Admission to university MS programs generally requires an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as a bachelor of science degree in engineering, chemistry or nutrition.
Upon acceptance to a school, MS candidates undertake two or more years of post-graduate research and coursework in the scientific discipline of their choice generally concluding in a thesis, which is a summary of findings and research.
According to a 2010 news release from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1/2 of master's program graduates earn more than $69,000 annually. The prospective of continuing to earn a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is also a draw for people looking into a career in academia.
Depending on the university and program, classes may be held online or in a small group setting. The broad range of subjects from finance and management to engineering and nursing means that a lot of possibilities exist for MS degrees.