What Is a Graduate Degree? Your 2025 Guide

A graduate degree is an academic program you can pursue after getting your bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree—which includes master's degrees, professional degrees, and doctorate degrees—allows you to further specialize in an area of interest or choose a course that directly relates to or offers accreditation for the profession you want to enter. 

Students often pursue a graduate degree to gain access to more jobs, higher salaries, or as a stepping stone for further study. For specific careers, graduate qualifications will be essential. For others, they may be a career boost, but you may be more flexible on your program choice. By earning a graduate degree, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and gain a competitive edge as a job candidate. 

Learn more about the different types of graduate degrees to determine if a degree is the right option for you and your career.

What is a graduate degree?

A graduate degree refers to degree programs you take after getting an undergraduate degree, typically requiring several additional years of study in your field of interest. If you’ve completed your undergraduate education and want to continue learning and advancing in your career, a graduate degree may be your next step. On average, graduate degrees take anywhere from one to five years, depending on which type you pursue.

3 types of graduate degrees

While researching graduate programs, you'll typically come across three types of degrees. The most commonly known is a master's degree, but that isn’t your only option. The term 'graduate degree' also includes PhDs and professional degrees, such as a Juris Doctor or Doctor of Medicine. Let's take a closer look at each:

1. Master's degree 

A master’s degree takes one to two years of full-time study, depending on the program and your schedule. Depending on your chosen subject, you may pursue a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), or something more specialized. A master's degree incorporates coursework and independent study and usually requires the submission of a thesis or the completion of a capstone project. 

Specialized options include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), one of the most popular master’s programs in business management, including marketing, finance, sales, and accounting. You may also consider a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), designed specifically for artists focusing on music, art, theater, and graphic design.

2. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Another popular graduate program is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which takes three to five years. Courses at this level are research-based, allowing you to test theories and hypotheses in your chosen field. Options for what to study are vast and may include areas relating to psychology, social science, humanities, and technology, among others. 

3. Professional degree

A professional degree is typically a high academic credential in a specific career. While some professional degrees are at the bachelor’s level, these degrees take it a step further to apply research to solve practical problems within the field. Professional degrees have many titles, including Doctor of Medicine (MD). While these degrees vary in length, they typically take three to five years to complete. For example, many MD programs take approximately four years to complete.

Is a graduate degree worth it?

A graduate degree may be worth it for your career if you’re looking for advanced roles with the potential for more responsibility and higher salaries. If your desired job requires a master’s degree or higher, completing a graduate degree may be an ideal path forward. 

Skills acquired in graduate degree programs

A graduate degree allows you to develop skills in particular areas related to your specialization, but it also helps you to command general transferrable skills to any career path. These may include:

• Verbal and written communication skills

• Critical thinking

• Problem-solving

• Research skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Time management

• Leadership and coordination

Jobs you can get with a graduate degree

Upon completing your graduate degree, you may qualify for several roles, including becoming a librarian or a therapist. Discover additional jobs you may get with a graduate degree and the salaries for each:

• Librarian: $72,854 CAD

• Therapist: $82,594 CAD

• Attorney: $99,529 CAD

• Economist: $78,254 CAD

• Dentist: $112,964 CAD

• Political scientist: $76,106 CAD

• Professor: $147,467 CAD

• Physician assistant: $81,535 CAD

*All annual base salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of February 2025 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

Graduate degree next steps

If earning a graduate degree is your next step in your educational journey and professional career, determine which degree program you want to pursue and the university you’d like to apply to.

You may also explore what it's like to earn a graduate degree online by enrolling in an open course from a top university on Coursera. Depending on the course, you could earn credit toward a master's degree:

• Learn to manage people effectively with Strategic Leadership and Management from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business.

• Think like a computer scientist with Computational Thinking for Problem Solving from the University of Pennsylvania.

• Explore how the world impacts public health outcomes with the University of Michigan's Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health.

• Make better data-driven decisions with Vital Skills for Data Science Specialization from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Give your team access to a catalog of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business.

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