Can You Earn a Master's Degree Without a Bachelor’s?

Key takeaways

Getting a master’s degree with no bachelor’s degree is possible, but requires finding a program that allows this nontraditional learning pathway.

• Master’s degrees typically build upon the knowledge and skills you develop while completing a bachelor’s degree, but some programs allow you to enter without one. 

• You can also complete your bachelor’s degree faster or while balancing your life with options like accelerated degrees and online programs. 

• You can earn a combination degree, like a combined Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), by enrolling in specialized programs that allow you to work toward your bachelor’s and master’s in a single program.

Earning your degree is a valuable investment in your goals, whether you choose to start with a bachelor’s or skip ahead to get a master’s degree without a bachelor’s. 

Is it possible to get a master’s degree, no bachelor’s required?

Yes, it is possible to earn your master’s degree without previously having earned your bachelor’s degree. However, it is not the traditional pathway. Typically, master’s programs require proof of a bachelor’s degree as part of the admission requirements.

Applying to a master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree will likely limit the types of programs you can apply to and what you can study. That being said, it is still possible to move forward with graduate school without completing an undergraduate education first. 

How to earn a master's without a bachelor's

A master’s degree builds on what you learn in a bachelor’s degree, even if you end up . The coursework tends to be more challenging, and the subject matter tends to be more advanced, which is why most graduate programs expect you to go through the rigor of a bachelor’s degree and get the academic training you’ll need to continue progressing in your education.

Still, there are ways to earn your master’s degree when you don’t have a bachelor’s. 

1. Enroll in a combined degree program.

Some universities offer combined bachelor’s and master’s programs. Technically, this option still requires you to earn your bachelor’s degree, but you’ll do so much more quickly than if you pursued both separately. These programs accelerate the process of gaining both degrees, typically in five years, rather than the traditional four to five years for a bachelor’s degree and two or three years for a master’s. 

Not all schools offer combined degree programs, however, and many programs will be limited to certain subject areas. Examples of combined degree subjects include:

• Business: Bachelor of Arts in Business (BA)/Master of Business Administration (MBA)

• Computer science: Bachelor of Computer Science (BS)/Master of Science in Computer Science (MS)

• Public health: Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BPH)/Master’s of Science in Public Health (MPH)

• Social work: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)/Master of Social Work (MSW)

• Nursing: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

If you’re interested in this option, conduct an internet search for combined degree programs available or in-person in your area to see if any could be a good subject matter fit. 

2. Apply your professional experience.

Some schools will take your professional experience into consideration if you’ve acquired a good deal of it but haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree. Your experience can translate to skills earned, especially in fields like business and computer science.

Advanced standing is the process of using professional experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, allowing you to receive college credit for your work experience. Every university examines advanced standing differently, but many use five years of managerial experience as a benchmark. Some universities may require additional credits or even an associate degree before admitting you into a master’s degree.

Using experience to gain admission to a master’s program works well for fields like nursing. For instance, some programs allow registered nurses with enough professional work experience and some coursework to obtain their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) without possessing a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

If you’re interested in this option, conduct an internet search for available programs in your area or online, or reach out to the schools that you’re interested in attending to see if they might consider a professional applicant. 

3. Earn a master’s degree from select universities on Coursera.

Some university partners on Coursera, like the , do not require a bachelor’s degree to enroll in one of their online master’s degree programs. Instead, Boulder uses , which allows applicants to prove their knowledge by taking and passing a certain number of required courses, usually around three, in order to gain full admission into the program.

Explore the university’s Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Data Science, Master of Engineering in Engineering Management, and Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Learn more: How This Self-Taught Web Developer Went Straight to a Master's Degree

Accelerating your time to a bachelor’s degree

Knowing that a bachelor’s degree can open up the number of master’s programs you can apply to, not to mention the variety of subjects you can study, it may be worthwhile to first earn your bachelor’s degree to meet that requirement. 

In that case, it’s possible to accelerate the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree.

• Accelerated degrees: Some universities offer accelerated bachelor’s degrees in certain majors, which usually means you can earn your undergraduate degree in three years. These programs tend to be quite rigorous, however, because you will take more coursework each session or semester than the average student.

• Online degrees: Online bachelor’s degrees often feature asynchronous, self-paced learning, so you can plan your studies around your other responsibilities. In that case, you may be able to sign up for a higher number of courses per session to accelerate the time it takes to finish your degree.

• Transfer your previous learning: If you’ve previously earned some college credit or have completed other kinds of learning, such as certifications or Professional Certificates, you may be able to and lessen the coursework you need to complete to earn your bachelor’s.

• Bachelor’s completion programs: These transfer-friendly completion degrees are designed for returning learners who want to finish their bachelor’s without starting over again. 

Can I skip master’s and go straight to PhD?

Yes, you typically can forego the route of earning a master’s degree and go straight to earning your PhD; however, requirements may vary by program. You may choose to skip your master’s to finish your educational journey faster, or take the opportunity to combine your master’s and PhD program.

Your go-to guide for planning your learning experience

Join Career Chat for more tips and insights into today’s hot topics in education, careers, and technology. Also, consider these resources to help map out your learning pathway:

• Find your path: Career Planning & Transition Tools

• Watch on YouTube: Education Pays: 7 Degrees for Higher Salaries

• Hear from fellow learners: Earning an MBA While Hiking the Pacific Trail: Meet Illinois Tech Student Janie Butler

Whether you want to pursue a bachelor's or a master’s, you can earn your degree on a schedule that works for you by exploring degree programs available from esteemed college and university partners on Coursera.