Master of Arts facts for kids
A Master of Arts (often shortened to MA) is a special university degree you can get after finishing your first degree (like a Bachelor's). It's called a postgraduate degree because you study it after your first one.
People who earn an MA usually study subjects like history, literature, languages, philosophy, or social sciences. It helps them become experts in their chosen field.
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What is a Master of Arts Degree?
A Master of Arts degree shows that someone has studied a subject in depth at a university. It's a higher level of education than a bachelor's degree. This degree is given by universities in many countries around the world.
Why Study for an MA?
Students choose to get an MA for several reasons:
- To learn more about a subject they love.
- To prepare for a job that needs advanced knowledge.
- To get ready for an even higher degree, like a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).
What Does "Arts" Mean in This Degree?
The word "Arts" in Master of Arts doesn't just mean painting or music. In university, "Arts" refers to subjects that are not science or math. These are often called the humanities and social sciences.
Some common subjects for an MA include:
- History
- English Literature
- Foreign Languages
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Economics
How Do You Get an MA?
To get a Master of Arts degree, students usually need to:
- Complete a bachelor's degree first.
- Apply to a university's graduate program.
- Take advanced classes in their chosen subject.
- Write a long research paper called a thesis or complete a major project.
- Pass exams.
The time it takes to earn an MA can vary. Most full-time students finish in one to two years.
History of the Master of Arts
The idea of a Master of Arts degree comes from medieval European universities. In those days, students would study the "liberal arts." These were subjects like grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music.
When a student mastered these subjects, they were given the title Magister Artium, which means "Master of Arts" in Latin. This title allowed them to teach at the university.
Over time, the meaning of the degree changed. Today, it's a sign of advanced study and expertise, not just a license to teach.
Master of Arts Around the World
The Master of Arts degree is offered in many countries, but the exact rules can be different.
- United States and Canada: An MA is usually a one- to two-year program after a bachelor's degree.
- United Kingdom: Some older universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, automatically give an MA to students who get a bachelor's degree after a few years. Other UK universities offer taught MA programs like in the US.
- Europe: Many European countries have adopted a system where a bachelor's degree is followed by a master's degree, often called an MA for arts and humanities subjects.
No matter where it's earned, a Master of Arts degree shows a high level of academic achievement.
Images for kids
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See also
- In Spanish: Maestría en Artes para niños
