collageA high school diploma is your only prerequisite for admission into one of these universities. These programs are widely popular in engineering and business, but others provide an array of study options including linguistics, math, art, and more. One year masters programs in the Ivy League can be dedicated to one field entirely, or be interdisciplinary in nature. Either way, they are sure to enrich your mind with new ideas and skills.
Yes, it’s possible to complete a master’s program within the span of only 1 year. Typically, U.S. universities require students to complete 30 to 36 credit hours to get a master’s degree. To complete a master’s degree in 1 year, you will have to take more courses than a typical student will register in a semester.
As more and more people choose to earn a master’s degree, many students are now looking for faster ways to earn their degree, including one-year masters programs. These accelerated programs, while fast-paced and intensive, allowing you to earn your degree in less time than a regular, full-time master’s. Continue reading to learn about the common one-year master’s degree options, a one-year masters program in the USA, is Ivy League masters worth it, schools that offer degrees in each, and the benefits of earning a one-year master’s degree.
Common One Year Masters Programs
Fortunately, universities of the USA have a one-year master’s program. These accelerated programs which are a fast-paced and in-depth program, allows international students to earn their degree in less than regular time.
While many graduate schools offer a variety of one-year master’s programs, there are four fields that are some of the most common to offer it, which are:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Education
- Biomedical Science
The programs are vastly different and cover much different subjects, but still offer accelerated programs to help you pursue your degree in less time than a regular program. Keep in mind that because these programs are usually more intensive and require full-time status, many students find it difficult to work while earning a one-year master’s.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, which is why you should check out a variety of sponsored programs below to find the perfect match for you.
One-Year MBA Programs
One year, however, affords you the same opportunity for advancing your career without missing two years of working. In some cases, your employer may even be willing to hold your job while you’re gone, the chances of which are much less likely for two-year programs. There are many reasons to get a master’s degree.
One-year MBA programs are highly intensive and fast-paced, as they cover all of the topics and analysis that takes regular programs two years to cover. As a result, these programs cover core courses and electives usually in three terms (fall, spring, and summer), all as a full-time student.
Some MBA programs include learning experience courses, or ones that include simulations and action-learning projects that allow you to develop decision-making skills and overcome challenges you may face in the business world.
Common MBA Courses
Some of the common courses you may take while pursuing a one-year MBA are:
- Financial Reporting
- Data, Models, and Decisions
- Managerial Economics
- Supply Chain Management
- Innovation of Products and Services
Find one year master’s programs from partner institutions below.
List of One-Year MBA Programs
Accelerated master’s programs provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to concurrently earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, saving both time and money. Together they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to students around the world via an interactive forum.
1. Rochester Institute of Technology
Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology prepares students for successful careers in our global society through a blend of curricular, experiential, and research-driven degrees. Currently, there are more than 3,200 graduate students and the school has more than 125,000 alumni worldwide.
The Saunders College of Business at RIT offers a Fast-Track One-Year Master of Business Administration (MBA) that gives you unparalleled options to personalize your education and flexible scheduling opportunities, include the option to choose from a variety of concentrations, such as:
Concentration Options:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Management Information Systems
- Entrepreneurship
2. California State University, East Bay
As part of the California State University system for more than 60 years, Cal State East Bay has more than 130,000 alumni. The school offers access to higher education for a diverse student body and advances regional engagement through academic programs and leadership.
The One-Year Intensive MBA program is designed to prepare you for the challenges of the modern business world, including the rapidly changing, competitive, and global environment.
Concentration Options:
- Human Resources and Organizational Behavior
- Information Technology Management
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Strategy and International Business
- Finance
3. Babson College
An independent, not-for-profit higher education institution, Babson College has students that represent more than 80 countries around the world. In addition, Babson differentiates itself as creators and conveners of knowledge by offering highly ranked undergraduate and graduate programs.
The One-Year Master MBA at Babson strives to develop your entrepreneurial ability by thinking broadly to create economic and social value in any industry and in any role. Combined with a problem-solving approach enhanced through experiential learning, the MBA uniquely prepares you for today’s business world.
Many of these programs are designed to balance theory, education, and research, as well as the experience of applying this knowledge in real-world instructional settings.
