Can I Get a Master’s Degree Unrelated to My Undergraduate Major?
Maybe you’re a recent college graduate — you’re discovering that your bachelor’s degree actually isn’t going to prepare you for the career you want.
Or maybe you’ve been in the workforce for several years — and you’ve decided that you either want to move in a slightly different direction in your current career or you want to change careers altogether.
Whatever your specific situation, many adults end up asking themselves after college: “can I get an unrelated master’s degree?”
Let’s explore the process of going back to grad school for an unrelated degree.
Tip: Which graduate program is right for you? Explore our educational guides to learn more about PLU’s programs.
Why go back to school for an unrelated degree?
There are so many reasons to go back to school for an unrelated master’s degree. Maybe you resonate with one of the situations listed above or maybe you have a totally different reason for hoping to go back to school for a degree unrelated to your bachelor’s.
No matter your personal circumstances, going back to school for an unrelated master’s degree is something that thousands of professionals do every single year.
And this shouldn’t be surprising because according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, only 27 percent of workers with a college degree were employed in fields closely related to their major. Further, many accomplish this by obtaining a graduate degree that aligns with their career interests and goals.
In addition to often needing a master’s degree to break into your new career or position, many professionals choose to obtain a graduate degree for these reasons:
- Pay: Probability of higher earnings per year
- Satisfaction: Nurture your love of learning and develop personal/professional satisfaction
- Job security: Increased job security over employees with fewer credentials
Now, let’s talk about some master’s degrees that can be obtained without a related bachelor’s degree.
7 master’s degrees can you get with an unrelated bachelors:
It may surprise you to hear that there are multiple graduate degrees that are available to students who hold an unrelated bachelor’s degree. Here is a quick list of the programs that are perfect for career changers or for those who hold an unrelated bachelor’s degree:
1. Nursing — Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
As a nurse, you possess the ability to positively impact the lives of others, but if you’re looking to develop the sought-after skills needed to transform people’s lives through excellent patient care — you should consider obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
2. Business — Master of Business Administration (MBA)
There are many types of graduate business degrees — finance, accounting, human resource management, organizational leadership, to name a few — but the traditional MBA has recently seen an uptick in interest from professionals in diverse fields.
3. Education — Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
A Master’s in Education is a great way to help change the lives of children – the impact of teachers from childhood stays with us for the rest of our lives. The primacy of relationships makes teaching one of the most meaningful careers you can choose.
Download PLU’s resource: How to Become A Teacher – A Guide to Teaching in Washington State.
4. Fine Arts — Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Now celebrating over 17 years of accomplishment, the Rainier Writing Workshop has been helping writers to generate new, even deeper questions about writer’s aspirations. Our MFA is an innovative three-year, four-residency program in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
5. Kinesiology — Master of Science in Kinesiology (MSK)
A master’s degree in Kinesiology will enhance the skill set of novice and experienced practitioners in exercise, sport, performance, and health-related careers.
6. Marketing Analytics — Master of Science in Marketing Analytics (MSMA)
Companies need employees who can translate data into information, analyze that information and communicate with organizational leadership in order to achieve data-driven decisions and establish a competitive advantage.
7. Therapy — Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Pacific Lutheran University is designed to train students to become systemically-oriented, contextually sensitive therapy professionals who can address the diverse needs and clinical concerns of individuals, couples, families, and communities.
These are just a few of the graduate programs that you can obtain with a master’s degree, and now you can find out why you should choose Pacific Lutheran University’s graduate programs as the avenue through which you choose to transform your professional future — read this blog to learn more.
Looking to change your career? Connect with Pacific Lutheran University's graduate programs today!
Pacific Lutheran University purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies and civic engagement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890 by Norwegian immigrants, PLU continues the distinctive tradition of Lutheran higher education as it seeks to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care — for other people, for their communities, and for the Earth.
With intimate class sizes and expert faculty, PLU graduate programs can help you gain the knowledge and experience you need to find and thrive in a fulfilling new career.
Ready to talk to explore further or talk to a PLU representative? Request more information or schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor today.
Don’t put your new career on hold — explore our educational guides to learn more about PLU programs and how you can get started today.