What Do MS Credentials Mean?

College degrees can be confusing because there are so many acronyms involved. If you meet someone with MS credentials behind their name, it means they have obtained a Master of Science degree. It is a graduate-level degree that falls between a bachelor's and a doctorate.

As you might expect, this degree involves study in an area related to the sciences, such as chemistry, biology, or engineering. Another type of master's degree is a Master of Arts (MA), which involves the study of topics such as English, the fine arts, or history. 

A master's degree in psychology, for example, is one step below a doctorate. While many people who earn MS credentials in psychology choose to pursue a doctorate, you don't necessarily need a master's to go for a PhD or PsyD. There are also career opportunities for individuals who choose to stick with an MS. 

Why Do People Earn MS Credentials?

In order to get a master's degree, you need to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill within your chosen field. Those who obtain a master's in one of the sciences will generally first hold a bachelor's degree in science (BS) before being accepted into a master's program. 

In addition, some programs allow students to complete a joint bachelor's and master's degree. After completing a master's degree, some will proceed on to a doctoral program.

People choose to complete a master's degree for many reasons. You might decide to pursue one if:

• You have a passion for that field of study.
• You are looking for career advancement.
• You have a desire to participate in research.
• You want to change to a different field of study.
• You are interested in networking opportunities.
• You have a desire for a greater challenge.
• Your job requirements or goals depend on a master's.
• You want to teach at the college level.

What Does It Take to Get MS Credentials?

Work towards a master's degree may involve coursework or research alone or a combination of the two. Often, it involves writing and defending a thesis or doing some sort of research project. These are intended to be a representation of everything you learned in the program.

However, most students are a bit older than their undergraduate counterparts and may already be in the workforce. Due to this, master's programs tend to be quite flexible and may take longer to complete.

Programs also differ in terms of their requirements for graduation. Some programs require students to complete a thesis, while others may also offer a non-thesis option. The thesis option is often a good idea if you plan on pursuing a doctorate in your chosen subject area.

MS in Psychology

Typically, a student can choose between an MS or an MA in psychology, depending on your particular interest and career goals. It's more common for people to pursue a doctorate if they have an MS in psychology rather than an MA. With either degree, students can choose to focus on a specific area, such as:

• Experimental psychology
• Industrial-organizational psychology
• Forensic psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Social psychology
• Child psychology

Careers With an MS in Psychology

There are many career paths available with an MS in psychology. It often leads to employment with the government or for businesses. The scope can include clinical research, data collection or analysis, consulting, or market research.

An MS in counseling is also available and can have its own specialty. For example, you can choose to focus on substance abuse or mental health. You might also choose to work in family therapy or school counseling.

A license is often required to work with patients. It varies from one state to another in the U.S., though most require you to go through an accredited school and some require a doctorate. If this is a path you'd like to pursue, be sure to check on licensure requirements in your area.