Research your field of intended study to ensure that obtaining a master's degree will benefit you. If your intention is higher pay, ensure that the field you work in actually rewards master's degree holders with higher pay. The decision to pursue a master's degree should be made with careful consideration.
Locate programs that offer degrees in the field you want to pursue. Because of the nature of distance education, you don't necessarily have to feel constrained by geographic location.
Examine the cost of the program per tuition hour and in terms of the total cost over the life of the program. Distance education programs tend to be more expensive than their on-campus counterparts, but the increased demand for online courses has led to lower tuition prices in some cases.
Take the appropriate graduate school admission test for your field of study. Business students usually take the Graduate Management Admission Test. Some schools may require the Graduate Record Examination. You can determine the test to take by reading the student handbook and checking with your advisor.
Apply for admission to each school of interest to you. Check the school's accreditation before making your application for admission. Schools should be accredited by a regional accrediting agency that is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Those accredited by the Distance Education Training Council are also considered to have legitimate accreditation. Applying for admission usually involves submitting an application along with the appropriate fee, GRE test scores, transcripts from your undergraduate work and letters of recommendation from faculty members of your undergraduate school.
Register for courses based on the requirements of the degree program at the school you choose to attend. If your school offers several different areas of specialization within your degree program, sign up for courses in your intended specialty.
Complete your coursework. Most master's degree programs take one to two years to complete and will require between 30 to 45 credit hours, depending on the field of study. For many disciplines, coursework involves taking seminars that introduce you to a wide array of scholarship in your field of study. This will prepare you for doctoral studies later if you decide to pursue a doctorate.
Complete any additional requirements of the program. Some programs require a master's thesis, and some even require comprehensive exams much like doctoral programs. Business students will typically complete some type of capstone project, and nursing students may complete a specialized practicum in their field of study. Ensure that you review the requirements for your degree program carefully before you start so that if one of these is required, you can begin preparations early in your program of study.