A Master of Arts degree (MA) is one of the more common online master’s degrees.
MA programs focus on the humanities, social sciences, fine arts or theology. MA programs typically take two years to complete, but may be longer if you are studying online at a slower pace. If you have advanced knowledge in a particular field of study, some colleges will award a degree based on proficiency testing.
A Master of Science degree (MS) focuses on physical and life sciences, business and technical fields. MS programs typically take two years and involve some amount of research and/or lab work. A student completing his or her MS degree is usually poised to enter the workforce, but some MS graduates go on to doctoral programs.
Aside from MA and MS degrees, some other online master’s degrees include Master of Education (MEd), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is the most popular online master’s degree in the United States.