How To Get Master’s Degree Without Bachelor Degree – In practical terms of educational dictations, having a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for pursuing your master’s degree. However, even though quite rare, you can earn your Master’s degree without going through a bachelor’s degree. Some schools allow students who meet certain requirements to pursue their master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree.
So, are you looking to pursue your master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree? Even though uncommon, it is possible. Below is a comprehensive article on how to get a master’s degree without bachelor degree. Read on.
Steps How To Get Master’s Degree Without Bachelor Degree
Here is how to jump to your master’s by going through a bachelor’s degree;
1. Benefit from your work experience
The first step is to take advantage of your work experience, especially in the field you are applying for your master’s. Hands-on training/knowledge is among the top most recognized methods of learning that lets you acquire the skills offered at several universities. Through experiential learning, you may have already garnered several concepts related to the field you want to pursue.
So, regardless of the field, you have your work experience in, ensure to take advantage of that when applying for a Master’s program. Some universities accept these years of work experience as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and can admit you directly into a master’s program.
In essence, when you have about six to eight years of experience in a recognized field, you have a significant chance of getting admitted to the master’s program. Also, applicants with associate degrees and other relevant certificates have added advantages over others.
2. Ensure to have a professional certificate or an associate degree
As stated earlier, another thing that gives you an added advantage is having a professional certificate or an associate degree. Even though a bachelor’s degree is viewed as a gateway to a master’s program, not everyone can pursue it. Some students enroll for their bachelor’s degree and were unable to complete it due to financial pressure.
Students who weren’t able to complete or pursue their bachelor’s degree due to financial issues have other alternatives, including certificate programs and associate degrees. Alongside relevant work experience, students with an associate degree, a certificate, or any relevant credential, have higher chances of being admitted to a master’s program
This means that at the right school and with the appropriate master’s program, you might be considered for admission into the Master’s program if you have any of the above qualifications.
3. Use your degree to enroll in another field
Do you already have a bachelor’s degree but you want to pursue a completely different field in your Master’s degree? Probably you realized you are better off in another field or you might want to explore a particular field but you are not interested in undergoing a bachelor’s degree. Well, it is quite possible even though uncommon. By doing so, you open up numerous career opportunities for yourself.
With your undergraduate degree, regardless of your field of study, you can earn a Master’s in Human Resources, a Master’s in Business Administration, a Master’s in Nursing, a Master’s in Journalism, a Master’s in Social work, a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, etc. The above graduate programs are some of the programs that do not require an undergraduate degree in the same area of concentration.
4. Apply for a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program
Another option to getting your master’s degree without first going through a bachelor’s program is taking the integrated Master’s program. The integrated Master’s program is a program designed to help students acquire both their bachelor’s and Master’s degree together.
Another option is to apply for a dual program. A dual program involves the combination of two degrees into one. This is a great way to expand your career opportunities and complete two classes of degree within a shorter period. Popular fields that offer dual programs and do not need a bachelor’s degree include engineering, Education, Nursing, Accounting, Psychology, Humanities, etc.
There you have it! Above are the top four steps on how you can earn your Master’s degree. With the above steps, you don’t need to go through a bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, ensure to confirm from the school’s website if they offer the program you want to pursue before proceeding with your application.
Names Used In Referring Masters programs Without A Bachelor’s degree
Depending on the institute, a Master’s Program Without going through a bachelor’s degree is called several terms. However, below are the most popular names used for the program;
- Dual Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree
- Bachelor and Master Combined Programs
- BS / BS / MAT/ 5th Year Master’s Degree
- Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
- Integrated Bachelor and MBA
- Accelerated Degree Programs ( 3 +1) (4 +1)
Schools Offering Master’s Degree Programs Without Requiring A Bachelor’s Degree
As stated earlier, before applying for a Master’s Degree without having a bachelor’s degree, ensure the school offers such a program. Below is a list of some of the schools to consider when applying for a Master’s without a Bachelor’s degree program.
