Do you need a Bachelors to get a Masters?

Do you need a Bachelors to get a Masters? Can you do a Master’s without a Bachelor’s degree? You have all the answers you are looking for here.

Naturally, getting a Master’s degree comes after getting a Bachelor’s. But there are some rare cases of exceptions. Find out everything you need to know about the subject matter below.

Do you need a Bachelors to get a Masters?

One may ask, can you do a Masters without doing a bachelor’s? Or simply ask, can you go straight to Masters?

A bachelor’s degree is usually required as a prerequisite for postgraduate study (Master’s degree). But there is still the possibility of earning a Master’s degree even if you have not completed your Bachelor’s.

As you may have seen, most universities insist on a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized and accredited university in order to proceed to a Master’s.

There are some exceptions to this rule. Some universities will allow you to pursue a master’s degree first. Also, some schools offer programs that do not require an undergraduate degree.

In addition, some universities will take into account your professional experience and other certificates and diplomas in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree when considering your application.

How to do Master’s without a Bachelor

You don’t need a Bachelors to get a Masters. Here’s how to do a master’s degree without a bachelor’s.

1. Leverage your professional experience

When considering your application, a university may favorably consider you for a Master’s degree rather than a Bachelor’s degree due to the knowledge you have gained through your employment or self-employment.

If you have work experience, whether, in business, sales, or as a computer programmer, those years on the job are valuable and may be recognized in a university application. You can explain your experience in your application, whether you were employed or self-employed.

Examples of Universities that accept your professional experience

a. Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University is one school that will consider your background when reviewing applications.

Typically, suppose you have five years of relevant experience or other qualifications (such as an associate’s degree or other certification). In that case, they will consider you for a postgraduate degree without an undergraduate degree. They also consider your professional experience, which should be at least seven years, for the possibility of receiving credit or “Advanced Standing” toward a postgraduate qualification.

b. University of Essex

The University of Essex is another example of a university that will consider your experience instead of an undergraduate degree. Their online MBA program accepts students without a bachelor’s as long as they can prove at least five years of relevant managerial experience.

 

2. Use other education/professional certificates or graduate diploma

Some universities consider other education/professional certificates or graduate diplomas in place of a bachelor’s degree.

Many people choose to obtain a community college professional certificate or diploma. You can also consider an associate’s degree, which can usually be completed in two years. It’s a short-cycle degree program that’s beneficial for working students who want to advance in their careers but can’t stop everything to get a full bachelor’s degree. Depending on your field of study, an associate’s degree can lead to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

If you have continued your education by earning certificates, this can be useful when applying for a master’s program. When considering an applicant’s background without a bachelor’s degree on their transcript, universities will look at post-secondary knowledge and experience.

Using your degree for post-graduate studies in anything field

Being able to earn a graduate degree without a related undergraduate degree can really open doors for tons of students.

Many students have an undergraduate degree but want to pursue a master’s program that is unrelated. This, however, is not always a problem. Many post-graduate degrees are completely acceptable with an unrelated bachelor’s degree.

Common master’s programs that do not always require a related bachelor’s degree include: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Counseling Psychology, Master of Human Resources, Master of Social Work, Master of Journalism, and Master of Nursing, to name a few.

Do you need a Bachelors to get a Masters? (Getting a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree)

There is a great option for one to earn a combined degree. This is through the integrated master’s program.

These types of degrees are becoming more popular.

An integrated master’s degree, also known as a “two-in-one” degree, is a program that combines a master’s degree with a different level of study, most commonly a bachelor’s. Instead of studying two separate degrees, this is a single, longer program.

When it comes to certifications, there are integrated programs that provide two separate qualifications. However, most of these programs award the more advanced of the degrees. That is, upon completion, you would receive a Master’s degree rather than a Bachelor’s degree. It also means that a bachelor’s degree is not required to apply for the program.

Advantages and disadvantages of the integrated master’s program

Here are the benefits and limitations of the integrated master’s program.

Advantages:

• You will accomplish two qualifications in one.
• This type of degree can appeal to many employers.
• Student loans cover integrated master’s programs.

Disadvantages:

• It takes a longer time.
• Not every subject is offered.
• Not always recommended if you want to go on to study for a Ph.D.
• A longer course can mean higher costs.

Universities that offer Bachelor/Master’s combined programs

Do you need a Bachelors to get a Masters? A number of universities offer two-in-one programs in which a bachelor’s degree is not required. Examples are presented below:

1. South University (For Nursing)

South University allows a Registered Nurse with an Associate’s Degree to pursue a Master’s in Nursing without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The program is 100% online.

Must Read: how to become a midwife without a nursing degree

2. Loyola University (For Science)

The Loyola University Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Applied Statistics program is five years in duration. The University is located in Chicago. The typical master’s program requirement to take the GRE is waived for students applying to this program. The application fee is also waived.

3. Penn State University (For Accounting)

The Penn State University integrated MAcc program (Bachelor of Science in Accounting and MBA program) is five years in duration.

• Students take a combination of undergraduate and graduate coursework during the fourth and fifth years of the program. Seamlessly earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five academic years while satisfying the 150-credit-hour requirement. In fact, most students complete the program in “9-tuition paying semesters,” with a professional internship during the program of study.
• Enroll in course sections reserved for students in the Integrated MAcc Program.
• Pursue a paid internship during the spring semester of the fourth year. Internships usually lead to full-time job offers.
• Consult with a dedicated MAcc Program academic adviser about course selections and career choices.
• Access the broad and deep pool of recruiters who annually visit Smeal to hire new talent.

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MicroMasters Program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy)

Get an MIT Master’s Degree Without a Bachelor’s Degree…

MIT’s Department of Economics offers a MicroMasters Program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy
The program starts with five free online courses, and after passing a proctored exam, students are awarded a MicroMaster’s and can then apply to MIT’s master’s degree program.

The different types of master’s degrees

There are typically two types of master’s degrees: pre-experience and post-experience.

Pre-experience master’s degrees do not typically require applicants to have any work experience. Post-experience master’s degrees, on the other hand, frequently require work experience in addition to relevant qualifications.

A typical MBA or EMBA is a post-experience master’s degree, whereas Karthik’s MIM program is a pre-experience master’s degree. This is due to the fact that an MBA or EMBA requires more years of work experience than a MIM candidate. INSEAD MIM applicants, for example, are not expected to have any work experience at all. In contrast, INSEAD MBA candidates have an average of six years of work experience, and EMBA candidates have an average of twelve.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, answering the question of if you need a Bachelors to get a Masters, in some cases, universities will accept you into a master’s without a bachelor’s. Instead of a bachelor’s, they may instead accept relevant work experience.

In a nutshell, it is possible to pursue a master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree. It depends on a variety of factors, including the specific university to which you are applying and the field of study.

It is instructive to note that a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field is far more likely to be accepted by a university than no bachelor’s degree at all.

Master’s degrees are typically divided into two types: pre-experience and post-experience. Pre-experience master’s degrees typically do not require applicants to have any work experience. Post-experience master’s degrees typically require work experience in addition to relevant qualifications. If you want to study for a master’s without a bachelor’s, you will most likely have to study for a post-experience master’s.

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