Someone told me that it is possible to get a master's degree in a field other than your bachelor's, is it true

Question

For example if you have a bachelor's degree in graphic arts can you get a master's in English?

Answer 1

Yes, many master's programs will have specific undergraduate requirements though. If you want into an MA in English then you're going to need about 30 hours of undergrad English (including Lit Crit and Adv Grammar & Comp) for most programs.

I have a BA in Music and a BSc in Liberal Arts and had no trouble at all getting into an MA in Human Resources Development or the MBA.

I have a friend that got her BA in Music and then entered an MS in Instructional Technology. Another got his BA in Music and is now studying law.

In fact, a lot of us music degree holders get graduate degrees in some other field. ☺

The important thing is that you have undergraduate preparation in your subject area. If you don't, you will have to complete additional graduate courses to catch you up.

Keep in mind though - an MA in English is about studying language or literature -- it's not about writing. For a writing program at the graduate level you'd want to find an MFA and they'd be more interested in your portfolio than your undergraduate major.

An MA in English is also not what you want if you want to teach public school English. For that you'd want to find an MAT with English/Language Arts certification.

note: even in the sciences, you can get accepted to study at the graduate level if you have the undergraduate preparation. I was accepted into an MS in Marine Science but decided that it would kick my tail without a Marine Sci bachelor's to build on. I also did some work on an MS in Space Studies (that I will go back to one day) just for self-interest. It's all about your ability to do the work - not about your undergrad major. If you show that you are able, you can get in.

Answer 2

Not usually. It IS possible to get a master's in some fields without having a bachelor's in the same field, but that isn't true in all fields. The MBA was designed to train people with bachelors degrees in things like engineering and economics in business, and there are other degrees (gerontology, family therapy, and library science come to mind) that do not exist at the bachelor's level. You could not usually, however, get a master's in the humanities or physical sciences if you didn't have a bachelor's degree in the same subject matter.

Answer 3

Yes, it's definitely possible. You may have to have taken a certain amount of undergraduate courses in that subject (perhaps a minor), but your major doesn't have to be that subject. Sometimes schools require you to take a 'pre-master's' program and upon completion of that (with a certain GPA) students are automatically accepted into master's programs. There are some programs that don't require 'pre-master's' or take from a range of undergraduate degrees.

Answer 4

There is definitely something in the navy or any other branch of service. They are always in need of people with science degrees. The pullups and pushups are no big deal you could work on those during OCS, start working now though as well. You are definitely well qualified for the military though especially with a masters in Biology

Answer 5

Yes, as long as you meet the entrance requirement for the Master's Degree program you want to go through.

Answer 6

yes u can... but there will be some pre-requisites that u will have to fulfill... u may have to take some extra classes or jus prove ur proficiency in the subject by taking exams etc. but it is entirely possible...

Answer 7

Yes. I did. You may have to take some undergrad prerequisites - but yes - you absolutely can! Go for it!