What Does MS After Your Name Mean

What Does MS After Your Name Mean Student Resources Careers Print The Meaning of MS After a Name Why You Might Pursue a Master of Science Degree By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 11, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 24, 2020 Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images More in Student Resources Careers APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips College degrees can be confusing  because there are so many acronyms involved. If you meet someone with MS behind their name, it means they have obtained a Master of Science degree. It is a graduate-level degree that falls between a bachelors 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 masters degree is a Master of Arts (MA), which involves study in topics such as English, the fine arts, or history.   A masters degree in psychology, for example, is one step below a doctorate. While many people who earn an MS in psychology choose to pursue a doctorate, you dont necessarily need a masters to  go for a Ph.D. or Psy.D. There are also career opportunities for individuals who choose to stick with an MS.   Why Do People Complete a Masters? In order to get a masters degree, you need  to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill within your chosen field.  Those who obtain a masters in one of the sciences will generally first hold a bachelors degree  in science (BS) before being accepted into a masters program.   In addition, some programs allow students to complete a joint bachelors and masters degree. After completing a masters degree, some will proceed on to a doctoral program. People choose to complete a masters 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 masters.You want to  teach at the college level. What Does It Take to Get an MS? Work towards a masters 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. Generally, it takes about two years to complete a masters degree if you attend classes on a full-time basis.?? However, most students are a bit older than their undergraduate counterparts and may already be in the workforce. Due to this, masters programs tend to be quite flexible and may take longer to complete. Many programs offer online and part-time courses as well as evening and weekend classes. MS in Psychology Typically, a student can choose between an MS or an MA in psychology, depending on your particular interest and career goals. Its 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  experimental, industrial-organizational, forensic, clinical, social, or child psychology.?? Generally, an MS in psychology is for individuals with an interest in the research or scientific side of psychology. It tends to be more oriented toward the study of how the brain works and how that relates to a persons behavior. 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. Though you generally cannot teach at the university level without a doctorate, an MS may be acceptable for teaching psychology in a community college setting.?? 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 youd like to pursue, be sure to check on licensure requirements in your area.?? A Word From Verywell Deciding which degree program to pursue and how far you want to take your education is a big decision. It depends on the final goals you have for your career and this can change over time. Even if you dont get an MS now, you can choose to pursue it later. Speaking with your academic advisor can clarify your options and help you take the next step.