What does Master mean? How does a bachelor's degree differ from a master's degree? Higher education

Hello, dear readers of the blog site. Recently, school graduates often have questions about possible options for further education.

If we talk about higher education, then they are faced with such forms of education as: bachelor's, master's, and postgraduate studies.

It’s not so easy to immediately understand what is what and which option is best suited for you. Many people make mistakes when choosing and then regret it.

Therefore, today we will talk about master’s programs, but along the way we will note how it differs from other forms of education and what “chains” of higher education you can build if you wish.

Master's degree is...

Master's degree is the second stage of higher education. It is not mandatory, so many young people start working already at the first academic level.

This leads to a logical question: why study further if it is not necessary? What benefits does studying in a master's program provide and is it worth spending time on? Let's figure it out.

About 10 years ago, Russia signed the Bologna Convention, which provides 2 levels of free education in higher education institutions:

bachelor's degree– students study for 4 years and receive a general knowledge base about the profession;
master's degree– takes 2 years of study, acquire a narrow specialization in the profession.

Thus, we have joined the pan-European training standard, which means that “our” diplomas are practically valid in all foreign countries.

Until this moment, Russian universities produced only specialists who were valued only in our country (these “credentials” were not valid abroad).

Admission to the Master's program

You can become a master's student only after conferring a degree bachelor or specialist.

To do this, you need to pass an interdisciplinary exam in the direction of your chosen profession, and if everything goes well, then over the next 2 years you will personally become familiar with what a master's degree is.

Documentation required upon admission:

Bachelor's degree.
It is important to note here that if you graduated from a specialty, then a master’s degree will be for you paid: in this case it is considered a second higher education, and not a second level.

The master's degree, as a second stage, is intended only for bachelors and only for them it's free(and only for those who studied on a budget), since it is part of free education;
statement;
passport;
medical certificate;
photo.

If you are a former master's student and want to change your special training, you can enroll in the master's program again (of course, on a paid basis). You can submit documents to any university in the Russian Federation, as well as abroad.

Not necessary go to the second stage immediately after the first. Many bachelors first go to work, decide on their specialty until the end, and only after that enter the master’s program.

In some cases, an employer may pay for training: for example, when it sees the employee’s potential and is interested in his professional development.

Another thing is that a master's degree is your personal initiative. Then you are required to be given leave at your own expense to attend lectures, take exams, etc., and do not have the right to fire, according to the law.

Why do you need a master's degree?

Let's face it, bachelors are not particularly valued by employers.

The fact is that for 4 years they are trained in the general profile of the profession. Roughly speaking, they know a lot, but only a little bit. From this side, this is a minus.

However, for the bachelor's graduate himself, this uncertainty can be considered an advantage. It rarely happens that during the learning process a student really understands what exactly he wants to do in the future.

A bachelor's degree gives him this opportunity: to try himself in different areas of the profession before deciding.

The Master's program is intended for those who has already made a conscious choice spheres of work and is designed for in-depth study of the chosen specialization.

After studying for two years, the master can go on to study further - to graduate school and begin a research career.

Bachelor's and Master's degrees - what's the difference?

Point difference:

Bachelor's degree is the first stage, Master's degree is the second. Together they are a two-level system of free education, recognized in European countries;
Bachelor's degree takes 4 years, master's degree takes only two;
a bachelor's degree assumes general knowledge about the profession, a master's degree is someone who knows almost everything within one specialization;
the first stage involves the use of applied knowledge (journalists, economists, psychologists, engineers), the second - for the most part consists of scientific and research work (analytical and teaching activities);
Bachelors are less in demand than Masters;
the starting salary for bachelors is less than for graduates;
Any university produces bachelors; master's qualifications are not available everywhere;
It is several times easier to enter the first stage: the selection for the second is tougher due to the small number of places.

So now you have an idea of what bachelor's and master's degrees are. This knowledge will allow you to make the right choice - to decide on your professional future.

If you are focused on practical work, then the second stage will be for you a waste of time.

But if you dream of studying your activities from the inside, creating something new on an existing basis, passing on your knowledge to others, being the engine of progress - you're on your way to becoming a master's student.

Briefly about degrees of education

There is only 4 degrees of education– specialty, bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate and various training options:

If you initially dream of becoming a doctor of science, then it is better to immediately go to a specialist, and from there to graduate school. Bachelor cannot “leapfrog” a master’s degree.

