Switching Majors: Is a Second Bachelor's Degree Required to Get a Master's Degree?
By Clare KaufmanQuestion
I have a Bachelor's of Science in Business from Boston University (1992) but am thinking about getting a degree in Sociology (virtual classroom). Am I required to start from the beginning, meaning that the new Bachelor's would take another 4 years, or can I apply credit from my current Bachelor's degree? I would like to get a Master's in Sociology but am unclear on how long this would take.
Answer
Many schools will transfer credits toward a second bachelor's degree, but check with the particular school first -- policies vary widely. If your goal is a master's in Sociology, however, you probably do not need to pursue a bachelor's in Sociology first. Your BS in Business will suffice for eligibility.
If your goal is to make your application more attractive to a program with high admission standards, consider taking graduate courses in the field through a reputable school -- ideally, the school to which you're applying. Many universities offer extension courses to the general public. These do not lead to a degree, but demonstrate your commitment and ability to excel in a graduate sociology course. In addition to saving you time and money, an 'A' in a Sociology grad course will go further than a whole bachelor's degree worth of Sociology 101s.
Moreover, the contacts you'll make in the class will give you valuable insight into graduate life and could help you get your foot in the door of the Admissions Department.
Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer specializing in education and career advice. She has a graduate degree in English.
