The difference between a professional master's degree and an academic master's degree in detail

Article Sections

What is a professional master’s degree?
What is an academic master’s degree?
Comparison between a professional master’s degree and an academic master’s degree
Which is better, a professional or academic master’s degree.. and how do you choose the one that suits you?
Work fields that are compatible with both a professional master’s degree and an academic master’s degree
Skills that students acquire in both a professional master’s degree and an academic master’s degree

Many students seek to know the difference between a professional master’s degree and an academic master’s degree, especially after completing their undergraduate studies and starting to think about how to complete their education in a way that suits their personal goals and ambitions.

Gaining more professional and academic skills in our current era has become the magic key to success, especially in light of the increasing challenges facing everyone in the labor market.

Dear reader, if you are looking to know how to choose the most appropriate master’s degree for you in order to invest in developing your technical and personal skills or increasing your experience in scientific research and going beyond traditional knowledge, there is no doubt that you will find the answer in the following lines.

What is a Professional Master’s?

The Professional Master’s is a scientific degree and a study program from the graduate programs that consists in most of its fields of a set of specific courses in addition to supplementary research and does not require the submission of any scientific thesis.

The Professional Master’s focuses on acquiring and developing experience in applying the practical skills of theoretical concepts in a realistic work environment with the aim of improving professional performance, as it works to link theoretical sciences with the method of applying them directly in a realistic environment and is designed for the following categories:

Staff working in institutions and companies who wish to develop their professional career in their field of work and acquire more practical skills and experiences.

Students who seek to improve their chances of finding a job and acquire the practical and professional skills they need to start directly competing in the labor market, such as acquiring leadership and management skills.

Advantages and disadvantages of a professional master’s degree

Before choosing a professional master’s degree, you must know the advantages and disadvantages of this master’s degree in order to make the appropriate decision that may contribute to achieving your professional goals:

Advantages of a professional master’s degree:

The professional master’s degree focuses primarily on applying theoretical knowledge in a realistic work environment, which helps the student gain the practical and professional experience required to meet the requirements and challenges of the labor market.
The professional master’s degree contributes to developing practical skills among individuals in the work environment such as (leadership skills, problem-solving skills and decision-making), which contributes to enhancing their chances of rising to higher leadership positions and thus increasing income.
Studying a professional master’s degree increases the student’s chances of getting a job because it indicates that he has the necessary skills and the ability to assume more responsibilities with greater experience and confidence than others in various sectors as he holds the appropriate qualification, which guarantees him a better professional future.
The professional master’s degree gives its holder the ability to compete strongly in the labor market, as it increases the practical skills necessary for success and the ability to be creative and innovative in solving problems, as most professional master’s programs meet the needs of the ever-changing labor market.

Disadvantages of the Professional Master’s:

The advantages and disadvantages of the Professional Master’s must be carefully evaluated, and the difference between the Professional Master’s and the Academic Master’s must be known, and the above must be compared with other available options before making a final decision, as the Professional Master’s is not the best option for everyone. What are its main disadvantages?

1-The Professional Master’s does not qualify the student in most Arab countries to continue his/her academic studies and advance to postgraduate studies (PhD), but rather qualifies its holder for the labor market more.

2-The cost of enrolling in a Professional Master’s program is somewhat high, as the cost is affected by various factors such as the type of university (governmental – private), the duration of the program, the study pattern (full-time, part-time, distance learning), the specialization (some specializations may be more expensive than other specializations), the student’s country, in addition to other expenses such as fees, books and study materials. In general, the Professional Master’s requires higher costs than the Academic Master’s.

Is the professional master’s degree accredited?

The answer to the question of whether the professional master’s degree is recognized depends on several factors, the most important of which are:

Local recognition: Recognition of the professional master’s degree depends on the recognition of the Ministry of Higher Education in the student’s country of the university or educational institution that offers the professional master’s program
International recognition: If the student obtains a professional master’s degree from an internationally recognized university, his degree is most likely recognized in all countries that recognize the university.

How do you make sure that the professional master’s degree is recognized?

You must make sure that the university is accredited in the country of study and you must inquire about the extent to which the professional master’s program is accredited in the countries you wish to work in and you must take into account that it meets the required standards in your professional field.

In short, recognition of the professional master’s degree depends on several factors, but in general, if you are planning to work in the private sector or in a country that requires practical professional experience, the professional master’s degree is the best choice.

The future of the professional master’s degree

Given the increasing awareness of the need to not stop learning continuously in order to keep up with the wheel of growth, the future of the professional master’s degree has developed and the demand for it has increased for the following reasons:

Increasing demand for professional master’s programs that focus on digital technologies:

Most economic and service sectors are currently adopting digital technologies that require qualified and experienced cadres in dealing with these technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, etc., so the demand for studying a professional master’s degree in information systems management and everything related to the world of digital technologies will increase in the future, so be sure to catch up with the rapid development.

