MA – Master of Arts, or M.A., is a postgraduate degree. It is a large subset of culture that encompasses a variety of expressive fields. Visual arts, literary, and performing arts, such as music, drama, dance, film, and associated media, are all included in the field of arts. Master of Arts is a non-scientific course or programme that provides specialist education in a non-scientific area.
The programme is accessible in a variety of subjects, including English, Hindi, Regional Languages, Foreign Languages, and other areas of the arts. Depending on the institution offering it, it is usually a two-year curriculum spread out over two or more semesters. To obtain an M.A., one must pass four or five papers. Lectures, tests, and seminars are all part of master’s degree programmes in the arts.
Various universities in India offer master’s degrees in arts. The course and the medium of teaching can be in English, Hindi, or any other language that is available. Correspondence or distance education is an additional option for the Master of Arts programme.
What is MA?
With the growing popularity of arts and culture in all disciplines – entertainment, sports, journalism, and so on – the demand for specialists in the industry is growing. Furthermore, Art has always been an interesting subject for students who desire to see the world through a creative lens. As a result, the MA degree has become a very popular master’s degree in India and overseas.
In order to pursue an MA degree course, one can choose from a variety of specialisations, some of which are more popular than others. Various universities in India, on the other hand, require that you complete a bachelor’s degree in the specialisation that you wish to study during your MA degree programme.
The most appealing aspect of the degree programme is that it is offered in a variety of languages, including English, Hindi, and other regional dialects. As a result, candidates can complete the course in any medium they like. The M.A. programme is also available as a correspondence or part-time programme.
Why Choose MA?
Here is given below some of the reason which attracts you to pursue masters of art course.
- Student-teacher connection, mentorship, and collaboration are all important aspects of a Master of Arts degree.
- In comparison to M.Sc, the academic load is lighter, and the emphasis is more on practical and social applications and applications of theories and methodologies.
- There is a great deal of flexibility in credit selection, and the options are spread among a university’s numerous schools.
- Students who pursue an MA will have a deeper understanding of the subject they chose for their bachelor’s degree, which will be beneficial to them.
- Students will gain a better comprehension of the subject and develop critical thinking skills by studying master’s.
- In addition to Doctoral degrees, the faculty frequently consists of practising professionals. Your talents in research, logical reasoning and critical analysis would all benefit from an MA degree.
- It will also help you develop professionalism by improving your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to current challenges.
- Finally, problem-solving, writing and spoken expression, communication, and presentation abilities will lead to more work prospects than before.
- Because it is a master’s degree, the salary will be higher and the career advancement will be excellent.
MA Course Eligibility Criteria
MA is a specialised programme that provides students with an in-depth understanding of the topic they have chosen. The following are the requirements for admission to an MA programme.
- Holders of a bachelor’s degree (ideally in the arts) with a minimum 3- or 4-year duration (10+2+3 or 10+2+4). The degree must come from an Indian university approved by the UGC (University Grants Commission).
- At the graduate level, a minimum of 55 per cent aggregate is required.
- Candidates seeking a three-year degree programme must pass all topics from the first to the fourth semester, while four-year degree candidates must pass all topics from the first to the sixth semester.
MA Courses Admission Process
MA can be pursued in a variety of ways. Aspirants that are unable to pursue a traditional master’s degree can opt for a correspondence master’s degree. Applicants who want to take the course must first check the college’s eligibility requirements and then apply for the course (if eligible). Candidates will be shortlisted or chosen for the course depending on their graduation or entrance exam achievement (if any).
Learn about the numerous methods for pursuing a master’s degree in the sections below.
- Regular College – Attending a regular college is one of the most popular ways to pursue a master’s degree. In India, there are various colleges and universities that provide this service. Gargi College of Delhi University offers regular and full-time MA programmes in a variety of specialities. The eligibility conditions and prices, however, may differ in various ways. Students will be placed immediately upon completion of their degree.
- Correspondance – Open learning, correspondence, and remote education are all terms used to describe this type of learning. This strategy is useful for pupils who are juggling multiple tasks. Working students favour open learning because it allows them to effectively balance their education and career. The nicest thing about online education is that students don’t have to leave their jobs to get their MA.
- Evening College – As the name implies, they are colleges where classes are held in the evening. Classes normally begin at 6 p.m. and end between 9 and 9:30 p.m. This type of learning is beneficial to students who are employed and do not wish to leave their employment in order to pursue higher education. Evening classes are advantageous because they fall within the category of normal college classes.
