Find out if the school you wish to apply to is accredited. The U.S. Department of Education's website has records of accreditation. Many employers or other institutions will not recognize a degree from a nonaccredited school from so-called "diploma mills."
Look at what other schools with similar curriculums are offering. Search course catalogs of major institutions and see how the programs are structured. Check to see how courses are designed and look online at syllabi to see what assignments are required. In some cases, the school is not as important as the course work or the actual degree being offerered.
Read a publication in the chosen field of study to find out what the current trends are affecting the area of educational expertise. These often contain valuable information about what's hot and more importantly what is needed. An index of academic journals is available in all fields -- all are written by college and university professors with access to the latest research.
Take the Graduate Record Exam or Graduate Management Admissions Test, both of which are required for most master's programs. The GMAT is the preferred exam for most business schools and the GRE is the exam used for most nonbusiness programs. Also obtain any prior transcripts, gather letters of recommendation and provide the school with any other information they require for admissions.
Plan to spend at least two years working toward your degree. Some programs are designed for one year and many can be taken over the course of four or five years for busy individuals, but the majority of programs can be finished in fewer than three years.