The United States is a country that combines diverse geography and culture with a reputation for academic excellence, making it a leading destination for students pursuing master’s degrees. It's a melting pot of ethnicities, nationalities, races, classes, and opinions, and with a large number of foreign students enrolled in masters degree programs all over the country, the USA is a wonderful place to further your education. No matter what program of study interests you, you’re sure to find something to meet your needs. The USA is particularly well-known for a large number of non-traditional options for pursuing a master’s degree, such as part-time studies, online programs, and distance learning options.
The US higher education system uses the traditional three tiers – bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. Although most master’s degrees fall into the category of Master of Arts, Master of Science, or Master of Business Administration, many specialty degrees exist as well.
Admission to a master’s program varies widely. Some programs will accept students with as little as an application and transcript, while other programs require letters of recommendation and exams such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Non-native English speakers may also be required to demonstrate English proficiency via an accredited English language test like TOEFL. Be sure to check the specific requirements for each school and plan ahead to take exams if needed.
Tuition and fees vary widely for different programs depending upon the type of school (public or private), program of study, and the student’s state of residence or nationality. Students who are US citizens and residents of a specific state will receive the lowest tuition rates for public institutions in that state (in-state tuition). US citizens who are residents of another state and international students will pay the highest rates (out-of-state tuition). Typical in-state tuition is about $12,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition is about $30,000. Private schools also typically charge around $30,000 per year. However, scholarships, grants and loans are widely available to help defray costs. Master’s programs are usually one to two years long and most combine coursework with a research project. Some technical master’s programs require a research thesis that must be publically defended.
More than 750,000 international students attend universities and other higher education institutes in USA each year. In addition to offering high quality master’s degrees in virtually every subject imaginable, studying in USA also offers cultural opportunities and provides non-native English-speaking students with additional language experience.
Whether students want to remain in USA when they complete their studies or look for opportunities in other countries, they will find that employers understand the value of a master’s degree from a US school. Those wanting to remain in USA will find many employment opportunities in a wide variety of industries including aerospace, banking, software and education.
Take the first step now towards a masters degree in USA your new education adventure by browsing the programs below. Search on specific criteria if you already know what you want, and contact specific universities to receive additional information.
The Rady School is in a unique position to offer a Master of Finance that emphasizes quantitative methods, empirical work, and financial econometrics. UC San Diego has a rich tradition in empirical and theoretical econometrics. Some of the most widely-used empirical models developed from the research of UC San Diego faculty. The emphasis on rigorous empirical data-driven methods differentiates the Rady School's Master of Finance from programs specializing in financial engineering. [+]
The Master of Arts in Human Resources and Industrial Relations is widely considered to be one of the top programs of its kind in the nation and is available through a full-time or part-time option. Taught by world-renowned faculty, the curriculum gives students a thorough understanding of contemporary HR practices and the underlying theories that are necessary for successful careers in the field. [+]
The Master’s in Marketing gives you a comprehensive look into consumer-decision making and strategic processes that prepare you for a successful career in marketing. Our specialized concentrations in Digital Marketing, International Business, Marketing Analytics, and Marketing Management let you tailor your studies to your professional goals. [+]
The Cameron School of Business (CSB) helps students reach success with flexible programs. We accommodate working professionals with our class offerings. The small class environment coupled with access to Houston’s business community provides a unique liberal arts focus. [+]
This program is designed for students interested in working in international sport, either outside of the United States or with international sports organizations within in the United States, and who are interested in taking classes on campus in a traditional classroom setting. [+]
The Rutgers Business School Master of Science in Business of Fashion is a cutting-edge program that will prepare you for a thrilling business career in the fashion industry. Bridging the gap between creative passion and business acumen, our program will provide you with the knowledge you need to position yourself to be a key player in the industry—all in a location that is just minutes away from the fashion center of the world, New York City. [+]
The Master of Accountancy program at the Daniels School of Accountancy provides rigorous training in accounting fundamentals with specialties in business valuation, assurance, taxation or information analytics. [+]
Conflict is a normal part of our lives, and it exists everywhere. It is also one of the greatest barriers to progress and happiness. The Conflict and Dispute Resolution (CRES) Master's Degree program gives you the skills and knowledge to resolve conflicts peacefully—both on an intimate level between individuals, and a high level between organizations and even nations. [+]
Hult’s one-year Master of Finance equips you with the foundation necessary to tackle the complex world of corporate financial management. Learn both the language of business and the tactical financial skills needed to make an impact in corporate finance and accounting. [+]
The Master of Science in Management-Operations Research and Supply Chain Management (MSM-OR/SC) degree is designed for individuals with quantitative training who seek to obtain a position in operations management or a management position in manufacturing, service or consulting firms that are part of sophisticated national or global supply chains. [+]
Navigate the intersection of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Translate theory into practice and begin implementing policy that supports your community. [+]
The Master of Product Design & Development Management (mpd²) program is designed for professionals who want to master the concepts and tools of product design and development. You will learn about creativity, innovation, lean design, design strategy, product innovation, end-user research, marketing, and project and product management, as well as business and financial issues. The highly-focused curriculum, taught by senior faculty from academic and business, is designed to assure our graduates a pathway to senior management. You'll quickly understand why Business Week has endorsed this program as one of the top programs of its kind in the world. [+]
The Howard University Master of Accountancy MAcc program is a specialized advanced graduate-level business program focused on preparing graduates for successful careers in corporate accounting, governmental accounting, non-profit accounting, auditing, and advisory and consulting services. [+]
Any business in any industry gains a competitive edge when they can harness data to inform strategic decisions. Our ORIE Masters will give you the mathematical and modeling skills you need to put data to work. [+]
The Dual MAcc/MS in MIS is an option for the student who wishes to pursue career options in professional services and consulting firms. Students graduating with this combination of degrees will possess the accounting background necessary for the practice of public accounting and additionally, will have expertise in the MIS area that will facilitate a wide range of career paths in the area of financial information design and evaluation. [+]
