Popular Master of Arts courses

Believe it or not, pursuing an MA degree program has always been high in demand. Some pursue it to specialize in a particular subject, while others want career growth through an MA degree, and some go for it due to their intense passion for learning. Do you fall into any of these categories of people who want to enroll in an online MA program? With so many bestMA degree courses available in subjects like English, Journalism, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, and History, deciding which is best for you can be challenging. Career goals and personal interests play a significant role in making the right decision to pursue an MA degree course. To explore a lucrative career, you need to choose the best subject for MA.

Read through this post and learn about the in-demand master of arts specializations and career scope after pursuing them from a top-notch university like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU).

Best MA courses to pursue 

Choosing the right MA specialization can be daunting, but worry not, as we are here to enlighten you with all the popular MA degree programs so that you can make an informed decision in line with your career goals. 

The table below enlists the 7 top-rated MA courses and programs:

Master of Arts (MA) Course	Key Career Prospects
MA in English	Writer, Publisher, Editor, HR Manager, Academic Researcher, and so on
MA in Political Science	Policy Analyst, Academician, Diplomat, Political Journalist, etc.
MA in Sociology	Social Worker, HR Specialist, Sociologist, Healthcare Analyst, and so on
MA in Psychology	Clinical Psychologist, Child Psychologist, Counselor, and so on
MA in Journalism	Journalist, PR Manager, Content Manager, Media Analyst, and so on
MA in Economics	Economist, Policy Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Financial Analyst, and so on
MA in History	Historian, Archaeologist, Archivist, Documentary Filmmaker, and so on

MA in English 

Master of Arts (MA) in English is a 2-year post-graduation degree program that revolves around the study of literature and language. It is a popular course often chosen by those who wish to deepen their understanding of the English language and explore the diverse literary traditions. English can be considered as one of the best subjects for MA, because individuals can explore a plethora of job options across sectors. Pursuing an online MA in English from a top-rated university like Sikkim Manipal University helps a student hone critical thinking, communication, and writing skills. 

Scope of MA in English: Pursuing an MA in English opens a gateway to exciting career options based on sharp verbal and written skills. An MA in English graduate can fetch numerous career prospects as a Journalist, Writer, Editor, Translator, PR Manager, HR Manager, and so on. 

Have a look at the table below to understand the top 5 career opportunities open for MA in English graduates:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Content Specialist	Creating engaging content for organizations, books, and online platforms	INR 6,70,995 per annum
Editor	Editing and proofreading written content	INR 6.15 lakh per annum
Journalist	To cover news stories and events for newspapers and magazines	INR 6,70,572 per annum
PR Manager	Managing communication between an organization and its audience through speeches and press releases	INR 9.83 lakh per annum
Translator/ Interpreter	To translate and interpret in English using excellent communication skills	INR 5.4 lakh per annum

MA in Political Science

Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science is a 2-year postgraduate degree course focusing on teaching various facets of the political realm. MA in Political Science is among the best MA courses to pursue because individuals can explore corporate and government jobs. Political theory, political economy, comparative politics, and international relations are among the main subjects covered in the online MA in Political Science program at esteemed universities like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU). The main objective of this course is to help students improve their analytical and critical research abilities.

Scope of MA in Political Science: Graduates with an MA in Political Science degree in hand can bag employment in a variety of fields, including law, international organizations, government and public administration, research, etc.

Have a look at the table below to understand the top 5 career prospects for an MA in Political Science graduate:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Political Reporter	Covering political events, developments, and elections for media	INR 6 lakh – INR 7 lakh per annum
Political Analyst	To analyze political trends, developments, and policies and provide insights to media and political parties	INR 9.15 lakh per annum
Diplomat	To represent a country and negotiate agreements with other nations	INR 1,40,97,963 per annum
Public Affairs Specialist	Managing communication between the public and organization in a non-profit, government, or corporate setting	INR 8,43,400 per annum
Political Consultant	Responsible for offering expertise for political campaigns	INR 7 lakh per annum

MA in Sociology 

Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology is a 4-semester postgraduate program that focuses on teaching various facets of society and human behavior. The main course curriculum of an MA in Sociology covers the fundamentals of sociology and visual studies. An MA degree program helps enhance the social skills of an individual. After pursuing an online MA in Sociology degree course, a person can use the right social science tools to address various societal issues.

Scope of MA in Sociology: An online MA in Sociology graduate gets equipped with the knowledge to understand social theories and perspectives. After pursuing an MA in Sociology, a person can easily make a career as a researcher, consultant, sociologist, educator, policy analyst, and so on.

Have a look at the table below to understand 5 top career options after pursuing an MA in Sociology from a top university like Sikkim Manipal University:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Sociologist	To conduct research on social trends, issues, and behaviors for a better understanding of society	INR 4 lakh per annum
Policy Analyst	Responsible for analyzing social policies and recommending them to NGOs and government agencies	INR 9,11,345 per annum
Social Worker	To provide support and advocate for individuals and families facing social challenges	INR 8 lakh per annum
Human  Resource Specialist	Responsible for applying sociological insights for better employee and organization relationship	INR 10 lakh – INR 12 lakh per annum
Healthcare Analyst	To analyze social factors that influence health outcomes of public	INR 4,80,807 per annum

MA in Psychology 

Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology is a 2-year postgraduate degree program that trains an individual in various fields of psychology. The core curriculum of MA Psychology includes topics such as psychological theories, research methods, statistical analysis, therapy techniques, and counseling methods. After pursuing an MA in Psychology program, a person can evaluate another person’s behavioral disorders and mental status. 

