Do You Need a Bachelor’s to Get a Master’s Degree?

Traditionally, earning a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for enrolling in a master’s degree program, but some universities and programs offer alternative pathways for students without a formal undergraduate degree. In certain cases, you may be able to leverage professional experience or prior coursework to meet entry requirements into master’s degree programs. Understanding when you need a bachelor’s degree, your alternative options, and how to navigate the admissions process may help you find the best path to meet your educational and professional goals.

Understanding bachelor’s vs. master’s degrees

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree program, which typically takes most learners four years to finish, depending on whether they attend full- or part-time. This type of degree often encourages you to develop practical skills and a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge in your chosen field. In addition to general education requirements, this degree may help you build a broad foundation that you can use as a first step into further academic study or as entry into a professional career. 

A master’s degree typically takes between one and three years to complete. This graduate-level degree builds on foundational skills, assuming you have already mastered introductory topics in your area, allowing you to build deeper expertise in a specific subtopic within your chosen field. Typically, master’s degree programs require you to have earned a bachelor’s degree—sometimes in a particular subject area. However, specific programs and professional pathways offer exceptions to this standard.

When do you need a bachelor’s to get a master’s degree?

You will likely need a bachelor’s degree to get a master’s degree if the university follows standard admissions criteria for graduate programs, especially if your area involves specialized training or professional licensing. This requirement ensures learners have the foundational knowledge necessary to succeed in their graduate-level courses. 

For example, in fields such as engineering, finance, law, and health care, you’re almost guaranteed to need a bachelor’s degree prior to a master’s program due to their structured educational pathways. In these cases, you need to build specific skills during your undergraduate program before you can go on to more advanced studies. Graduate programs in these areas often require completion of specific courses, standardized testing, and related extracurricular activities. In addition to this, programs that lead to professional certifications, such as in teaching or health care, often require bachelor’s degrees as part of the licensing process.

Standard admission criteria for master’s degree programs

While it will differ depending on your subject field, master’s degree programs usually have a similar set of core requirements for admission. These requirements ensure you are prepared for the type of coursework you will encounter in the program and that you have demonstrated qualities that they believe will make you a successful addition to their program. These include:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA 

• Completion of courses related to foundational knowledge in your master’s area

• Completion of relevant standardized admission exams (e.g., GRE, GMAT)

• English language proficiency, if English is not your primary language

• Letter of recommendation

• Resume, CV, and a statement of purpose

Can I get a master’s degree with an associate degree?

While an associate degree helps you build foundational skills in your field, many master’s degree programs still require a bachelor’s degree for entry, though you may find exceptions to this. Earning an associate degree may position you well to enter an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program or may help demonstrate knowledge in the field for programs that allow for entry based on experience. In many cases, an associate degree can help you earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees more quickly but will typically not fulfill graduate entry requirements alone.

Which fields may not require a bachelor’s degree?

While not as common, you can find master’s degree programs that recognize non-traditional pathways, allowing you to leverage professional experience or prior coursework in lieu of formal education. Fields that focus on hands-on experience and professional skills may be more likely to offer alternative education pathways for admission. Fields to consider include:

• Computer science and technology. Some online tech-focused master’s programs don’t require a formal undergraduate degree and instead design curricula for professionals with strong practical skills. 

• Art and design. In some cases, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs may consider portfolios and experience over formal education. This is typically rare, but some programs may waive an undergraduate degree requirement if you have extensive experience and go through a more thorough admissions process.

Other fields, such as business and management, may highly value professional experience but generally also require a bachelor’s degree. However, you can complete this bachelor’s degree in any field, and you can find programs that offer combined or accelerated pathways. 

Alternative pathways to earning a master’s degree

If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you may explore the following alternative educational pathways to earning your master’s degree. These options are particularly useful if you have extensive professional experience, prior coursework, or technical expertise in your field. 

Combined degree programs

One way to earn a master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree is to explore combined degree pathways. These accelerated dual-degree programs allow you to complete both degrees in a shorter timeframe by overlapping undergraduate and graduate coursework. Many of these programs recommend you start as an undergraduate and apply for the combined pathway during your second or third year, so it’s important to look for universities that offer this type of pathway during your search.

Professional experience

If you have professional experience, you may qualify for “advanced standing,” which allows you to further accelerate your master’s pathway. This means that your professional experience counts as credit toward your degree qualifications. 

In some cases, you may enroll in further condensed bachelor’s/master’s combined pathways, sometimes completing both degrees in as little as four years. Other universities consider “advanced standing” as a way to bypass bachelor’s degree requirements, though specific requirements may vary.

Select online programs

Certain online programs don’t require a bachelor’s degree for master’s degree program entry. Instead, they conduct performance-based admissions that allow you to gain entry based on your skills and knowledge. An example of this is the University of Colorado Boulder Master of Science in Computer Science, available on Coursera. However, when searching for these programs, it’s important to ensure they meet accreditation requirements relevant to your field.

Transfer an unrelated degree

Though not exactly an alternative pathway, it’s worth noting that many students wonder how to switch fields from their undergraduate to graduate degrees. For example, if your bachelor’s is in an unrelated field, you might look for master’s programs in a new area that accept students from various academic disciplines. These programs may recommend or require you to take certain prerequisites to bridge knowledge gaps before beginning. 

Pros and cons of earning a master’s without a bachelor’s degree

Earning a master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree comes with advantages and disadvantages. When deciding the right pathway for you, consider the following:

Advantages

• Faster career advancement. You will earn your master’s in less time than it takes to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, allowing you to take on more senior career positions.

• Lower costs. Earning your master’s without a bachelor’s may save costs, and online programs often have a flexible pay-as-you-go structure.

Disadvantages

• Limited program options. Depending on your field, you may not be able to find accredited programs that allow you to earn the credentials you need.

• You still need to complete the required coursework. Even if you enter a master’s program without a bachelor’s degree, you’ll still need to have completed certain prerequisite coursework, sometimes equal to two years in an undergraduate program. In these cases, an accelerated program may be a similar time commitment.

How to decide on the right pathway for you

When deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree without a bachelor’s, considering your chosen field of study, long-term career aspirations, and available opportunities can help you make the right choice for you. Ask yourself:

• Does my chosen field of study require a bachelor’s degree for accreditation?

• Do I have extensive professional experience, and are there programs that accept this as an alternative entry requirement?

• What are the long-term implications of skipping a bachelor’s degree?

• Do I have prerequisite coursework, or would a combined program better fit me?

Earn a master’s degree on Coursera

While master’s programs typically require you to have a bachelor’s already, you can find exceptions depending on your experience, prior coursework, and field of interest. If you’d like to explore flexible degree options, many universities now offer master’s programs through online learning platforms.

For example, you might consider the Master of Science in Computer Science by CU Boulder or the Master of Applied Data Science by the University of Michigan on Coursera, both of which focus on professional or academic success for entry rather than a formal degree.