Mastère spécialisé facts for kids
The Mastère Spécialisé is a special kind of advanced degree in France. It's also known as a Specialized Master or Advanced Master. This degree was created in 1986 by a group called the Conférence des Grandes Écoles.
It's a full-time program that usually lasts one year. Students earn 75 ECTS credits. The program includes classes, often taught in French or English. Students also do an internship (like a work placement). At the end, they write a special project called a thesis. This degree is often for young people who already have a master's degree. They might want to learn more about a specific topic. Or they might want to gain new skills for jobs that companies really need.
In 2008-2009, there were 418 different Mastère Spécialisé programs. About 90 special schools, called Grandes écoles, offered them. These programs cover many different subjects. For example, you could study aeronautics (about airplanes), business, or computer science. Since 1986, over 82,000 students have earned a Mastère Spécialisé degree.
It's important not to confuse the Mastère Spécialisé with the Executive Mastère Spécialisé. This is another advanced program from the Conférence des Grandes Écoles. Both programs usually require students to have a master's degree already. However, the Executive Mastère Spécialisé is a part-time program. It's made for adults who are already working full-time. They want to improve their skills in a certain area. These students usually have at least three years of work experience. Their employers often help pay for their studies. This program takes about 15 months. Students also write a thesis at the end.
How the Mastère Spécialisé Started
The Mastère Spécialisé degree began in 1986. In the late 1980s, a group called the Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur had a rule. To get a French Diplôme d'ingénieur (an engineering degree), students had to study for three years in a grande école.
However, many students from other countries would come to France. They would study in these grandes écoles for only one year. Then they would go back to their home countries without a degree. Also, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was not yet used by all schools. ECTS helps count credits across different countries.
At the same time, many companies in France needed workers with special skills. They looked for graduates who could fill jobs in important industries. Because of this need, the French Conférence des Grandes Écoles created the Mastère Spécialisé. It was a way to give students specialized knowledge quickly.
See also
In Spanish: Mastère Spécialisé para niños