Concentration Options:
- Global Management
- Corporate Financial Strategy
- Investments
- Marketing
One-Year Master’s in Education
While pursuing a master’s in education, one-year programs strive to teach you the skills and knowledge in specific concentrations to tailor your curriculum to help you become a person of influence and agent of change as a teacher, counselor, curriculum developer, or administrator.
Common Courses for MEd Programs
Some of the common courses you’ll take while pursuing a one-year MEd are:
- Foundations of Literacy Development and Instruction
- English-Language Learners in the General Education Classroom
- Instructional Leadership
- Management of School Resources
- Organization
Find one year master’s programs from partner institutions below.
List of One Year Online Master’s in Education Programs
1. Northeastern University
By focusing on experiential learning, Northeastern University strives to ignite discovery and make learning a lifelong endeavor. For more than 100 years Northeastern has been driven by the simple truth that experience deepens learning.
Northeastern offers a variety of Master’s in Education Programs, many of which can be completed in one year.
Concentration Options:
- E-Learning and Instructional Design
- Elementary Education
- Higher Education Administration
- Learning Analytics
- Learning and Instruction
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
2. University of North Texas
Designed as a caring and creative community to prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing world, the University of North Texas is one of the largest, most comprehensive public research universities in the country.
The College of Education at UNT offers a variety of master’s degrees in education, including a One-Year Master’s in Educational Leadership designed for educators who are looking to jumpstart their career as administrators, or for those looking to pursue other kinds of leadership roles.
3. California Baptist University
Founded in 1950, California Baptist University believes each person has been created for a purpose and CBU strives to help students understand and engage this purpose through a Christ-centered educational experience.
Many of the master’s degrees in education at CBU can be completed in as little as one year, though some students take longer to earn their degree. Often the specific length of your program depends on the concentration and if you choose to work while pursuing your degree.
Concentration Options:
- Educational Leadership
- Teaching
- Early Childhood Studies
One Year Master’s in Biomedical Sciences
Usually offered in a graduate school’s department of Biology and Chemistry or in the Medical School, master’s programs in biomedical sciences analyze topics in:
- Biomedical Data Science
- Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation
- Neuroengineering
- Genomics and Systems Biology
During these one-year programs, courses are focused on analyzing current research and theories in the field, and strive to teach a complete understanding of how traditional engineering fits into the biomedical topics.
Common Courses in Master’s in Biomedical Sciences
Common courses you may take while earning a one-year master’s in biomedical sciences include:
- Mathematical Foundations of Biomedical Engineering
- High Dimensional Approximation, Probability, and Statistical Learning
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Science
- Genetic Epidemiology
Find one year master’s programs from partner institutions below.
List of One Year Masters in Biomedical Sciences
1. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University believes that teaching and research go hand in hand, and that success in one depends on success in the other. For the past 140 years, they haven’t strayed from that vision, which is one of the reasons why JHU is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars.
Through theoretical instruction in traditional engineering disciplines and given exposure to specialized biomedical engineering topics, the Masters in Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in research and development, academics, or medicine and can be earned in as little as one year.
2. Liberty University
Founded in 1971, Liberty University has one mission: Training Champions for Christ. Now, Liberty is one of America’s leading Christian universities and champions the needs of others through prayer, service, and the gifts God gave us.
The Master of Science: Biomedical Sciences is designed to teach the skills and knowledge to students who want to pursue a doctorate, go on to medical school, or for those who wish to enter private industry.
Program Options:
- Liberty offers a one-year program and a two-year program.
Minimum GPA:
- One-year program requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
- Two-year program requires a 2.75 GPA.
3. Tufts University
A student-centered university dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Tufts University strives to be an innovative higher education institution of creative scholars across a broad range of schools.
The School of Medicine at Tufts offers a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, which is one of the newest initiatives to create a new access point to the medical school. Most of the full-year of coursework mirrors that of a first-year medical student, but requires a mentored research thesis for completion.
Program Options:
- Option of earning a dual master’s degree by combining the MBS with a Master of Public Health (MPH) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Benefits of Earning a One-Year Master’s Degree
One-year master’s programs are usually limited to certain subjects, but often these are some of the most popular programs available.
In addition to the benefits listed below, another perk of these fast-paced programs is that you’ll have the same curriculum as the regular programs. Keep in mind that though programs only take a year to complete, usually you are required to be a full-time student, which may make working full-time difficult.
Some of the benefits of one-year master’s programs are listed below.
