Master's degrees are growing at a good pace. Currently, in Spain there is an offer of around ten thousand master's degrees, so choosing and getting it right is not easy. The options are divided between official and own master's degrees, and can be face-to-face, distance learning or semi-face-to-face. The official ones are studies with official recognition, which have gone through an external evaluation process that guarantees their quality. Their own have been validated by the university itself and the degree obtained is also only from that university. Although all of them allow you to specialize in an area or redirect your professional career, taking an official master's degree is essential if you want to complete a doctorate, or if you need to obtain a master's degree to practice a regulated profession (enabling master's degrees).
Before choosing an official or own master's degree, different elements must be evaluated. The ten aspects to consider to make a more informed choice are:
1. Motivations. Reflect on the reasons why you want to pursue these studies.
2. Contents. Carefully analyze the agenda to see if it meets the objectives of each person.
3. Modality and intensity. Choose the modality (in-person, online or semi-in-person) and the schedules that best fit (full-time or part-time).
4. Admission process. Know all the details to access the studies, enrollment dates, scholarships, etc.
5. Teacher profile. The teaching staff must be experts in the subject and have professional experience.
6. Characteristics of the center. This may be more or less a specialist in a sector, have good facilities, prestige, international recognition, facilitate internships, etc.
7. Practices. They can facilitate entry into reference organizations that will reinforce learning and the possibilities of finding work.
8. Internships abroad or exchange programs. They allow you to improve your network of contacts, acquire new professional skills and perfect your language.
9. Financing. There are scholarships or financing systems to pay for these studies.
10. Professional perspectives. You should find out about professional opportunities and the added value that these studies will bring to your resume.
