MA in USA

It is everyone’s dream to enter into one of the finest countries of the world, the United States of America also known as the USA. The USA has an exceptional allure of drawing talented individuals like a magnet. Therefore, an opportunity to pursue your master’s degree at an American university can be truly rewarding. With cultural and technological diversity in the country, it’s best to go for an MA in USA that will allow you to grow academically, professionally and personally. In the US, an MA is a graduate degree that can be specialised in a variety of academic areas, including languages, history, philosophy, the fine arts, social sciences, and more. In the US, a master’s degree in arts can be achieved through coursework, independent study, or—more frequently—a mix of the two. The programme lasts between one and two years of full-time study. Let’s travel and learn all the details about studying MA in USA.

Merits of Pursuing MA in USA

The numbers opting for education abroad for Indian students have tremendously increased over the years. With this quest to acquire quality education and training, about 30% of all current international students in the world are moving to the United States for higher education. But, there have to be some reasons for this growing trend. Let’s take a look at the reasons why a Masters of Arts in the US is so popular. 

• Excelling Academically

The US has one of the finest universities in the world providing exceptional academic education and professional exposure in a vastly distributed US market. All major conglomerates and companies like The Walt Disney Company, AT&T, Apple, Ford and much more are headquartered in the US. Therefore, it becomes quite important to understand the power of studying in such a country. An MA degree in the US can be highly beneficial due to the opportunity of working in some of the top companies in the world. 

• Diverse Educational Opportunities

With home to several thousand universities and colleges, US ranks among the top country providing high-quality education and educational opportunities to enthusiasts from all around the world. The universities in US stress on high educational principles, practical and industrial experience along with high academic education. Pursuing MA from the US opens a diverse range of specialization fields which are globally recognized.

• Advanced Technology

The US is known to be the leader of technology and scientific techniques and so they are committed to delivering these valuable resources to their students. The universities and colleges in the US ensure that students are equipped with the latest trends of art and culture along with science and engineering. Moreover, students stay connected with teachers, researchers, and experts in the field worldwide.

• Amazing Campus Life

The benefit of studying in the US is experiencing American culture, meeting new people and developing bonds. There are a number of student clubs (art, social science, photography, dance, music, etc) and social and cultural organizations to match with an array of student interests. In short, the US universities and colleges are a blend of academic, athletic and cultural significance.

• Strong Support Services for International Students

Navigating your way through issues of daily life can be challenging in a new place. However, there is a range of orientation programs for international students in American colleges. They provide a safe and enriching learning environment for students to not just develop academically but grow as confident and independent individuals.

Also Read: Study in USA – The Land of Opportunities

MA in USA: Highlights

In the US, a Master of Arts can be obtained as a terminal degree (also known as a master’s in passing) or as a master’s degree while pursuing a Ph.D. A thesis based on independent study is required to be written in the final year in order to earn a Master of Arts degree.

Duration	1-2 Years
Exams Required	IELTS, TOEFL, GRE (depends on subject requirement)
Average Fees	35,000-55,000 USD
Average Salary	68,000 USD annually
Popular Specialization	MA in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, International Relations
Post-Study Program	1 Year post-study under OPT
Popular Recruiters	Ally Financial Inc., Amnesty International, Capital One Financial Corp.

MA in USA: Understanding the Degree Program

An MA or Master of Arts is a postgraduate degree course awarded by universities in many countries in Linguistics and Communication Studies, Public Administration, Diplomacy, History, Political Science or any other subject within the scope of Social Sciences and Humanities. 

Let us explore the subject areas of MA in USA and help find the right one for you:

MA in USA: Humanities

The students are trained to think critically and ethically with the historical knowledge allowing them to interact in the various spheres of life. 
Major subject areas include:

• English Studies
• General Studies
• History
• Languages
• Literature
• Philosophy

MA in USA: Law

Students gain knowledge about the working and operation of legal systems around the world. This is a professional area of study for individuals looking for opportunities in international law firms.
Major subject areas include:

• Civil Law
• Public Law
• Criminal Law
• International Law
• Legal Advice
• Legal Studies

Also Read: A Detailed Guide to Start a Career in Law

MA in USA: Social Studies and Media

This course talks about the interaction of human beings in society. Moreover, students are exposed to practical opportunities in film and media.
Major subject areas include:

• Economics
• Social Science
• Sociology
• Human Geography
• Politics
• Public Administration
• International Development
• Journalism
• Media
• Film and Television
• Photography
• Writing

MA in USA: Education and Training

This course deals with the development and learning of various educational aspects and gaining hands-on experience at a school or university to implement training techniques in teaching programmes.
Major subject areas include:

• Adult Education
• Career Advice
• Education Learning
• Special Education
• Childhood Education

MA in USA: Creative Arts and Design

Allows students to develop creative talent and practical knowledge of visual works like fine arts, product design, computer graphics and video games designing.
Major subject areas include:

• Art
• Crafts
• Music
• Dance
• Graphic Design
• Interior Design
• Fashion and Textile Design
• Theatre and Drama Studies

MA in USA: Personal Care and Fitness

This course involves an understanding of the physical and aesthetical components of human beings. It has a wide range of really interesting courses covering domains like beauty, hair and therapies for a healthy lifestyle.
Major subject areas include:

• Health and Fitness
• Beauty Therapy
• Therapeutic

Also Read: Study in USA Without IELTS

Admission Requirements

The deadlines for applying to universities in US are usually during the Fall session. Application deadlines are in December for Fall and October for Spring. Deadlines for each university or selected MA specialization also vary in some cases. Some universities have rolling admissions. Thus, applicants can apply any time throughout the year. 