Globality and multiculturalism:

As most industries and markets move towards globalization, the knowledge and experience required to excel in these fields is also moving towards globalization, as most professional master’s programs these days, such as the Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA), include classes in which different nationalities from all over the world participate, so there is no need to worry about the unavailability of the professional master’s degree you want to join in the educational institution in your country, as you can now obtain the professional master’s degree that meets your ambitions remotely via the Internet.

Increased demand for soft skills:

The importance of executive cadres in various sectors possessing soft skills in addition to technical competencies has increased, as most companies have been forced to manage their businesses remotely, which has increased their reliance on cadres who possess communication skills, the ability to lead, solve problems and work within a team. Thus, soft skills have become one of the most important qualities that employers are looking for today in leaders and employees alike.

In short, the future of the professional master’s degree is bright, and it offers you countless opportunities to develop your skills with the increasing awareness of the need for it in all sectors and institutions. There is no doubt that the goal of obtaining a professional master’s degree depends primarily on your professional and personal goals and your desire to continue your educational journey to acquire practical skills that give you an advantage when competing in the labor market or enhance your job position in your current job.

Cost of the professional master’s:

The costs of the professional master’s are one of the important factors that must be taken into account when planning to join such a program, as these costs vary greatly and are generally affected by the following factors:

University: Private university fees are usually higher than public universities.
Required specialization: Some specializations have higher fees because they require more special equipment or laboratories than other specializations.
Program duration: The longer the duration of the professional master’s program, the higher the total cost.
Country of study: The costs of living and studying vary greatly between developed and non-developed countries. For example, the cost of a professional master’s degree in the United States ranges between $30,000 and $120,000, while in Arab countries the fees range between $5,000 and $20,000, and in Turkey the fees range between $2,000 and $10,000.

Professional Master’s Specializations

Professional Master’s specializations include a wide range of programs that students can choose from to suit their academic specialization, and are also suitable for working cadres seeking to gain more experience and skill in the job field, as most professional Master’s programs are designed to meet the growing needs of the labor market.

The following are the most important professional Master’s specializations:

Professional Master’s in Education
Professional Master’s in Accounting MPA
Professional Master’s in Business Administration MBA
Professional Master’s in Information Systems Management
Professional Master’s in Counseling and Mental Health
Professional Master’s in Legal Sciences.
Professional Master’s in Chemistry, Nuclear Physics and Radiation.
Professional Master’s in Human Sciences.
Professional Master’s in Human Resources Management.
Executive Master’s in Strategic Marketing
Professional Master’s in Total Quality Management Sciences.
Professional Master’s in Management Sciences in International Trade.
Master’s in Political Science International Relations and Diplomacy
Master’s in Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)
Professional Master’s in Project Management.
Professional Master’s in Stock Market Management.
Professional Master’s in Hotel Management.
Professional Master’s in Cloud Computing Network Sciences.

It is worth noting that there are some popular abbreviations that refer to the most well-known specializations in professional master’s programs, such as MBA, which refers to Master of Business Administration, MSc, which refers to Master of Education, and MEng, which refers to Professional Master in Engineering.

Professional Master’s Requirements

The requirements for registration in a professional master’s degree vary according to the required specialization and the specific requirements of each educational institution, but the points mentioned below must be available to register in any professional master’s program:

1-Academic qualification: It is not possible to register in any professional master’s degree without obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree at the undergraduate level from a recognized academic institution.

2-GPA: In each field of the professional master’s degree, a minimum cumulative GPA in the university degree is required as a basic condition for registration and must not be less than a good grade. Some fields may only require a university degree, even if the GPA is acceptable.

3-Practical experience: Some professional master’s programs require a minimum level of practical experience in the same field of specialization, and the required period varies depending on the targeted program.

4-English language: Most professional master’s programs require a specific level of English, either by passing language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS or passing the language test designated for registration in master’s programs and approved by educational institutions.

5-Aptitude and Skills Test: Some professional master’s programs require the student to pass a skills test such as the GMAT, which is a standardized international test designed to assess the abilities of students wishing to enroll in graduate programs in business administration. 6-Some fields in the professional master’s require the applicant to conduct a personal interview as a condition of

What is an academic master’s degree?

The academic master’s degree is a scientific degree and a study program that qualifies the student to complete postgraduate studies and obtain a doctorate degree. The academic master’s degree is intended for the following categories:

Students who wish to continue research studies and scientific depth in a specific specialization.
Categories who wish to work in the field of scientific research and in the field of teaching in academic institutions and contribute to innovation and renewal in the scientific field.

