How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's Degree?

A typical master's degree program can take around 2 years to complete. Some degree programs may take less time, depending on their credit hours and curriculum requirements, while others can take around 3 or 4 years to complete.

At DeVry, for example, our Master's Degree in Business Administration Program (MBA) can be completed in as little as:

There are many factors that can influence how long it takes to earn a master's degree –  both in slowing down or speeding up the process. Speaking with an Admissions Representative is the best way to understand how long it may take you to complete your program, but here are a few things you should take into consideration when evaluating your personal circumstances:

Like many postsecondary education programs, you can enroll in a master's degree program on a part-time or full-time schedule at DeVry. If you are enrolled as a full-time student, your master's degree program can typically be completed in less time. If you are enrolled on a part-time basis, it will take longer. Time spent earning your master’s degree can also be lengthened if you take breaks between class sessions.

Whether you choose part-time or full-time is ultimately up to you. Pursuing your master's degree as a part-time student can give you much-needed flexibility, as a lighter course load may allow you to achieve a better balance between studying and other commitments, such as work and family.

Every degree curriculum is built differently, and because of that they can vary in overall length and intensity. Some degrees are designed to be completed very quickly, while others are designed to cover more complex concepts, requiring you to take more classes and spend more time in school. 

The number of semester-credit hours needed to graduate from a master's degree program will vary among programs and schools, but typically ranges between 30 and 60 credits.

Taking a look at how many credits a program requires can help you figure out how long it takes to earn a master's degree. In many cases, each course counts for three or four credits. Breaking down the number of courses you take per session and calculating the value of each credit can give you a good idea of how long earning a particular degree takes.

Finally, any degree requirements that you have not met when you start looking for a master's degree program can affect how long it takes to earn your degree. For instance, just about every master's degree program is going to require you to earn a bachelor's degree before you can enroll.

Another factor is any transfer credits you may be bringing with you from another school or program. Depending on the admissions requirements of your master’s program, you may be able to apply qualifying credit hours from previously completed courses toward your master’s degree, which may play a role in reducing the amount of time you’ll spend at school.

To qualify for any master’s degree program, the first requirement is completion of a bachelor’s degree. If you hold a bachelor’s degree from a university-recognized institution, you are eligible for application to our Keller Graduate School of Management here at DeVry.

As a Keller applicant, you will need to demonstrate math and verbal skills proficiency. This is accomplished by achieving an undergraduate GPA higher than 2.50 on a 4.0 scale, submitting acceptable Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores or submitting an acceptable Keller-administered test score.

Select programs may have additional program-related prerequisite skills requirements. All the details can be found in our Keller Graduate Academic Catalog.