Master's degree has to be in related area?

Question

If I want to earn a Master's degree in Education (for example), do I need to have a Bachelor's degree in Education or can I jump, let's say, from a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology to a Master of Education?

Thanks for your answer beforehand

Answer 1

It's usually a good thing if your undergrad is in a similar or related field as your graduate degree(s), but that's not necessarily a requirement.  If you can convince the program(s) you're applying to that you are a good student and can do good work, they'll probably take you under the conditions that you have to perhaps take a few classes your first semester or two to make up for the background you don't have that their core graduate classes need.

I don't think it'd be too hard in the example you're giving.  Education seems to like taking all sorts of backgrounds.

P.S.  No, you don't actually even need a BS in engineering to go to grad school in engineering like was said earlier.  I've had friends come in from science fields and leave with MS and Ph.D. degrees in engineering. . . you just have to make up some science and math classes first, usually.

Answer 2

this depends on the master degree. Look at the website of the university of your interest and they should state the requirements for the Master degree. Eg. to pursue a Masters in Electrical or Computer Engineering usually requires a Bach in the same degree or close relations.. A Masters in System Engineering only require a Bach in ANY engineering field. So yea.. it varies from degree to degree and the foundation of the Masters.

Answer 3

Your masters degree doesn't necessarily have to be in a field related to your undergrad degree. There are some fields where it has to be related - for example, if you wanted an MS in mechanical engineering, your BS must have been in engineering. But in many subjects, there doesn't need to be a direct relationship. In fact, in many states, to teach in high school, for example, your undergrad degree must be in the subject you plan to teach - math, English, history, French, etc. - while your grad degree needs to be in education or related.