Professional vs. Research Master’s Degrees: What You Need to Know

When it comes to pursuing a graduate degree, you may find yourself wondering whether you should choose a research master’s or a professional master’s. While the two share some similarities, there are also key differences, from program length and learning format to course content, assessment methods, and even the application process.

We worked with Clarkson University in the United States to help break down what you need to know about these two options.

What You Study and How You Study

It is important to ask yourself what you want from your master’s experience and why you want to study for a master’s degree in the first place. Looking back on your undergraduate studies, did you enjoy having a fixed schedule? Or did you prefer the freedom to work on your capstone project or thesis? Are you looking for an academic challenge, or do you want to strengthen your career prospects? These are the questions that can help you make your final decision.

Here are the details you can expect.

Professional Master’s Degrees

Professional master’s degrees are ideal for students who want to advance in a particular field or gain new skills. In general, they are more course-based and more structured, with a schedule of lectures, seminars, and laboratory classes built around a set number of core modules and electives. Most professional master’s programs assess students throughout the year through assigned work, group projects, presentations, and exams.

Many professional master’s programs conclude with a major project similar to a dissertation, but applied rather than theoretical in nature. Others end with a comprehensive examination, while some are entirely course-based, with students graduating once they have completed all requirements.

If you want to work toward a specific career and build a broader set of skills, a professional master’s degree is usually the best choice. You may also want to pursue one if you want to broaden your knowledge of a particular subject for personal development and interest.

For Ryan Coleman, the Master of Science in Engineering and Management Systems at Clarkson University was an "easy decision."

"I wanted to soak up as much classroom education as possible for my degree, so when I was told I could choose between doing research and taking additional classes, it was an obvious choice," Ryan said.

Research Master’s Degrees

A research master’s degree is a research-based advanced degree with a strong emphasis on self-directed work. You should be prepared to study independently and have a strong sense of discipline, because there may be few scheduled classes, or none at all, since your time will be spent on a major project. For an extended research project, you will be assigned a suitable supervisor who can provide guidance and support.

If you have a strong interest in broad academic research, want to develop your research skills, and ultimately narrow your focus to a more specialized area of study, a research master’s degree is ideal.

That is what Joshua Fontana realized after completing an internship at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory in 2017.

"I had planned to do a master’s degree, but I didn’t know when, or in what field, until I came back from my internship. After learning more about optimization and how computers can be used to fine-tune and maximize design efficiency, I was hooked," said the Clarkson University mechanical engineering graduate.

"I knew then that I wanted to go straight into my master’s after undergrad, and I wanted to do research in optimization. The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University gave me that opportunity," he said.

Because research master’s degrees focus more heavily on research, they are often seen as a better fit for people who want to build a career in academia or continue on to a PhD.

After completing his research master’s, Joshua reconsidered the idea of pursuing a doctorate, something he had not thought about when he finished his undergraduate degree.

"I thought, ‘Maybe I want to get a PhD and become a professor,’ but the idea of actually doing a PhD seemed far away and almost impossible," Joshua said. "I did think that a research master’s would give me a better chance of getting into a PhD program than a professional master’s, but I wasn’t planning to do a PhD at the time [during my undergraduate studies]."

Fast forward to today, and Joshua is currently completing his PhD in mechanical engineering.

The Application Process

Like the course content and format, the application process for the two types of master’s degrees is also similar in some respects, and you should pay close attention. For example, at Clarkson University, a résumé is required for all applications.

"They [résumés] provide a great opportunity to present the admissions committee with relevant information that may not appear elsewhere in the application materials," said Colleen Thapalia, Senior Associate Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Marketing at Clarkson University.

"If you are a research-oriented applicant, your résumé should include any articles you have published, even if they appeared in a student magazine," she explained. "Similarly, mention any research papers you have written. Do you have teaching experience? Put that on your résumé so you can position yourself as a strong candidate for a teaching assistant role."

But what if you are applying for a professional master’s degree?

"Include all work experience on your résumé," Colleen said. "That can include student internships if they are significant, especially if you have not yet finished your bachelor’s degree or have only recently graduated.

"Activities or achievements in professional organizations can help applicants stand out from the crowd," she added.

Looking Ahead

As mentioned earlier, a professional master’s may be a better fit for someone with a specific career path in mind, while a research master’s provides a strong foundation if you want to pursue research-based work.

Joshua is currently working toward his PhD, but he hopes to be involved in engineering software development and would prefer to work for a company where he can "see the real benefit the product brings to society."

That does not mean a career in academia is not an option. "I think I would enjoy teaching and research, but the competition is intense, and the workweeks in that kind of career are long.

"I’ll have to see what opportunities are available when I graduate, but those are my thoughts right now."

After completing his master’s in engineering and management systems, Ryan plans to continue working as an engineer at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory. However, there is always the possibility of exploring other paths where a master’s degree can be an advantage.

If you are struggling to choose between one master’s program and another, do not be discouraged. It is important to remember that a professional master’s does not mean you cannot go on to a PhD if that is what you want, and a research master’s does not mean you cannot pursue a career outside academia. To find out what you can do after completing your master’s degree, visit the careers section of a university website for more information, or contact the admissions office for further advice and support.