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This study was designed to investigate the factors that affect master's student persistence in the United States. More specifically, this study explored whether the following factors: students' background, institution's, academic, environmental and psychological influences, had a significant effect on whether a master's student persisted and/or earned a master's degree. While substantial research exists on the persistence of undergraduate and doctoral level students, little research had been done on master's student persistence. Master's student enrollment is becoming increasingly important for colleges and university, as well as providing enhanced educational opportunities for students. This study on master's student persistence was undertaken to identify issues students may face when working toward a master's degree. A conceptual model on master's student persistence was created and tested against a population of master's students at a large-sized university in the Northeast. Because master's students resemble non-traditional undergraduate students in age, level of attendance, and outside responsibilities, Bean and Metzner's (1987) model of non-traditional undergraduate student attrition was used to create the Master's Student Persistence Model. Student persistence models were analyzed for three types of master's programs: academic, professional training for a career, and credentialing for career advancement. Regression results demonstrated that student's age, involvement in departmental and professional activities and their intent to persist, significantly impacted master's student persistence. Analysis of the master's student persistence model revealed that the greatest influence on master's student persistence was intent to persist. In addition, findings suggested that institutions that provide enhanced support for older students; and that provide opportunities for students to become engaged in research, conferences and other professional/academic experiences, are likely to see improvements in their persistence rates of master's students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]