Good luck to you! See you soon on the pages of the blog site

MASTER

from lat. master - boss, head, teacher) 1. in Ancient Rome, an official; later in Europe the head of some secular and ecclesiastical institutions; 2. an academic degree in a number of countries, average between a bachelor and a doctor of science, is awarded to persons who have graduated from a university (or an equivalent educational institution), have a bachelor’s degree, completed an additional course of study (1-2 years), passed special exams and defended a master’s thesis dissertation. In Russia in the 19th and 20th centuries. was the lowest academic degree, and with the introduction of state exams - the first academic degree; gave the right to occupy a university department and the rank of IX class. In Russia Federation since the early 90s. began to be awarded as an intermediate degree between a bachelor's and a candidate of sciences. - the second academic degree (qualification degree, qualification), which is assigned based on the results of certification to persons who have the first academic degree (qualification, qualification) of a bachelor (or the qualification of a “certified specialist”) and who have successfully completed the corresponding educational programs of higher professional education with a duration of study of at least two years (at least one year for a certified specialist), and gives its holders the right to engage in certain professional (usually research or scientific-pedagogical) activities or enroll in graduate school. (Dictionary of agreed terms and definitions in the field of education of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States. - M., 2004.) - for obtaining a Master's qualification (degree), the period for mastering basic educational programs is set at no less than six years. (Stefanova N.L., Shubina N.L. Master's degree: word and deed. - St. Petersburg, 2002.) See also Bachelor's degree, Final state certification of master's degree, Master's degree (2)7

Bachelor's, specialist's and master's degrees are levels of professional higher education that differ in content and duration of study. To master bachelor's or specialist's programs, you must have a secondary general education, for master's programs - higher education. In the future, the bachelor can continue his studies and obtain a master's degree.

Bachelor's, specialist's and master's degrees as levels of professional higher education

Currently, in the Russian Federation, in particular, the following levels of professional higher education have been established (clauses 2, 3, part 5, article 10 of the Law of December 29, 2012 N 273-FZ):

Bachelor's degree;

Specialty, master's degree.

Moreover, each of the bachelor's, specialist's and master's programs belongs to an independent type of the main professional educational program of higher education. Admission to training is carried out separately for each of these programs (clause “b”, clause 2, part 3, article 12, part 5, article 69 of Law No. 273-FZ).

Persons with appropriate education are allowed to master these programs. Thus, for bachelor’s or specialist’s programs it is necessary to have a secondary general education, for master’s programs - higher education of any level (Parts 2, 3 of Article 69 of Law No. 273-FZ).

Features of specialty, bachelor's and master's degrees

A specialty is an education system familiar to the Russian Federation. Specialists are trained for professional activities in a particular industry. The period for obtaining the first higher education is, as a rule, five years. However, many universities have switched to the Bologna (two-level) education system, which involves the preparation and graduation of bachelors and masters.

A person who intends to obtain his first higher education at a university that has switched to the Bologna education system enters a bachelor's degree program. Subject to successful completion of the final certification, he is awarded the qualification “bachelor” and issued a diploma indicating that he has a higher education (clause 2, part 5, article 10 of Law No. 273-FZ).

Bachelors can continue their studies and obtain a master's degree. It is not necessary to enroll in a master's program at the same university. Admission to master's programs is carried out on a competitive basis based on the results of entrance examinations. Conventionally, a bachelor's degree can be characterized as a basic higher education, and a master's degree as a further specialization (Parts 3, 5, 6 of Article 69 of Law No. 273-FZ).

Unlike bachelor's and specialist's programs, not only universities, but also scientific organizations can carry out training in master's programs (clause 4 of the Procedure, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated April 5, 2017 N 301).

A significant difference between a bachelor, specialist and master is the duration of study, which is established by federal state educational standards. As a rule, to obtain a specialist’s diploma, students study for five years, a bachelor’s diploma for four years, and a master’s diploma for two years (part 4 of article 11 of Law No. 273-FZ; clause 3.3 of the Standard, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated September 12, 2016 N 1173; clause 3.3 of the Standard, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated 08/07/2014 N 943; clause 3.3 of the Standard, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated 08/17/2015 N 827).

Alternative systems

In addition to the considered option, in some places, as, for example, in Germany, there are not one, but two postgraduate levels of education. In Russia, although a course has been taken to bring the structure of higher education in line with the requirements of the Bologna Declaration, the system still remains mixed. Somewhere the European system is used (bachelor's and master's degrees), while in other educational institutions it is inherited from the Soviet Union, with the qualification of certified specialists. The system of postgraduate education, instead of the “Doctor of Philosophy”, includes two ranks:

Candidate of Sciences - awarded by the verdict of the dissertation council and approved by the Higher Attestation Commission;
Doctor of Science - awarded by the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education and Science of the country.

Moreover, to assign these ranks, you must first prepare and defend a dissertation for a doctorate or candidate’s degree. In countries with single-stage postgraduate education there is no analogue to our “Doctor of Science”. Our “PhD” corresponds to, for example, a “Doctor of Philosophy” in the United States or an equivalent title in other countries.

Since 2016, accredited universities and research institutes have appeared in Russia, both metropolitan and regional, with the right to confer academic degrees.

Master's degree

Master's degree is understood as a separate form of education in higher educational institutions, implying that students receive preliminary preparation for further research and teaching activities. A person with a master's degree must have not only thorough scientific knowledge and be able to use the methodology of conducting scientific research. He must also have a comprehensive understanding of how to obtain and apply the information necessary for the field of knowledge being studied.