The academic master’s degree consists in most of its programs in all academic institutions of one of these items:

Courses for study courses in addition to a research project.
A group of courses only.
A scientific thesis.
Courses in addition to the scientific thesis.

Advantages and disadvantages of the academic master’s degree

Among the most prominent advantages of studying the academic master’s degree are that it:

Qualifies its holder to work in public and private educational institutions in the field of teaching and scientific research, and also qualifies its holder to work in various administrative positions that suit the specialist in various other sectors.
Most academic master’s programs are free in countries that adopt free education in their universities.

As for the most prominent disadvantages of the academic master’s degree, they are:

It requires a very high cumulative GPA in most specializations.
The competition for it is very high.
Being forced to change the major track in a way that does not suit the student’s personal ambitions due to the high number of applicants for registration in the academic master’s degree, the lack of available places, and the lack of capacity for everyone, which exposes many people with high cumulative grade points to injustice in achieving their future dreams.

Academic Master’s Requirements

Requirements for enrolling in an academic master’s degree vary depending on the educational institution (public or private universities).

Public universities:

Admission to all academic master’s programs in public universities is through competition, where those with the highest average are accepted to fill the specified places in each specialization, provided that the average is not less than good as a minimum.
Passing the foreign language test with the required score according to the specialization or presenting a recent certificate indicating that the student has obtained a TOEFL or IELTS certificate.
Paying fees, which are often symbolic in most public universities.
Most public universities require the applicant to pledge to attend and adhere to working hours.
Some specializations require passing the general aptitude test for university students.

Private universities:

The student must attach a bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic qualifications with a minimum average of good.
Passing the foreign language test with the required score according to the specialization or presenting a recent certificate indicating that the student has obtained a TOEFL or IELTS certificate.
Paying the fees due to register for the required program.
Some specializations require passing the general aptitude test for university students.

Does the academic master’s degree have a future?

Obtaining an academic master’s degree is a positive turning point for those who wish to join the teaching staff in private and public universities. It is also a valuable opportunity to gain more teaching and research experience. The academic master’s degree also allows you to complete your research journey to obtain a doctorate and thus further advancement in university positions.

Therefore, if you wish to obtain an academic or research job in the future or complete postgraduate studies to reach a doctorate and higher academic degrees, the academic master’s degree is the best choice.

Comparison between Professional Master’s and Academic Master’s

To know the most important criteria for the difference between Professional and Academic Master’s, all you have to do is read the table below:

Criteria	Professional Master’s	Academic Master’s
The goal	The goal is to gain professional experience and improve skills to compete in the labor market strongly and competently or develop a career path and advance in work.	Obtaining a scientific degree that qualifies the student to continue in postgraduate studies to obtain a doctorate or work in the research and academic field.
Focus	on acquiring practical and applied skills to launch directly into the labor market, such as leadership and management skills.	On scientific research and teaching in academic institutions and contributing to innovation and renewal in the scientific field.
Admission requirements	Obtaining a bachelor’s or bachelor’s degree at the undergraduate level from a recognized academic institution. Some Professional Master’s programs require a minimum of practical experience. Some programs require passing the aptitude and skills test Passing the foreign language test with the required score.	A bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic qualification with a grade of no less than good as a minimum. Passing the foreign language test with the required score. Some programs require passing the aptitude and skills test.
Program structure	Specific courses in addition to supplementary research.	Courses for academic courses plus a research project Or a set of courses only Or a scientific thesis Or courses plus a scientific thesis
The graduation project	aims primarily to find innovative solutions to problems in the work environment to improve performance in the targeted sectors	Research work that provides innovative solutions to the problem presented, through the application of a precise scientific methodology that adopts a model to be emulated in the field of scientific research
The duration of the study	is two academic years in Arab countries and one academic year in European countries and America. The duration may increase to 3 years in some universities	Two academic years in Arab countries and one academic year in European countries and America. The duration may increase to 3 years in some universities.
Professional opportunities	master’s degree have the skills and knowledge necessary to assume leadership and advisory positions.	The academic master’s degree qualifies its holder to work in academic research and teaching in university institutions.

Which is better, a professional or academic master’s degree.. and how do you choose the one that suits you best?

If we want to know which is better between a professional or academic master’s degree as two programs in the educational system, we must know the purpose of choosing either of them:

The academic master’s degree qualifies for postgraduate studies and work in research, academic and teaching positions, while the professional master’s degree qualifies for direct integration into the labor market.
In most cases, there is no professional doctorate except in some limited fields, unlike the academic master’s degree, the goal of which is to complete postgraduate studies leading to a doctorate that relies mainly on scientific research.
The executive master’s degree is easier in any case than the academic master’s degree because of its primary interest in supporting practical experiences and skills.
The financial cost plays a role in choosing the most appropriate master’s degree, as enrolling in a professional master’s degree is more expensive, unlike the academic master’s degree, most of whose programs are free.

