How Long Does a Master's Degree Take?
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
If you're considering taking your education to the next level and pursuing a master's degree, you may wonder how long it would take to complete a master's program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a master's degree generally requires one or two years of full-time college-level study beyond a bachelor's degree.1 If you decide to attend graduate school part-time, then your might have to extend your graduation date. However, earning a master's degree faster may be possible.
How Many Credits Is a Master's Degree Program?
Credit requirements for master's degree programs vary by school, program and field of study. A program's total credit requirement, along with the number of credits you take per term, can help you estimate how long it may take to finish.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master's Degree?
A master's degree generally takes about one to two years of full-time study beyond a bachelor's degree. The exact timeline varies by program. Part-time study can take longer, while some accelerated master's degree programs may offer a shorter path.
The Standard Timeline: About 1 to 2 Years Full-Time
For many students, a master's degree takes about one to two years of full-time study. The exact timeline depends on the program, the number of credits required, and how many credits you complete each term.
Accelerated Programs
An accelerated master's degree may shorten the time to graduation. Many master's programs can be completed in 12 months or less.
In addition, a 12-month master's degree program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals with options such as flexible schedules, online access, and short session lengths.
Besides the MBA, additional master's degree programs you can complete in 12 months or less include the Master of Healthcare Management, Master of Education and Master of Science in Information Technology.
Part-Time Enrollment
Part-time students may take longer to complete a master's degree program, depending on how many credits they take each term and whether they study year-round. This pace can help working professionals balance graduate school with job and family commitments.
Online Programs
Online master's programs can provide additional flexibility for working adults. Several graduate programs are offered entirely online and can save you time commuting and having to rearrange your schedule to fit in class time.
Online courses may allow you to study, view lectures, and take part in class discussions when it works best for you, helping you make the most of the extra minutes available early in the morning, late at night, at lunch, or even during your commute.
Transferring In Credits
Transferable graduate credits may help shorten the time needed to complete a master's degree. The amount of time saved depends on the program and how previously earned credits apply toward its requirements.*
Earning a Master's While Working Full-Time
It is often possible to earn a master's degree while working full-time. Online master's degree programs for working adults can offer flexible scheduling, shorter terms, and multiple start dates to help students fit coursework around professional and personal responsibilities.
Returning to School Years After Your Bachelor's
If you are returning to school after years away, an online master's degree program can offer scheduling flexibility that may make it easier to fit graduate study into your current responsibilities. Your timeline will still depend on your program requirements and whether you study full-time or part-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
A master's degree generally requires about one to two years of full-time study beyond a bachelor's degree.1 Part-time study can take longer, while accelerated program formats may offer a shorter path.
Credit requirements vary by school, program and field of study. Checking a program's total credit requirement is one of the clearest ways to estimate your timeline.
Accelerated programs with shorter terms, year-round enrollment, a heavier course load, and eligible transfer credits* may provide a faster path. The workload may be more intense and fast-paced, particularly for students working full-time.
Part-time study generally takes longer than full-time study. The timeline depends on how many credits you complete each term and whether you study year-round.
Online master's programs can provide scheduling flexibility that may help working adults fit coursework around professional and personal responsibilities.
The timeline depends on the school, program and how quickly you complete its requirements. Shorter terms and year-round study may speed up the process, while part-time pacing can extend it.
Explore AIU's master's degree programs to compare available graduate paths and find an option that fits your schedule and academic goals.
* Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
REQ2269279 09/2026
1 National Center for Education Statistics. “Digest of Education Statistics, 2022: Appendix B, Definitions.” https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/app_b.asp Accessed September 1, 2026.
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