A master's degree is awarded after completing a two-year course of study. However, it is worth considering the need to first complete a course of study at a university with the status of bachelor (4 years) or specialist (from 5 to 5.5 years). Already on the basis of the education received, you can count on completing a master's course. Moreover, if previously it was acceptable to study for a master’s degree only on the basis of “one’s own” institute, now the opportunities for those wishing to acquire a master’s degree have expanded significantly.

Completing a master's program allows you to gain significant research and teaching practice as part of the learning process, as well as significantly supplement and deepen the knowledge acquired in a bachelor's or specialist's course. In addition, the experience gained during the preparation of a master's thesis can be quite useful during subsequent training - graduate students, future candidates and doctors of science.

Status in Russia

As already mentioned, both educational systems are still present in universities in our country, despite the fact that the system has been reformed since 2003. The following categories are legally approved in Russia:

higher professional, with the assignment of a bachelor's qualification to a successfully certified candidate (at least 4 years of study);
higher professional, with the assignment of a specialist qualification to a successfully certified candidate (at least 5 years of study);
higher professional, with the assignment of a master's qualification to a successfully certified candidate (at least 6 years of study).

Despite the presence in the legally approved structure of the titles “Bachelor” and “Master”, which are considered academic degrees in the countries participating in the Bologna Process, in Russia, from a legal point of view, they have no relation to such, although the name “degree” is present in the laws ( without the definition of “scientist”). In any case, until the recommendations of the Bologna Agreement are followed.

MASTER'S PROGRAM - level of higher professional education

From the history of magistracy

Master's degree as an academic degree

appeared back in 1803 by order

Emperor of Russia Alexander I.

All masters could head the department,

which was a great honor and

highly paid work.

However, with the advent of Soviet power,

namely in 1917, all educational degrees were abolished,

and the education system fell into disrepair for many years.

Officially academic degree "Master"

was restored only in 1993.

What is a master's degree?

MASTER'S PROGRAM - the level of higher professional education, following the bachelor's degree, provides for a deeper mastery of theory and practical preparation of the student for research or professional activities.

This is the second stage of higher education, but to gain access to it you must obtain the first. A person is considered a master after he has completely completed the educational process. Bachelors and people who received a specialty before the Bologna system was introduced can enroll in a master's program for free.

The course of subjects is selected so that the student is maximally immersed in practical and scientific activities. The programs are led by teachers of the highest qualifications, doctors of science.

From the very first semester, each student is assigned a mentor from among them. Under the guidance of a teacher, a person chooses a direction of scientific research and defends a master's thesis.

During the course of training, the student acquires teaching skills and upon completion of the program can work as a teacher.

Why do you need a master's degree?

Many people don’t understand why go to lectures for some more time, if after a bachelor’s degree you can immediately get a job.

A master's degree is necessary for a person to have the right to occupy leadership positions. To get a job in a number of specialties, you also need to obtain a second level of higher education. In addition, you can complete a master’s program in order to receive an education in a specialty other than your originally chosen one.

Do I need to go to a master's program after a bachelor's degree? Each person makes this decision personally. It would be objectively unfair to say that a bachelor’s degree is an inferior education. However, before deciding whether to enroll in a master's program, think about the following opportunities that it provides to a university graduate:

You will be able to occupy leadership positions and work in specialties that require both levels of higher education.
Professional growth will be fast even under conditions of high competition.
You will receive a lot of useful and in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
If you realize that you have chosen your specialization by mistake, then the master's program gives you the right to change it.
The scholarship and other social guarantees (a place in a dormitory, etc.) will be extended for another number of years.
The path to graduate school and teaching will be open to you.
Your diploma is recognized internationally.
You can conduct development and research for your PhD work.

How to apply for a master's degree?

Obtaining a second stage of higher education is possible at least after completing a bachelor's degree.

It will be necessary to pass an oral comprehensive interdisciplinary examination in the field of study. Its content and procedure are determined by each university, so they are different everywhere. The results are assessed on a 100-point scale in accordance with the requirements of the Bologna system. The training lasts two years. You don’t have to enroll right away; first, you can work in your specialty for several years.

To submit documents you must have:

bachelor's, specialist's, master's degrees.
statement,
identification,
medical certificate
4 photos.

To enroll on a budget basis, you need to have either a bachelor's degree or a specialty obtained before the Bologna process.

Master's education may not be related to the last time chosen direction of fundamental training. In the process of obtaining higher education, you can change its direction. You can take any specialty, but practice shows that it is preferable to choose a related one. However, if you are confident that you have the necessary knowledge to pass the entrance exam for a completely different profession, there are no obstacles. A master's degree after a bachelor's degree in another specialty is available at any Russian university and even outside the country.

So! With a master's degree, a person has a wide choice of jobs. A master's degree significantly increases your chances of finding employment in your specialty in analytical and research centers and large corporations. This diploma is a must-have for individuals who plan to subsequently enroll in graduate school or engage in teaching.