How do I get a Master's Degree in Administration?

Those who pursue a master’s degree in administration normally receive a traditional bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution plus ample work experience from within a particular field, whether it be in business, hospitality, health care, or hundreds of other fields. Since a master’s degree in administration is a highly sought-after title, many institutions also require a letter of recommendation, a formal essay, and an interview before granting admittance into a master’s program. Each program will vary slightly depending on the industry that it applies to, but they all will generally require additional study in fields like economics, project management, and marketing.

Many choose to get a master's in the generalized field of business administration (MBA), and professionals from many different industries obtain this level of education almost solely for advancement purposes. Within the studies, candidates will learn to fine-tune their management skills with a focus placed on implementing business principles, making financial decisions on behalf of a corporation, and learning to utilize employees. Those who enroll in an MBA program normally have several years of direct management experience under their belts plus recommendations from their current employer or former professors.

Other options for obtaining a master’s degree in administration are often much more specialized, focusing on a particular field that would have business traits specific to that type of industry. A master’s degree in public administration (MPA), for example, prepares mid-level government and civil employees to attain higher ranks within their profession. Most colleges would not even consider accepting a candidate who is not already active within the field because the waiting lists are often simply too long to occupy those types of classes. Before graduation, students within specialized master’s degree in administration programs will often have to complete a set amount of coursework that directly corresponds to their actual employment, plus compose a type of dissertation to prove that their knowledge within the field meets the accrediting institution’s criteria.

On top of the requirements already mentioned, any prospective student considering a master’s degree in administration must have exemplary marks from a four-year institution, with especially promising scores in economics, accounting, and business administration. Everything from extracurricular activities to the prestige of the current employer could play a factor in the overall chances of being accepted into the program, and the waiting lists within some fields can often span 24 months or longer. Some candidates even go as far as obtaining a recommendation from a high-ranking official within their local province or region in hopes that it will boost their credibility.