If you want to work in an academic or research position or complete postgraduate studies leading to a doctorate, then the academic master’s degree is ideal, but if you want to qualify for the labor market directly, such as working in law or as an educational teacher, then it is better to study the professional master’s degree.

Fields of work that are suitable for both professional and academic master’s degrees

The fields of work available to holders of professional and academic master’s degrees vary depending on the specialization, but in general they can be summarized as follows:

Fields of work that are suitable for professional master’s degrees:

In the private sector:

Business administration: project management, marketing, human resources, management consulting.
Engineering: supervision of engineering projects, product design, engineering analysis.
Technology: software development, information security, data analysis, management of technological projects.
Accounting: auditing, investment, financial risk management.

In the public sector:

Government project management
Public policy development
Government consulting
Training and development

Fields of work that are suitable for academic master’s degrees:

In the academic sector:

University teaching
Scientific research
University and college administration
Supervising master’s and doctoral theses

In research centers:

Working in government and private research centers
Developing research projects
Publishing scientific research

In the private sector:

Consulting in specialized fields
Developing products and services
Working in pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical industries
Working in technology companies

Skills acquired by students in both the Professional Master’s and Academic Master’s

The Professional Master’s focuses on developing the practical skills required to qualify for the labor market directly and develop the professional competencies necessary to work in the private or public sector, while the Academic Master’s aims to possess the skills to conduct scientific research and qualify graduates to work in academic and research circles..
The Professional Master’s focuses on applying theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems, while the Academic Master’s focuses on building the theoretical foundations for scientific research correctly.

In conclusion, for more detailed information about the difference between the Professional Master’s and the Academic Master’s and the specializations that you can enroll in at Turkish universities,

You can contact Directly Education Company through its educational consultant, we hope that we have been useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the professional master's degree accredited in Saudi Arabia?

The Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia is responsible for accrediting professional master’s programs, which depend on several factors, including:

The university that grants the professional master’s degree must be recognized by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia or by recognized international bodies, which increases the chance of its accreditation in Saudi Arabia.

Some specializations are in greater demand in the Saudi labor market, such as business administration, engineering, and information technology, and are therefore recognized by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.

Does a professional master's degree qualify for a doctorate?

Yes, it is possible to complete a PhD after a professional master’s degree in some cases, as there are doctoral programs dedicated to professional master’s degrees, such as the DBA in Business Administration. Also, holders of a professional master’s degree can apply for some academic positions due to their exceptional leadership and consulting skills.

How long does it take to get a professional certificate?

Obtaining a professional certificate takes two academic years in Arab countries and one academic year in European countries and America. The period may increase to 3 years in some universities.

Is a professional master's degree difficult?

The professional master’s degree is easier than the academic master’s degree in any case, because its primary focus is on supporting practical experiences and skills in a realistic work environment, rather than focusing on scientific research.

What is the difference between professional and academic?

The academic master’s degree qualifies for postgraduate studies and work in research, academic and teaching positions, while the professional master’s degree qualifies for direct integration into the labor market.

In most cases, there is no professional doctorate except in some limited fields, unlike the academic master’s degree, the goal of which is to complete postgraduate studies leading to a doctorate that relies primarily on scientific research.

The executive master’s degree is easier in all cases than the academic master’s degree because it is primarily concerned with supporting practical experiences and skills.

The financial cost plays a role in choosing the most appropriate master’s degree, as registration in the professional master’s degree is expensive, unlike the academic master’s degree, most of whose programs are free.

Is it possible to do a PhD after a professional master's degree?

In some cases, a doctorate can be completed after a professional master’s degree, as there are doctoral programs specifically for professional master’s degrees, such as a DBA in Business Administration. Professional master’s degree holders can also apply for some academic positions because of their exceptional leadership and consulting skills.

How do I get a professional master's degree?

Search for universities and colleges that offer professional master’s programs in the desired specialty. You can search online, use university search platforms, or inquire from specialized and accredited institutes in your country.

Is a professional master's degree useful?

The Professional Master’s degree focuses on developing the practical skills required to qualify directly for the labor market and developing the professional competencies necessary to work in the private or public sector. The Professional Master’s degree also focuses on applying theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems.

How many years does a professional master's degree take?

Two academic years in Arab countries and one academic year in European countries and America. The duration may increase to 3 years in some universities.