Before we dive into the topic of how long a master's degree is, I want to help you save some stress. First, go into this topic without allowing yourself to think, "I don't have time for that." 

When I started considering my Master of Business Administration, I talked myself out of it three times a day. I could've already achieved my dream of an MBA during the time I spent being wishy-washy about it.

Second, know that you're one step closer to being a Master of Legal Studies by knowing the answer is that "It depends." How many years it takes to get a master's largely depends on your situation. There are far too many flexible options to let the master's degree timeframe be the main deterrent. 

Let's explore more about the Master of Your Future. 

Overview of Master’s Degree Types and Typical Timeframes

As much as achieving a master's degree is a uniform goal for many working professionals, there's more than one cookie-cutter approach to tackling a graduate program. 

The Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) are the most common, usually focusing on humanities or sciences, respectively. MA and MS degrees typically take around one to two years of full-time study and three to four years of part-time education. You can shorten the time with accelerated programs, online education, or non-thesis options.

Professional degrees like the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which centers on leadership and management skills, can take anywhere from one year in an accelerated program to up to five years in part-time studying and full-time work. 

Current educators might find the Master of Education (MEd) the easiest and shortest route to a graduate degree, as many programs can be finished in a year. 

What Is the Typical Courseload When Pursuing a Master's Degree? 

"How long is a master's degree?" I asked myself many times. 

The truth is that the years it takes to get a master's degree are less important than the hours you can give each week to achieve that goal.

A master's program can require anywhere from eight to 10 courses, with each course earning you three credits. Each course usually requires around 3 hours of class time per week. For every hour of class, plan on spending an additional two to three hours studying outside of class.

Part-time students typically take one to two courses per term. One course would take around nine to 12 hours per week. Two classes could range from 18 to 24 weekly hours. Anyone taking three to four courses in a semester would be considered full-time students. That could mean up to 48 hours of coursework and classwork.

Accelerated programs can come with higher GPA requirements, lower tuition costs compared to traditional programs, and the same number of courses required, just facilitated on a more advanced timeline.

Factors That Influence the Duration of a Master’s Program

The length of time required to earn a master's degree depends on various factors. You largely control how long it takes to get a master's degree. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Program Type and Requirements

Many master's programs are designed to accommodate traditional full-time students or working professionals. Generally, programs that include a thesis, research projects, or internships take longer than programs that exclude these elements.

Accelerated programs, flex options, and summer coursework can also adapt to the busy life of working full-time while getting a graduate degree. The "grind" isn't as long, but you need excellent time management skills and focus.

Transfer Credits and Prior Learning

No matter how long it has been since your bachelor's or associate's program, check to see if the credits you acquired can be applied to certain coursework in the master's program. You might be able to start earning the new degree two steps ahead. Also, look into the option of testing out of certain required classes that could extend how long it takes to get a master's degree. 

Niche or New Direction?

As a career journalist, if I had gone for a Master's in Data Journalism or an MS in Journalism, I could've easily considered accelerated master's programs due to my berth of knowledge and experience. However, moving to the MBA considerations, I knew it would take more math and strategy, which would put me outside my comfort zone and take longer. 

If you're looking to do a career pivot, give yourself time to learn the new skill and don't rush it. 

Tips for Managing Time

No matter what your home and family dynamics are, having a support system is crucial to finding the right balance in how long it takes to get a master's degree. 

Your partner might be willing to pick up the lion's share of duties at home so you can hyper-focus on education for a year. On the flip side, you might be a single parent trying to make a better life for your family without feeling absent while earning a graduate degree. In that case, it might make more sense to track down an online learning environment so you can do homework alongside the kids. 

How Hard Is It to Get a Master's Degree?

Nothing is easy about carving out nine to 48 hours of your already busy week, but with so much flexibility, it's as easy or hard as you make it. 

Before you give up the idea, there's one important thing way too many people overlook. Employers might be willing to not only subsidize your graduate education but also allow more time for studying without impacting your current salary. Ask your boss if your company offers tuition reimbursement. 

Start Planning Your Master's Program Today

With so many master's degree programs available, it helps to have easy tools to figure out which degree is easiest, fastest or the best value for your professional needs. Tools like these free career quizzes can help you see educational aspects you might not realize at first glance. 

Now that you have a better understanding of the hours, weeks, and months it takes to get a master's degree, you can carve out time in your schedule to meet and exceed your goals.