A profile of master's programs and the relationship of the master's to the doctorate in affiliated programs were studied, based on survey responses from 52 programs, 43 of which were public and 12 private. It was found that the master's degree is a professional, practice-oriented degree for those interested in entry and midlevel positions in higher education institutions. Administration/management and student affairs specialties dominate this degree, providing a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for both predoctoral and terminal degree candidates. Affiliated master's degrees place more emphasis on theory and research than master's only programs, which tend to emphasize methodology, practice, and job-related course content. While the master's degree is not a prerequisite for the doctorate in higher education, there is growing interest in its usefulness as a credential for nonacademic positions and in community colleges. Public universities are more likely to offer the master's degree in higher education and to provide more incentives to students through low tuition, assistantships, and campus employment (SW)