Acquiring a postgraduate degree is the surest way to ensure a lucrative career. However, going back to college is a massive commitment. You will need to sacrifice a lot as you sit through classes, submit assignments, and even secure internships before graduating. But the hustle is worth it. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), getting your master’s degree may help you earn a median weekly salary of $1,000.
In addition to enhancing yourself professionally, you also get to polish interpersonal skills such as assertiveness and demonstrate readiness for more responsibility to employers. The only hurdle in your road to success is picking the degree you want.
By exploring the most trending sectors of 2022, you can channel your energy into completing your degree successfully. Here are some master’s degrees worth exploring:
1. Social Work
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers will grow about 12% by 2030. Social work is an expansive field, letting you work in various settings.
As a social worker, you can choose the change you bring to the world. You can work with children, addicts, families by advocating for their rights, connecting them to food stamps, and the like. Your master’s degree will also prepare you to work with clients struggling with mental health issues and even provide counseling services when needed.
You can quickly get your master’s in social work online and fast-track your way into solving community challenges by applying your newfound skills. The degree takes two years to complete, but you can finish it earlier by opting for an accelerated program. However, you will need at least 3,000 supervised clinical hours and get 60 credits as a full-time student.
2. Advanced Practitioner Registered Nurse (APRN)
The pandemic of 2019 highlighted the need for more healthcare professionals, especially nurses. This makes Advanced Practitioner Registered Nursing a popular field today.
APRN is a nursing specialty you can pursue after getting your master’s degree. Once you’re certified, you work in numerous settings, such as a clinical nurse or a nurse-midwife. Your job will revolve around providing primary and secondary health care. You will assist in diagnosing illnesses, weigh in on public health policies, and even help manage chronic diseases.
Becoming an APRN requires multiple steps. You start by becoming a registered nurse, after which you can apply for a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN). From there, you need to complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours before you become eligible for the APRN certification with specialization in a field of your choosing.
3. Computer Science
The 21st century is all about technology. Concepts like machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data science are becoming the new normal. Computer science is an expanding field with a growth rate of over 10% before the decade is over.
Once you choose to get your master’s in computer science, you will study complex topics such as computer networks, programming languages, and artificial intelligence. You will also learn to engineer solutions to common digital problems that improve people’s lives.
After completing your degree, you will be eligible to work as a data scientist or even a cybersecurity specialist. The field requires you to complete at least 30 to 45 credits before getting your master’s. For that, you will need to dedicate two whole years of full-time studying.
However, many online and offline universities offer accelerated programs to finish your course in as little as 18 months. Multinational companies are constantly on the lookout for digital geniuses, so no matter where you are, it will be a win-win situation for you.
4. Statistics
A Master of Science in Statistics (MSS) is an advanced degree in mathematics that works with datasets. This STEM field collects data for analysis and organizes the results into meaningful information, which can be used to craft robust solutions. The field is in demand, with an expected growth rate of 34% by 2026.
Statistics are crucial to many sectors, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and even education. Your degree will give you a hands-on learning experience and proficiency in math, computer software, and exceptional numeracy.
The entire program takes two years of full-time studying with 27 credit hours of coursework plus about 6 hours for the thesis. If you opt to enroll in a non-thesis program, you’ll need about 30 hours of coursework plus three project hours.
5. Speech-Language Pathology
A Master of Science in speech-language pathology will help you learn about communication disorders and prescribe treatments. You may dive into verbal and nonverbal communication, which helps people express themselves without using words. Children on the autistic spectrum will also benefit from your skills. You shouldn’t overlook this field since it has a higher-than-average growth rate of 29% extending well into 2030.
The steps to becoming a professional Speech-Language are extensive but well worth it. The master’s program will take you about three years to complete, and you may need to take other courses if you want to speak more than one language.
You will also need to undergo 400 hours of supervised clinical work with approximately 380 hours dedicated to your patients. You will also need to do a year of clinical fellowship with 1260 hours of professional experience. Once you have these numbers, you can appear for the praxis exam and then apply for your license.
Final Thoughts
2022 is about channeling productivity while dealing with the after-effects of the first wave of the Coronavirus, so now more than ever, there’s a need for professionals with advanced qualifications. Getting a master’s degree can be a great decision for your career. There are numerous options to choose from depending on your area of interest.
Degrees like social work, advanced nursing, computer science, statistics, and speech-language pathology are some of the few trending programs this year. By getting involved in these programs, you will gain skills that will benefit you in the long run. So make sure to take advantage of this moment and take a step towards a prosperous future for yourself.
