Research on the development of the master's degree in the United States and its growth in the postwar technological era are reviewed within the context of tradition, diversity, and change. Research on structure and organization, curricular reform, quality control, and innovation is synthesized, and suggestions for future research are offered. The distribution by field of the 289,921 master's degrees conferred in 1982-1983 is shown, along with the number of subfields for each discipline. For 11 master's degrees, information is provided on the number of full-time years, the number of program areas, the number of credits, and the requirements for completion (practicum/field work, exams, theses, and research projects). Consideration is given to whether there are indicators to evaluate master's degrees and to efforts by a few states to monitor master's programs. The following major professional degrees are discussed: business and management, teacher education, engineering, fine and performing arts, health sciences, international education, journalism, law, library science, public administration, social work, and combined degrees. Abbreviations of organizations and a list of degrees are appended. (SW)