Our Counselors Answered:
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Reecy ArestyCollege Admissions/Financial Aid Expert & AuthorPayless For College, Inc.
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
If they complete all the necessary course work, why not.
Michael PuccioPresident/Advisor/Life CoachFuture First Advisors, LLC
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Generally speaking, you certainly can!
However, certain graduate-level programs might require that you complete some undergraduate-level coursework (prerequisites) relevant to intended graduate major. For instance, if you have a BA in business and decide that you want to apply to medical school, you may have to take (or have taken) a few undergraduate courses like Organic Chemistry, Biology, etc.
Best of luck!
Megan DorseySAT Prep & College AdvisorCollege Prep LLC
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
I can speak from personal experience, YES! My undergraduate degree is in Art & Art History and immediately after graduation I attended law school on full scholarship. While I don’t have proof of it, I think my arts background helped me stand out in a sea of history and political science applicants. Later, I completed a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Counseling. My arts major has never held me back. In some fields you will need to satisfy prerequisite courses before beginning a major. For example, I don’t have enough college science credit to enter medical school or get a Master’s in chemistry. But these courses can be taken alongside your arts classes or years later if you decide to change fields.
Michael PuccioPresident/Advisor/Life CoachFuture First Advisors, LLC
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Generally speaking, you certainly can!
However, certain graduate-level programs might require that you complete some undergraduate-level coursework (prerequisites) relevant to intended graduate major. For instance, if you have a BA in art history and decide that you want to apply to medical school, you may have to take (or have taken) a few undergraduate courses like Organic Chemistry, Biology, etc.
Best of luck!
Zahir RobbCollege CounselorThe Right Fit College
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
You can always earn a MA in a different subject area if you can get accepted to the program. Depending on the amount of coursework you completed during your undergrad experience, you may find this transition easier. If you find that you have a deficiency of units, they can be taken through a variety of platforms until you meet the requirements of the university.
Owen Hou
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Of course. A Master’s degree is designed for a career change in mind.
Edward LaMeireCEOLaMeire College Consulting (lameirecollegeconsulting.com)
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Of course! There are few Master’s programs that will restrict applicants based on undergraduate major; worst-case scenario, a student will be required to take a few spot classes here and there (e.g., econ and calc classes for an MBA; foreign language classes for certain humanities majors; and so forth).
Even with terminal degree programs, many students go in without a full background in the field. Master of Fine Arts programs, for instance, put most weight on the portfolio, not on the transcript. In a different vein, law schools weigh the transcripts heavily, but will not necessarily prefer one major to another.
Yana Geyfman
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Yes, unlike bachelor’s degrees master’s are about specialization and students do have a choice of receiving a different degree unless there are additional prerequisites for the master’s program (i.e. sciences/math)- make sure to review the requirements for each program especially the deadlines- please be aware that when applying to a master’s level program the process is different in comparison to an undergraduate admissions experience.
Tana Taylor-JukoEnglish Instructor
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Yes! You can get a Master’s degree in a different subject, but it is up to you to convince the admissions committee of why you should be admitted. I am a living example of this situation. As an undergraduate student, I studied Exercise Sports Science and received a B.S. in that field. Later, I decided that I was more interested in English, so I applied to a Master’s program and explained why I was interested and committed to the field. Later, I received my M.A. in English. It is absolutely possible.
Carlos Dangelo
Can students still get a Master’s degree in a different subject?
Sure. There is no impediment in getting a degree in a different but related subject matter