- Boston University
- American University
- Arizona State University
- Brenau University
- Stockton University
- Regis University
- Capella University
- The University of South California
- South University
- Kent State University
- Penn State University
- Excelsior College
- The California University of Pennsylvania
- Central Michigan University Global Campus
1. Boston University
Boston University allows students to partake in five-year bachelor’s / Master’s programs in different fields. These programs include;
- Chemistry
- Public health
- Biotechnology
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Economics
2. American University
American university offers combined Bachelor’s and masters programs in different fields. These fields include political science, Chemistry, Biology, Anthropology, Statistics, Art History, etc.
3. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers renowned accelerated master’s degree programs that are completed in five years. The programs do not require a bachelor’s degree. The programs offered are;
- Computer science
- Criminal justice programs
- Accountancy
- Global Health
- Mathematics
- Public Administration
4. Brenau University
Brenau University is popularly called the Women’s university. The school offers master’s degrees without a bachelor’s degree. The university offers a combined degree program in interior design program.
5. Stockton University
Stockton University also offers different dual degree programs. This means that students receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees when they graduate. Some of the programs offered at the school include;
- Environmental Science
- Criminal Justice
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Business Administration
- Physician’s Assistant
5. Regis University
Regis University also offers several combined master’s programs that do not require a bachelor’s degree. These programs include;
- Environmental Biology
- Criminology
- Organizational leadership
- Software engineering
- Accounting.
6. Capella University
Capella University is another excellent university offering master’s programs without requiring a bachelor’s degree. The school offers online and offline classes to students. The school has several Master’s degrees without bachelors programs, including;
- Public health
- CyberSecurity
- Human Resource Management
- Healthcare management
- Health Administration
- Psychology
7. The University of South Carolina
Another university to pursue your master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree is the University of South Carolina. The university offers an excellent BA or BS/MT in teaching.
8. South University
This university allows students to pursue an online Master’s Degree program in Nursing without having a bachelor’s degree. However, the school only considers applicants with associate degrees.
9. Kent State University
This learning institution offers a vast number of dual degree programs. These programs can be taken online or offline, depending on the course. Below are popular programs offered at the school that allows you to obtain a Master’s Degree without going bachelor’s.
- Speech Pathology
- Public health
- Fashion Merchandising
- Business Administration
- Nursing.
10. Penn State University
Penn State University is another school offering a master’s degree program without a bachelor’s degree. The schools have an integrated Master’s degree in Accounting, that is a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and an MBA.
11. Excelsior College
Founded in 1971, Excelsior College is a prestigious college that offers vast programs in dual degree programs. Students can take this program online and offline. Some of the Master’s programs that do not require a bachelor’s include;
- CyberSecurity
- Nuclear engineering
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Information technology
- Business
13. California University of Pennsylvania
Another school on our list is the California University of Pennsylvania. The school offers combined degrees, which allow students to earn their master’s degree without a bachelor’s. These programs include;
- Criminology
- Arabic
- Clinical Mental Health Counselling.
14. Central Michigan University Global Campus
Central Michigan University Global Campus offers accelerated master’s degree programs without requiring a bachelor’s degree. These programs can be taken online and offline. These programs include;
- Community development
- Administration
- Integrated Leadership Studies
Conclusion
There you have it! Above is a comprehensive guide on how to get a Master’s degree without bachelor degree. Ensure to make further research about the programs and get familiarized with the requirements before proceeding with your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can earn your Master’s degree without going through a bachelor’s degree.
No, to get admitted into a Master’s degree in education, you need to first get a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Yes, you can earn your Master’s degree in a different field.
References
https://studyabroadnations.com/masters-degree-without-bachelors/
https://scholarshipshall.com/how-to-study-masters-degree-without-bachelors/
https://www.gradschoolcenter.com/earn-masters-degree-without-bachelors-degree/
https://onlinepostgrad.com/blog/masters-without-bachelors/