It is possible to do a master’s program without having a bachelor’s degree. Whether it is possible depends on a number of factors including the specific university you’re applying to and the field of study. Pre-experience master’s degrees do not normally expect applicants to have any work experience.
Most universities expect applicants for Masters study to have an undergraduate degree in a related field. However, you may be able to apply without a Bachelors if you can demonstrate relevant experience and your overall postgraduate application is very strong.
In the field of education, a Masters Degree has been seen as a huge advantage to those entering the job market. Unfortunately many people have been unable to pursue a Masters Degree as it would require them to take time off from work and significantly alter their lifestyles. A lot of hard working people do not have this luxury.
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Studying Masters Without A Bachelors Degree
There was a time when it was only possible to study for a Masters Degree (MA) if you had first completed a Bachelors Degree (BA) but nowadays it is possible to go directly to the higher degree. This option has becoming increasingly widespread because universities now recognise that a number of years within the professional environment can do much to prepare you for the rigorous demands of a Masters Degree without a Bachelors degree having been completed first.
Whilst this is certainly true and there are many things to be said for fast-tracking experienced professionals, there can be problems for the students themselves who have been out of academic life for some time as any kind of written work presents a challenge if it is not a regular part of your life.
The problem is that although universities have opened their doors to those who have more life experience than academic experience, they have not provided sufficient support for those returning to their studies after an absence from academic life.
This problem, as always, can be traced to a lack of time and funding. Universities would usually be only too happy to help with more individual attention if they had the time and the funding but they don’t, so sadly you are on your own.
However, we can offer you the help and security you need to pursue your Masters Degree without having completed your Bachelors Degree. This means that we will be able to assist you with any aspects of the Masters Degree course that you feel are beyond your scope but that with a little help, you could achieve.
Primarily, there is the problem of academic writing itself. You need to get back into the habit of researching and referencing correctly as well as compiling and structuring academic work. This is difficult enough when you have been used to doing it on a daily basis but after a long absence it can seem like a mountain to climb.
Nevertheless, remember that you have been judged to be capable of the Masters Degree for which you have been accepted and therefore you should not let the technicalities of academic life put you off. In addition, our Masters qualified experts can help you with all aspects of your Masters degree so there is really no need to worry about any aspect of it.
Our experts will research, reference, structure and write work for you to the highest academic standard. You can then use this as a guide for your own future work. Remember that studying for your Masters will help you in your ongoing professional development and this is a major reason why universities are encouraging people such as yourself to return to their studies. You have made the right choice in deciding to study for your Masters, so make another good choice and let us help to guide you all the way!
how to do a masters without a degree
Can you do a Masters without a degree UK? Can you do a Masters without a Bachelors degree? Most universities expect applicants for Masters study to have an undergraduate degree in a related field. However, you may be able to apply without a Bachelors if you can demonstrate relevant experience and your overall postgraduate application is very strong.
Postgraduate study usually requires a Bachelor degree as a prerequisite – but if you haven’t completed an undergraduate degree, earning a Masters qualification isn’t out of the question.
Here’s how to get your Masters without a previous undergraduate degree.
1. Leverage your professional experience
At Southern Cross University Online, you can use your professional experience to do an online Masters degree without having completed a Bachelor degree.
If you have five years’ experience in a relevant field or other qualifications that are equivalent to a Bachelor degree, you could be eligible to study at a postgraduate level without an undergraduate degree. And, if you have extensive professional experience (seven years and over), you could receive credit or ‘Advanced Standing’ towards achieving your postgraduate qualification.
Entry requirements and advanced standing does vary from course to course, so it’s best to speak with one of our Enrolment Advisors about Entry requirements and advanced standing do vary from course to course, so it’s best to speak with one of our Student Enrolment Advisors on 1300 589 882 to learn more about your preferred course.
2. Start with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma
If you’re considering starting a Bachelor degree as a pathway into postgraduate study, you should also consider enrolling into a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, and then progress into a Masters degree.
