A professional master’s degree could be your next big career move

Illustration: TBS

Minhajul Islam works at an automobile company as part of their service team. He had climbed the corporate ladder at his company, but sensed that something was holding him back. He needed more than just experience to take the next step — he needed a master's degree. 

However, there was a problem: regular master's programmes overlapped with his work schedule.

Minhajul is not alone in this dilemma. Many professionals look for ways to continue education without putting their careers on hold. For Minhajul, the breakthrough came when he discovered professional master's programmes, which offered weekend classes that fit perfectly around his work schedule.

"Regular master's classes are on working days, and it's impossible to balance work and study. Then I discovered professional master's programmes, which are held on weekends. That way, I could keep my job and still pursue my degree," he explained. 

Minhajul, now enrolled in the WMBA (weekend MBA) programme at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Jahangirnagar University, is clear about his goal, "I want to learn while earning. This degree allows me to gain work experience and prepares me for promotions and career growth."

Associate Professor Dr M Sayeed Alam, Coordinator of the MBA/EMBA programme at East West University, said, "Every workplace now prioritises professional degrees. Professional master's programmes link industry with academia, addressing the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge. That's why I always recommend it for career growth.''

For Minhajul, the journey has been about more than just promotions. It is about becoming the best version of himself. "After completing my degree, I'll have both job experience and a stronger academic foundation. It's the perfect balance," he said.

Minhajul's story is becoming increasingly common in Bangladesh. Professionals in diverse industries, from business to healthcare, are opting for flexible, career-focused degrees that fit into their lives seamlessly.

A professional master's programme isn't just about career benefits. It's also a journey of self-discovery and growth. Beyond the career perks, a professional master's is a journey of personal transformation. Students develop critical thinking, time management, and resilience.

The pros and cons of professional master's degrees

For Minhajul Islam, one of the most significant advantages of pursuing a professional master's degree is its flexibility. 

"I can continue working at my job and pursue my degree at the same time. The weekend classes make it much easier to balance both my career and my studies, which is something traditional master's programmes couldn't offer," he said. 

"Every workplace now prioritises professional degrees. Professional master's programmes link industry with academia, addressing the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge. That's why I always recommend it for career growth.''

Dr M Sayeed Alam, Associate Professor and Coordinator, MBA/EMBA programme, East West University

This flexibility allows professionals to continue gaining work experience while furthering their education, making it the perfect option for those who need to stay in their jobs while advancing their qualifications.

Dr M Sayeed Alam highlights additional advantages of professional master's degrees, particularly in terms of staying up-to-date with industry demands. "One of the key benefits is that these programmes help students acquire the latest professional skills," he explained. 

However, he argues that for these programmes to stay relevant, courses should be updated regularly to meet modern professional needs.

Charles Aunkan Gomes, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at United International University, who is also pursuing a professional master's in Data Science at the same department, mentioned the opportunity for career growth as another significant benefit. 

"It gives professionals more practical knowledge in the relevant field, which opens doors for faster career advancement," he said. 

Charles believes that these programmes provide hands-on, real-world experience, which is highly valued in fields like Data Science, where practical skills are critical for success.

On the other hand, Nahida Jannat, an academic consultant who is pursuing her professional master's in Economics at North South University, points out that balancing work and study can be challenging.

"The weekend classes are intense because we have to cover the same number of credits in fewer but longer sessions. The academic pressure is much greater than in regular programmes. The intensive schedule can sometimes make it difficult for students to stay focused and manage their academic load effectively," she explained.

Where to pursue a professional master's in Bangladesh?

Almost all public and private universities in Bangladesh now offer professional master's programmes. These courses cover a wide range of fields, from business and healthcare to technology and the humanities. 

Students can find information about the programmes, admission requirements, tuition fees, and other details on the universities' official websites. 

Among the universities offering professional master's programmes, notable public institutions include Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University.

Dhaka University offers a variety of professional master's programmes across several faculties, including the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Faculty of Business Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Arts. Costs range from Tk190,000 to Tk295,000, depending on fee waivers and course duration.

Jahangirnagar University offers over 15 programmes, including weekend MBAs and master's in majors like English, Public Administration, and Economics. Fees typically range between Tk150,000 and Tk220,000.

Rajshahi University provides flexible options like evening MBAs and weekend master's in Law, Statistics, and Journalism, with fees ranging from Tk75,000 to Tk140,000.

On the other hand, notable private universities offering professional master's programmes include North South University, BRAC University, East West University, among others.

North South University provides evening MBAs and weekend master's programmes in disciplines such as Economics, Development Studies, Pharmacy, English, Law, and more, with fees ranging from Tk280,000 to Tk440,000.

BRAC University offers evening MBAs and weekend master's programmes in areas such as Biotechnology, Development Studies, CSE, TESOL, Applied Economics, Governance and Development, and many more. Fees range from Tk260,000 to Tk450,000, depending on fee waivers and course duration.

East West University offers evening MBAs and weekend master's programmes in fields like CSE, Pharmacy, etc. Fees range from Tk240,000 to Tk320,000, depending on waivers and course duration.