Scope of MA in Psychology: From clinical psychology, counseling psychology, health psychology, educational psychology, and forensic psychology to industrial organizational psychology, MA in Psychology graduates can make a career in different fields of psychology.

Have a look at the table below to understand the top 5 career prospects after an MA in Psychology degree:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Clinical Psychologist	Responsible for providing therapy and counseling services to individuals	INR 1,471,652 per annum
Counselor	To work in community centers, schools, and organizations to support individuals dealing with life challenges	INR 5.1 lakh per annum
Child Psychologist	To focus on the psychological development and well-being of children	INR 14,00,868 per annum
Human Resource Specialist	Responsible for using psychological insights in hiring employees and training them	INR 10 lakh – INR 12 lakh per annum
Forensic Psychologist	To work with the criminal justice system and understand criminal behavior	INR 593,218 per annum

MA in Journalism 

Wish to become successful in the media and journalism industries? Then, pursue a Master of Arts (MA) in Journalism, a 2-year postgraduate degree course designed for budding journalists. The main topics covered in the MA in Journalism curriculum are investigative journalism, digital journalism, multimedia journalism, media ethics, and news reporting. Students who pursue an MA in Journalism get the ability to manage editorial teams, make strategic decisions, and look after media companies.

Scope of MA in Journalism: An MA in Journalism graduate can easily adapt to evolving trends in media and communication. One can fetch exciting job opportunities in news media, digital media, online journalism, broadcast journalism, public relations, etc.

Have a look at the table below to figure out the top 5 career opportunities for an MA in Journalism graduate:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Journalist	To cover news stories and events through newspaper, TV, radio, and online platforms	INR 6,70,572 per annum
Media Analyst	To analyze media coverage, media trends, and audience engagement	INR 450,000 per annum
Digital Content Creator	Create engaging content for online platforms through social media management	INR 4 lakh per annum
Content Manager	Ensuring quality and consistent content production for an organization	INR 5 lakh – INR 11 lakh per annum
Public Relations Specialist	Responsible for managing an organization’s communication through press releases, media inquiries, and so on	INR 9.83 lakh per annum

MA in Economics

A 2-year postgraduate degree program called the Master of Arts (MA) in Economics is chosen by students eager to comprehend economic theories and principles in great detail. Numerous facets of economics are covered in the curriculum, including international economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics, and economic policy. An MA in Economics degree course is ideal if one wants to refine analytical and quantitative skills. Again, it is one of the best MA courses to pursue as individuals can apply for government jobs or even prepare for government exams. 

Scope of MA in Economics: An MA in Economics graduate can grab lucrative career opportunities in the leading banking, finance, corporate sector, government, and public domains.

Have a look at the table below to understand the top 5 job prospects after pursuing an MA in Economics:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Economist	To conduct research and analysis to understand economic trends useful for businesses and governments	INR 11,71,394 per annum
Financial Analyst	Responsible for assessing financial data, market conditions, and trends for informed investment decisions	INR 5.6 lakh per annum
Health Economist	Responsible for studying the economic aspects of healthcare systems and analyzing healthcare policies and costs	INR 913,400 per annum
International Development Specialist	Working for international organizations or NGOs in various economic development areas	INR 15.7 lakh per annum
Market Research Analyst	To study market conditions and identify potential sales opportunities for a service or product	INR 4 lakh per annum

MA in History 

Students interested in specializing in history can enroll in a two-year postgraduate program called the Master of Arts (MA) in History. Cultural, social, political, economic, and other historical subjects are among the primary subjects covered in the MA in History courses. The ability to analyze historical data and interpret historical events is refined in students who opt to pursue an MA in history. 

Scope of MA in History: An MA in History graduate can grab exciting job opportunities in archives, museums, public history, academia, publishing, editing, and government or public policy. 

Have a look at the table below to check the best 5 career options open for an MA in History graduate:

Job Profile	Role and Responsibility	Approximate Salary
Historian	Responsible for conducting research and understanding the past	INR 10 lakh per annum
Historical Consultant	To offer expertise to filmmakers and authors to ensure historical accuracy	INR 1,131,904 per annum
Archaeologist	Responsible for exploring and excavating historical sites to uncover artifacts	INR 8 lakh – INR 10 lakh per annum
Archivist	To organize historical documents and records for libraries and museums	INR 950,172 per annum
Documentary Filmmaker	Creating documentaries using historical knowledge for the audience	INR 4 lakh per annum

Conclusion 

To sum up, career prospects with various master of arts degrees may vary depending on the subject you choose. No matter which online MA degree you decide to pursue, if pursued from a university like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) through the Online Manipal platform, it will empower you to deepen your knowledge and contribute meaningfully to your chosen field. SMU offers UGC-entitled degree courses both online and offline so that you can choose according to your convenience. So, be a part of SMU’s robust alumni network by enrolling in an online MA course and specialize in your preferred stream with the help of expert faculty.