Master′s Programs: Key Issues of Development

The article provides an overview of the Russian Master's program trends with an emphasis on the evolution of the curricula and the achievement of their new quality. Based on the secondary data analysis, the dynamics of the processes was assessed and the landscape of empirical studies of the second level of higher education was presented. A number of discussion issues related to the understanding of the present and future of Master's programs was outlined. The conclusion is made about the growth of interest in involvement in the Master`s programs. It was revealed that the development of different types and formats of curriculum with a focus on both foreign practices and Russian experience can be observed. It was proved that the most important decisions related to educational programs are focused on the formation of the Master's program product portfolio, the determination of strategic alternatives for its development, the choice of program management models and the development of external partnerships of universities to create new generation programs. It is becoming important for the academic community to find an answer to the question of new emphasis and approaches to the design of the educational process for the second level of higher education. The author comes to the conclusion that the efforts to develop Master's programs should be supported by «targeted» research, the results of which should form an information basis for making strategic and tactical decisions.