The term master courses is typically used in reference to classes a person can take at the graduate level. These are the classes a person would take when he is working toward a master’s degree rather than completing an undergraduate program. An individual interested in furthering his education beyond the bachelor’s degree level may find a wide range of master courses available to him. Often, these course expand on concepts learned at the bachelor’s degree level or introduce new topics important to the student's major. Sometimes, however, master courses are other types of classes, such as those for students who have advanced knowledge or skill in a particular subject area.
Most people go to college to earn bachelor’s degrees before going off to pursue careers in their fields. In many places, bachelor’s degree programs are considered the standard level of college education. Often, employers prefer job candidates who’ve earned four-year degrees at minimum. In some cases, however, students decide to pursue master’s degrees in order to have more job opportunities available to them or even for the purpose of taking on more responsibility in a current job. When an individual chooses to pursue this level of advanced education, he takes master courses.
When a person enrolls in a master’s degree program, he is typically required to complete a core of master’s level courses. In some cases, the courses may be in subjects similar to those the person took in undergraduate school. In such a case, a master's course typically exposes the student to advanced material he did not have an opportunity to study while earning a bachelor’s degree. As such, these graduate courses may help him expand his knowledge of the topic. In other cases, however, a master course may introduce a student to new, advanced concepts instead of expanding on previous material.
Often, students count electives among the master courses they take in pursuit of master’s degrees. Usually, these classes cover topics that are related to the student’s major yet not critical knowledge for earning the degree. The number of required and elective master courses a person has to take to earn this degree may depend on the particular degree program. In many cases, however, a person must earn at least 30 credits in master’s level courses to earn a master’s degree. Some master’s degree programs require much more than this.
While it can apply to graduate-level courses, the term master course isn’t always used this way. In some cases, the term master course is applied to advanced-level courses in a particular subject outside of graduate school. For example, it may be applied to hobby courses, self-enrichment classes, and sports training as well. In such a case, it may be used to indicate that students taking or completing the course have reached a certain level of mastery, either when beginning the course or by the end of it.