MA Entrance Exams
The following are some of the most widely used M.A. entry exams.
- TISSNET
- IPU CET
- PU CET
- CUCET
- TUEE
- MGU CAT
- AUCET
- ITM NEST
- JNUEE
- CPGET (OUCET)
MA Course Preparation Tips
Here is given below some of the preparation tips for MA Entrance exam.
- Candidates should be well-versed in the Master of Arts subject they have chosen. To make the learning process easier, they can break the course into discrete modules.
- For entrance exam preparation, literary theory and criticism on different themes are equally crucial.
- Students should practise answering factual questions.
- For a better understanding, they might review previous papers and sample papers from the relevant entrance test.
MA Course Fee structure
The cost of an MA programme varies depending on the college. As an example, IGNOU, as an open institution, costs approximately INR 6000 per year for the curriculum. St. Xavier’s College, for example, may charge up to INR 74,000 for the same.
MA Specializations
MA programmes are available to students with a variety of concentrations to match their interests. Students can, for example, take MA history if they are interested in the subject, or philosophy, psychology, or English if they are not. MA English is a course for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in English and want to further their education in that discipline. MA English is a popular course among students who want to work as an English lecturer, translator, writer, or editor, among other professions. Other specialisations can be found in the following list.
- French
- German
- Hindi
- Spanish
- Chinese/ Mandarin
- Greek
- Latin
- Economics
- Political Science
- History
- Sociology
- Rural Studies
- Psychology
- Geography
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Social Work
- Anthropology
- Religious Studies
- Library and Information Science
- Archaeology
- Linguistics
M.A. Scope
There is a lot of opportunity to pursue an MA in any field. Students who have completed an MA programme, for example, will have a different perspective or a more advanced point of view on a certain subject.
- A Master of Arts degree will provide students with a solid academic foundation that will be extremely beneficial to their future careers. It also provides excellent work prospects for pupils.
- A master’s degree serves as a stepping stone toward a PhD. Students who have completed a master’s degree are eligible to pursue a doctorate because one of the key eligibility criteria for doctoral programmes is the completion of a master’s degree.
- Pursuing a master’s degree is akin to opening a door and discovering a world of possibilities in the field in which a student wants to work. Students with a master’s degree have more and better work options.
MA Job Profiles
Aspirants are invited to apply for the following positions.
- Human Resource Manager
- labour-management Relations Specialist
- Business Consultant
- Teacher & Lecturer
- Marketing Manager
- Lobbyist/Organizer
- Social Worker
M.A. Employment Areas
The following are the Employment sectors for all those who are completing their MA.
- Business Houses
- Consultancies
- Educational Institutes
- Foreign Affairs
- Industrial Houses
- Law Firms
- Management
- News & Media
- Public Works
- Tourism Industry
Salary after M.A.
Graduates with a master’s degree earn up to 28% more than those with only a bachelor’s degree. However, the pay gap between those with a bachelor’s degree and those with a master’s degree is large enough to motivate many people to continue their studies. The average salary of MA degree holder is between Rs. 50,000 to Rs, 1,50,000.
MA colleges
Here is given below the list of Some reputed colleges and universities to pursue MA courses.
- Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi
- Christ University, Bangalore
- St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi
- Miranda House, New Delhi
- Loyola College, Chennai
- Madras Christian College, Chennai
- Hansraj College, Delhi
- Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi
- Hindu College, New Delhi
- Fergusson College, Pune
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Frequently Asked Questions
There are 94 courses in the Master of Arts(MA) programme that a student can pursue after graduation.
A Master of Fine Arts degree is a wonderful option for students who desire to work as painters, photographers, or sculptors. A Master of Arts degree will provide you with a greater selection of classes and equip you for a wider range of employment prospects for individuals who desire a little more flexibility.
An MA is typically a final degree, but an MS prepares students to pursue doctoral degrees later. An MA is awarded to graduates of a variety of liberal arts programmes. Students who study historic preservation, fine arts, and other subjects can only earn an MA.
The M.A. in Education develops students’ ability to engage in discussions and analyses of educational theories in order to apply them to real-world situations, as well as provide competency in educational leadership.
Yes, you can pursue both a B. Ed. and an MA in the same year, but one must be regular and the other must be distance. Pursuing both a B. Ed. and an MA at the same time will save you time because you will have a post-graduate degree and the most desirable teaching degree, the B. Ed.