrition students to complete prerequisite courses while working toward their graduate degree, which allows them to graduate more quickly. Licensing requirements for dietitians and nutritionists vary by state, but many employers prefer candidates with the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential in addition to an educational background.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? The field of marketing includes some high-paying occupations with strong projected job growth. Marketing managers earn median salaries of more than $132,000 per year, according to the BLS, and the job outlook for marketing and advertising managers -- particularly those with digital expertise -- is faster than average. Careers in market research analysis, on the other hand, are expected to grow 23% through 2026. Most entry-level jobs in marketing do not require a master's, but candidates with a graduate degree are often considered for advanced leadership or research positions.

Master's in marketing degrees typically require a bachelor's for admission, but many programs accept applicants with non-related undergraduate majors. Online marketing master's programs are generally flexible, allowing most students to complete their required courses in one to two years. As noted by U.S. News & World Report, the marketing master's online is also less expensive compared to many online MBA pathways.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? Project management has become a popular field of study in recent years. With positions available across a range of industries, project managers are responsible for planning, budgeting, and delegating responsibilities for short- and long-term projects. According to U.S. News & World Report, some of the most common career fields for project managers include construction, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and engineering. A 2017 salary survey from the Project Management Institute notes that the United States boasts the second-highest median salary for project managers in the world at $112,000 per year.

Project manager roles generally require a bachelor's degree, but a master's may be preferable due to stiff competition in the job market. Master's in project management programs will usually admit applicants with a bachelor's degree in any field, and most do not have any previous work requirements. Additionally, some schools will waive GRE and GMAT score requirements for candidates with a high undergraduate GPA.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? The master's in public health, or MPH, is one of the most versatile graduate degrees available. Those who enter the workforce with an MPH can choose from fields such as epidemiology, where a master's degree is the minimum requirement. In many other occupations in this field, such as health education or environmental science, holding a graduate degree often leads to career advancement. As federal, state, and local governments continue to prioritize health promotion and medical research, demand for these and other related professions is predicted to remain steady in the coming years.

U.S. News & World Report notes that MPH programs typically offer multiple specializations, allowing students to concentrate on specific areas of the field related to their future career plans. Many schools offer online, accelerated MPH programs that can be completed in as little as 14 to 18 months, making them ideal for working students. In most cases, any bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is sufficient for admission into an MPH program.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? Public relations, or PR, is a suitable field for career changers with writing, editing, and social media skills. Many entry-level PR roles are available to candidates with a bachelor's degree, but managerial positions are often awarded to those with a master's. Public relations managers oversee the creation and publication of materials that generate a favorable public image for their firm's clients. These important roles are considered in high demand. As such, public relations managers earn a median salary of more than $110,000 per year, and the job growth outlook for this profession is strong.

According to U.S. News & World Report, students can usually earn a master's in public relations within one to two years of full-time study. Most schools admit applicants with a bachelor's degree regardless of their undergraduate major, and previous work experience is normally not required. Online PR master's programs may be most suitable for students who plan to continue working while they earn their degree. Online PR pathways are also relatively inexpensive, with most programs priced at less than $30,000.

Is This Career Change Right for Me? Finance is an excellent potential field for career changers. Median annual salaries are high, projected job growth is strong, and those who earn a master's degree are well-positioned for advanced positions. U.S. News & World Report notes that most master's in finance programs will admit applicants with a bachelor's degree in any field, though candidates with previous coursework in related subjects may receive preference. Full-time students usually earn their finance master's within one to two years.

Graduates with their master's degree in finance can choose from a wide range of careers in the field. Personal financial advisers meet with individual clients to discuss topics such as investments, taxes, retirement, and estate planning. Other occupations, such as financial analysts and financial examiners, involve extensive research of market activities, laws, and trends. The master's in finance is also suitable for aspiring financial managers, as many employers prefer candidates with a graduate degree for these roles. According to the BLS, all of these professions are associated with above-average earnings and high job growth in the coming years.