Does a masters degree need to be in the same discipline as one's bachelors? Is it possible to obtain a masters in an unrelated field? Cazador
Hello. Does it need to be in the same field?....No Can it be in a different field?.....Yes Should it be...........It's up to you. Depending on the typical education, or required education in the field you want to enter, you may decide to solidify your education in one area, or diversify by getting your masters in another area. Beware that certain prereqs might be required if your undergrad is not in the right area.
In most of the physical sciences that I am aware of, one has to have an undergraduate degree in that science or a closely related science in order to be admitted to a master's program. In my old field of chemistry, any masters in chemistry program accredited by the American Chemical Society required a bachelors's degree in chemistry or biochemistry. Regards, Michael Lloyd Mill Creek, Washington, USA
I recently finished my coursework for my BS/CIS, and will be receiving my degree shortly. I am not interested in pursuing a masters in hardcore computer science, but am kicking around the idea of a masters in some other field, if it makes sense to do so. I don't really have anything in mind, I am just exploring options. Thanks, Cazador
I'm going to begin a job search in Visual Basic programming shortly, but the future is wide open. My biggest goal in life is to be able to travel freely, and not be tied to firmly to any company or location. Cazador
If you want "expert" status get a technical degree, if you want to enter management and manage a department look at a MBA. If your looking at the management track stay away from a MBA with a IT focus. My advise for you relating to the magement track would be in the areas of OPERATIONS or FINANCE. You'll have to sell your new technology 5 year plan to Sr. management and the controllers club. Having a MBA/Finance will enable you to push it through. With the Operations track you'll better understand the limitations on various operational aspects and human/people limits - meaning - actually doing the work. Both area - OPERATIONS/FINANCE would open the door to a possible career change into management - ie, General Manager/Plant Director.... FYI, I just placed a guy in his eary 30's with a BS(IS) and a MBA/Finance with a base of 120K with a 30/40% bonus potential, His title - Dir of IS
Or another option... look for a 1 year MBA program and a 1 year masters in finance program. You can position yourself as either/both a manager and/or a technician and have no more an investment than a 2 year MBA in finance.
That should be the only concern. If you're bachelors degree is in health & physical education and if you want a MBA, you might lack an accounting course as a prerequisite (this is just an example, but you get the idea). My undergraduate degree is in business management and I've had no problem transferring to a masters in criminal justice. If I were to try and get a masters degree in accounting or chemistry, I'd probably be lacking in some critical skills (critical prerequisite undergraduate classes).