1. Earn Your Degree in Less Time
Most full time students can earn a master’s degree in two years. By choosing a one-year program, you’re shortening the time it takes you to earn your degree and lessens the time it takes to return to your career and the job market.
2. May Cost Less
Many one-year graduate programs cost less in tuition than regular programs because it takes you less time to earn your degree, lowering the associated costs.
Of course, every school is different and if cost is one of the key factors in your decision-making process, then be sure to check with a number of schools and the options available at each.
3. Jumpstart Your Career
When you make the decision to pursue a master’s degree, you’re likely doing it to jumpstart your career. And, while fast track one-year programs can be intensive and require full-time status as a student, earning a master’s degree can prepare you for leadership roles and possible advancement, which is only one reasons why you should get a master’s degree.
4. Increase Your Professional Network
One of the key benefits of pursuing master’s degree programs, whether one-year, part-time, or regular, is the number of people you’ll meet who are likely to end up in your field. This includes your peers, classmates, and professors, but it also includes any guest speakers, lecturers, or professionals who come and give presentations.
Universities offer you opportunities to meet new people in your field, which may open doors to future jobs, organizations, and other opportunities.
Increase in Master’s Degrees Awarded
From 2014-15 to 2015-16, there were 13.7% more master’s degrees awarded in health sciences. In addition, first-time graduate enrollment in education increased 3% at the master’s level between the Fall of 2015 and the Fall of 2016.
how to get into ivy league for masters
If studying at an Ivy League university in the USA sounds like the holy grail for you, then you know your Master’s degree application is the key that opens it. But like many other students who dream big, you might be a little bit confused and maybe a little bit intimidated by the whole Master’s admission process.
After all, Ivy League universities are the most prestigious higher education institutions in the USA and getting into one of these schools is a highly competitive business. But with good information, you might be one of the brilliant students that will follow in the footsteps of great scientists, politicians, lawyers, humanists and businessmen who have started with a degree at an Ivy League school.
To help you, we are going to thoroughly explore what you need to know about applying to a graduate school at some of the 8 elite universities in the USA.
Masters at Ivy League universities are organised into graduate schools
Ivy League schools are private universities. When it comes to graduate studies a key thing to remember is that in most cases you will not apply directly to the university but to one of its graduate schools. Graduate schools are part of the university but only take in Master’s and Ph.D. students.
For example, if you want to pursue a graduate degree at Harvard University, you need to first know the subject you want to study and apply to the graduate school that offers a Master’s on that subject. Some examples are:
- Harvard Business School
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Harvard Law School
- Harvard Kennedy School
The same applies to Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania or Cornell University which are all Ivy League schools.
Because these universities do not have a centralised system of graduate studies, each school is responsible for establishing their own application procedure and requirements. That is why you should always check the admission details on the web page of the graduate school you want to apply to.
Luckily there are some common points for graduate admissions that apply to most schools. Up next we will look at relevant application information for Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Pennsylvania and Cornell.
Application requirements for Ivy League schools
To put it simply, there isn’t a single magic formula to apply to an elite American school. Students who get accepted come from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, but it is ultimately up to each Admissions Committee to evaluate if there’s a right mix between your goals, academic record, and experience and what the university has to offer.
In general, you need the following in order to be eligible to apply to a graduate program at an Ivy League school:
- the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree
- transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions you have attended (GPA included)
- proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE)
- Standardised test scores (GMAT, GRE, LSAT)
- 3 Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume/ CV
- Non-refundable application fee
Okay, these requirements are pretty much the same as at many universities around the world. So, what’s so special about applying to Ivy League universities? Well, they usually accept only students that have the highest test scores and language tests. Here are the average scores for accepted students:
- Average GPA: 3.71 on a 4.0 scale
- TOEFL: 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL test
- 7.5 or higher on the IELTS test
- GRE average scores ranges: 155- 170 for all subjects
- LSAT: 173 and higher
- MCAT: 36.6 and higher
While most universities are happy with one or two recommendation letters, Ivy League schools want three of them – from individuals in academia or other professional sectors who know you well and can tell us about your qualifications for our programs.
How to apply to a Master’s degree at Harvard?