In the Australian Qualification Framework, a Bachelor degree is a Level 7, while a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma is Level 8. (A Masters qualification is Level 9.)
A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma takes less time to complete and is a higher level of study. For a Certificate, you’ll do four units of study and for a Diploma, you’ll do eight – all of which are nested in the Masters course.
3. Transfer your knowledge to another field
If you have an undergraduate degree, you can still pursue postgraduate study in another field. For example, you can study a Master of Business Administration or a Graduate Diploma in Accounting without a relevant undergraduate business or accounting qualification.
At Southern Cross University Online, we encourage you to build on transferrable skills in order to further your career potential. Depending on your level of workplace experience, and the discipline of your undergraduate study, you could be eligible to enrol into one of our postgraduate courses:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Healthcare Leadership
- Master of Engineering Management
- Master of Information Technology Management
- Master of Business Law
- Master of Laws (Business Law)
- Master of Project Management
Can You Get a masters without bachelors?
It’s definitely possible to earn a master’s without a bachelor’s. However, it is pretty rare, and most universities expect you to get a bachelor’s degree first. Here is a full guide to what you need to know.
It’s only natural to assume that getting a master’s degree is what comes after already having earned a bachelor’s. But truth be told, in some cases, there are exceptions as some universities will allow you to pursue a master’s degree first. There are schools that offer programs in which an undergraduate degree is not required. We’re going to take you through the ways in which you can get a master’s without a bachelor’s degree. Just note that most universities are still very traditional and getting a bachelor’s first is still a mandatory requirement.
Getting a Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree
Applying for a master’s program without a bachelor’s and banking on your personal and professional experience is one way of going about it as we went through above. But there’s also the option of earning a combined degree.
Source: Pexels
Integrated Master’s Programs
An integrated master’s, also called a “two-in-one” degree, is a program that combines a master’s degree with an additional qualification at a different level of study, most commonly with a bachelor’s. Instead of taking the two as separate degrees, this is studying one single, longer program. These types of degrees are getting more popular. There were 101,000 integrated master’s programs offered in the US as of 2014.
When it comes to certifications, there are integrated programs that offer two separate qualifications, however most programs of this kind award the more advanced of the degrees. That means you would earn a Master’s instead of a Bachelor’s upon completion. It also means that you don’t need a bachelor’s in order to apply for the program.
The Pros and Cons of an Integrated Master’s Degree
If you’re thinking of doing a two-in-one program, you might want to consider both the benefits and and limitations of such a degree.
The Pros:
- You accomplish two qualifications in one
- This type of degree can appeal to many employers
- Student loans cover integrated master’s
The Cons:
- Not every subject is offered
- Not always recommended if you want to go on to study a PhD
- A longer course can mean higher costs
Schools that Offer Bachelor/Master Combined Programs
There are a number of universities that offer two-in-one programs in which a bachelor’s is not a requirement. Take the following as examples:
Nursing: South University
- The top choice on Nurse Journal. Highly recommended and 100% online
- Allows a Registered Nurse with an associate’s degree to pursue a master’s in Nursing without a bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
Science: Loyola University
- The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Applied Statistics program is five years in duration and 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
Accounting: Penn State University
- The integrated MAcc program (Bachelor of Science in Accounting and MBA program) is five years in duration
- Paid internships are available in the senior year
Get an MIT Master’s 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.
Conclusion
We hope we gave you some insights into how you can earn your master’s degree without a bachelor’s. It’s becoming more popular as its being recognized as a real demand in some areas of study. However, make sure you do the appropriate research as to which university offers this kind of education opportunity. If you’re still considering earning a bachelor’s degree, University of the People has degrees in Computer Science, Business Administration, Health Science, and Education. You’re welcome to check them out and see how a tuition-free online degree could be perfect for you!
“With my time commitment to work, UoPeople was the perfect alternative. Classes are 100% online, so the work can be planned around your schedule.”
Jacqueline Freteluco
Business Administration, USA