Should I Get a Master's Degree? 6 In-Demand Jobs That Require More Than a Bachelor's

Earning a master's degree offers a variety of benefits, including increased salary, expert knowledge, credibility in your field, and better opportunities for professional advancement. Read this guide to explore master's-level jobs and get an answer to the question: "Should I get a master's degree?"

6 jobs in high demand that require a master's degree

When deciding whether to get a master's degree, knowing the types of jobs available for people who hold one is helpful. Six exciting careers that require a master's degree include:

1. Computer and information research scientist

Median annual salary: $140,910 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [1]

A computer and information research scientist uses computer science expertise to improve technology. Common duties in this position might include:

• Assessing current technology in the workplace to determine computing/system needs

• Finding new ways to use existing technology

• Creating and maintaining new computer programs

• Using data science and machine learning methods to test software systems

• Publishing research papers and presenting findings in the workplace and at conferences

Characteristics that benefit this role: You might be a good fit for this role if you think logically, pay attention to detail, and have good problem-solving, math, and communication skills. As a computer and information research scientist, you can work in various industries, including engineering, gaming, government, health care, life sciences, and tech.

How to get the job: A computer and information research scientist position typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science and a master's degree or PhD in computer science or management information systems. 

2. Epidemiologist

Median annual salary: $83,980 [2]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 19 percent [2]

An epidemiologist collects and studies data to understand why diseases and injuries occur within communities and investigates ways to prevent their recurrence. Common duties in this position might include:

• Collaborating with other public health officials

• Using surveys, interviews, and medical samples to analyze the causes of disease

• Researching to determine why disease and injury occurred

• Writing and submitting grant proposals to gain funding for research

• Communicating the results of research to employers, the press, and the public

Characteristics that benefit this role: You might be a good fit for epidemiology if you can think critically and have good math, problem-solving, and communication skills.

How to get the job: To become an epidemiologist, you'll need a bachelor's degree in a field like biology, public health, or social science and a master's degree or PhD in epidemiology. As an alternative, some epidemiologists pursue a master's degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology. 

3. Marriage and family therapist

Median annual salary: $63,780 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 16 percent [3]

A marriage and family therapist uses a systems-oriented therapeutic approach to help individuals, couples, and families work through various problems and strengthen relationships. Common duties in this position might include:

• Evaluating clients to identify their needs

• Creating and following a treatment plan for clients

• Creating and maintaining confidential client case files

• Asking questions to help clients share feelings and emotions, and gain new insights

• Recommending professionals, community services, and other resources if needed

Characteristics that benefit this role: You might be a good fit for marriage and family therapy if you're caring, enjoy talking to others, and have superior listening skills.

How to get the job: A marriage and family therapist position requires a bachelor's degree in a field like communications or psychology and at least a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, and some positions may require a doctorate. To become a marriage and family therapist, you must complete a practicum and an internship or externship and then get a license to practice in all 50 states.

What master’s degree should I get to become a therapist?

Some common master’s degrees for therapists include social work or psychology, such as a Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Psychology, or a Master of Arts in Psychology. When you go to select a master’s degree as an aspiring therapist, it’s important that you’ve decided on the field of therapy you’d like to pursue. 

4. Nurse practitioner

Median annual salary: $132,050 [4]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 40 percent [4]

Overseen by a practicing physician, as a nurse practitioner (NP), you consult with patients, give a diagnosis for mild conditions, and provide proper treatment. Common duties in this position might include:

• Taking a medical history of the patient

• Asking the patient questions to make a diagnosis

• Conducting a physical exam

• Creating a treatment plan for the patient

• Prescribing or dispensing medication and medical advice

Characteristics that benefit this role: You might be a good fit in an NP role if you're caring, you have empathy for others, you pay attention to detail, and you're a good communicator. Depending on your interests, you can become a nurse practitioner in various fields, including acute care, gerontology, pediatrics, psychiatry, or women's health. 

How to get the job: To become an NP, you need a bachelor's degree in nursing, and you need to complete a master's or doctoral program with an NP focus. You must also pass a national certification exam and get an RN license.

5. Social worker

Median annual salary: $61,330 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent [5]

A social worker uses counseling, guidance, and advocacy to help people or groups cope with various problems. Common duties in this position might include:

• Identifying vulnerable people or groups and assessing their needs

• Creating plans to help people or groups

• Locating community resources and services that may help clients, like food vouchers

• Providing emergency response for child abuse, domestic abuse, or mental health issues

• Creating and maintaining confidential case files

Characteristics that benefit this role: You might be a good fit for social work if you enjoy working with a particular group, like at-risk youth, families, or aging individuals. Good qualities to have for this line of work include compassion for other people and good problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

How to get the job: A position in social work typically requires a bachelor's in social work or a related field like public policy and social services, psychology, or sociology. Becoming a clinical social worker (someone who focuses on people with behavioral or mental health problems) requires a master's in social work, completion of a supervised practicum, and a license to practice in most states.

6. Statistician

Median annual salary: $104,350 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 11 percent [6]

A statistician collects and analyzes data to identify trends to help solve problems and improve decision-making. Common duties in this position might include:

• Determining the types of data needed for collection and analysis

• Developing methods for data collection, like experiments, interviews, polls, and surveys

• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends within data sets

• Creating statistical models for data analysis

• Interpreting data and communicating results to employers and other audiences

Characteristics that benefit this role: You might be a good fit for a statistician job if you're proficient in math and computer science, you think analytically, you have good research skills, and you're a good communicator.

How to get the job: To become a statistician, it is beneficial to focus on math as much as possible in high school. In college, you will typically need a bachelor's degree and, for most jobs, a master's degree in data analytics or a related field. Statisticians can work in various industries, including education, government, health care, research and development (R&D), and marketing and sales.

How should I get a master's degree? Explore your options on Coursera

If you're interested in getting a master's degree from the comfort of your own home, explore opportunities available on Coursera. You'll find programs from top colleges and universities in several fields. Examples include a Master of Business Administration (iMBA) from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Data Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.