While you will find the above requirements with pretty much every Master’s degree application at Harvard, there are also special requirements depending on the subject. These include:
Essays
If you go for graduate studies in Humanities, Social Sciences, Journalism and the like, one requirement will be writing an essay which answers a specific question. Here are some examples of essay questions used in the past by Harvard:
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?
The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service.
Apart from topic essays, some grad schools also ask for both a personal history essay (talk about yourself including past studies and experiences), an optional statement (talks about you study and careers goals and how they match the programme you are applying to).
Professional experience and portfolio
Especially for graduate studies in Business, Engineering, Design and Architecture, Harvard Grad Schools only accept applicants that have at least 2 years professional experience and/ or a portfolio. Naturally, your experience should be related to the subject you want to pursue.
Interview and post-interview reflection
Depending on the school, you might also be invited to an interview. But that’s not all. Harvard also has a post-interview reflection. This means that within 24 hours of the interview, you are required to submit a written reflection through the online application system.
How to apply to a Master’s at Yale University?
Unlike Harvard, Yale graduate schools only have a few Masters available and tend to favour Ph.D. programmes more. However, if you are not ready for doctoral study, there are still some options for you at Yale. Here’s what’s special about graduate admissions at Yale.
Test scores
At Yale, the GMAT is usually only required for Ph.D. admissions. Hurray! Also, the score accepted for different standardised schools varies according to programme. Surely, there must be one Master’s where your test scores are good enough.
Essays, portfolios, and research proposals
Depending on the school or subject, you will be required to add some essays or a portfolio to your application. Essays are frequently required for Journalism, Humanities and Social Sciences focus. Portfolios are common in Architecture and Design. Also, most M. Res and M. Ed. programs ask that you also include a research proposal.
How to apply to a Master’s at Columbia University?
General requirements apply of course, but let’s see what sets Columbia University apart when it comes to the Master’s application process.
Test Scores
While a GRE is usually required, for certain subject areas you need a special GRE score. For example, studying Applied Physics requires an official GRE Physics Subject Test Score.
Another aspect is that not all graduate programmes require GMAT scores. MBAs, for example, require it. Some Masters also include an interview in the application process so get ready to impress them face to face or via video.
Sample of writing and essays
Humanities and Journalism degrees will include a writing test, written work samples together with general essays on personal and professional interests and specialisation essays. Sounds like a lot of writing, but there’s an upside. Most degrees that are not STEM or Business related don’t require your GRE (it is optional).
How to apply to a Master’s at Dartmouth College?
Like the other universities, the application to a graduate degree at Dartmouth College includes the usual suspects: undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). But application requirements also vary by program. Here is what is special about graduate applications at Dartmouth:
Recommendation letters and writing samples
Dartmouth is very keen on you getting recommendations from scientists in either academic or industrial positions, preferably including letters from research advisors. It’s time to do some networking in the scientific community if you want in!
Another frequent requirement is a writing sample which is a scholarly essay or excerpt of an essay and/or an essay answering one or more questions.
Test scores
Like Columbia University, Dartmouth likes special GRE scores, such as a GRE including Chemistry testing. They also strongly recommend the Test of Spoken English (TSE) along with IELTS or TOEFL, if you are a foreign student.
How to apply to the University of Pennsylvania?
Because graduate admissions at Penn are not centralised, all applications go to the graduate schools. Moving past the general Master’s application requirements, you should keep an eye on the next specific aspects:
Writing samples, portfolios, research proposals
Portfolios, writing samples and research proposals are quite common with most Master’s degrees. Some graduate programmes have essay questions like:
How do you expect to apply the expertise you would gain in the Master of Chemical Sciences programme?
Test scores
At Penn GRE scores are required for all applicants. No exception. Also, while they say there is no minimum GRE or TOEFL score requirement, this is still an Ivy League school. They will expect top achievers to apply.
Plus, unless you graduated from another programme in the USA, you will need to submit TOEFL exam scores to demonstrate English proficiency, even if you have an English-taught degree from somewhere else.
How to apply to Brown University?
Brown University’s Graduate School offers 33 master’s programmes, including those from the School of Engineering, the School of Public Health, and the School of Professional Studies.
Writing samples and no GRE
Apart from the general admission requirements what sets Brown apart in terms of graduate admission process is the writing samples and the fact that GRE scores are not necessary for Liberal Arts, and most Social Sciences and Humanities degrees. The writing sample is usually something that has to do with you study area.
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