The general admission requirements to study MA in the US are:

• 16 years of education
• 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field
• 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors
• GRE score of 330 or above if required
• Obtaining a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the online test (iBT)
• Achieving an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.5.
• Research Internships preferred
• Participation in projects which enhances the applicant’s understanding of the methodology while applying for Master of Arts in US.
• Research Papers published in a good conference add greater value in selection.
• Social & Leadership Activities

Documents Required

As a part of the application process, you must submit a list of documents to enrol in Thomas Jefferson University undergraduate and postgraduate accounting courses. You are also required to pay an application fee of USD (INR 12,428), which is non-refundable as a part of the application process. Here is a list to help you with the documents required for the application.

• LOR
• SOP
• Official Transcripts
• Academic Transcripts 
• Language proficiency test score 

Cost of Studying

The average tuition fees in a public state university are 35,000 USD and a private university fee is around 55,000 USD. Since the USA is one of the most expensive student destinations for international students, applicants must be familiar with the estimated budget to study in US. A substantial additional price that overseas students will incur is the cost of living in the United States. The annual costs of living in the United States, which include the price of food, transportation, and other expenses, are listed here.

Expense	Average Expenditure (USD)
Rent	1,000-2,000
Meals	30-40 (one-meal)
Transportation	100-300
Personal Expense	300-600
Health Insurance	450-700
Internet Pass	794

MA in USA: Top Universities and Colleges

USA is known for being an ideal destination for international students aspiring for higher education because of its high-quality teaching and research programs. A Master of Arts degree in subjects of Arts and Humanities can be really tempting with a wide range of career opportunities in one of the most advanced countries of the world. American education aims to help students develop skills and expertise in their desired field to transform them into leaders of tomorrow. Because of this, American universities and colleges are equipped with advanced technology and exemplar curriculums.

Below is a list of top universities and colleges offering an MA in the respective field of Humanities, Law, Social Studies, Media, Education, Creative Art and Design, Personal Care and Wellbeing, etc.

• Stanford University
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Yale University
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of California, Berkeley
• Columbia University
• University of California, Los Angeles
• Duke University
• Cornell University
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan

Career and Scope

2.7% of the US economy, or 476,452 million USD, is allocated by the US government to R&D. As a result, earning an MA in the USA increases your chances of finding funding for your research, whether you decide to continue it alone or as part of a master’s to doctoral programme. Designations and the scope of work depend on the MA specialties chosen by the student. Popular MA programmes in the US are listed below, along with their typical yearly salaries:

Degree/Specialization	Job Roles/Designations	Average Annual Salary (USD)
MA in Economics	Economist, Financial analyst	78,669
MA in Statistics	Statistician, Strategy Consultant	79,952
Master of Public Policy	Policy Analyst, Research Associate	71,137
MA in International Relations	Intelligence Analyst, Program Manager Non-Profit Organisation	73,776
MA in Psychology	Professional Counselor, Therapist	61,468
MA in International Economics	Economist, Business Development associate, research and data analyst	81,236
MA in Fine Arts	Graphic designer, interior designer, UX designer	61,103
MA in History	Archivist, historian	58,442
MA in Education	Secondary school teacher, special education teacher	58,921

Top Recruiters

• Ally Financial Inc.
• Ingram Micro Inc
• Gensler
• Walt Disney Company
• Out of Door Academy
• Amnesty International
• US Department of Treasury
• American Leadership Academy
• Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union
• Capital One Financial Corp

Post-Study Work Permit in USA

After finishing their first year of college, candidates can look for jobs designed just for overseas students. Students can make between $40 and $50 per hour. The entire amount comes to $450 each month, which takes care of living expenses.

• Optional Practical Training: International graduate students can work in the US for a year after receiving their degrees thanks to Optional Practical Training.
• Curricular practical training: International graduate students can receive work experience relevant to their subject of study through co-operative education, paid or unpaid internships, and other forms of curricular practical training.

OPT and CPT cannot be used in tandem. An applicant cannot choose OPT and CPT at the same time if the applicant has already chosen CPT. Off-campus employment is not permitted under the work-study programme.

FAQs

Pursuing an MA in USA brings you to the land of opportunities allowing you to discover your inner talent and artistic nature in the field of humanities and arts. If you are unsure about which specialization to choose in MA, experts at Leverage Edu can guide you in selecting the right MA program to kick-start your career.