Combined Bachelors and Masters Degree
Earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time is a convenient and cost-effective way to get ahead in your field. Accelerated college degree programs online offer these dual degrees in a variety of subject areas. Some job positions like management roles now require or at least prefer applicants with a master’s degree.
Instead of having to first earn your bachelor’s degree and then start all over again in a graduate level program, these dual degree bachelor’s to master’s programs allow you to knock out both degrees at the same time. This quick guide lays out the basics of how these programs work online.
Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs: An Overview
Many bachelor’s to master’s accelerated college degree programs require that you apply to their dual degree program before you even start your bachelor’s degree. There are some programs that will allow you to apply to continue on to the master’s degree level once you’ve already begun the bachelor’s degree program.
The first of these options is the most accelerated, because you will follow a plan to completion from the start. This plan will outline the exact ways in which you can complete both of your degrees in about 4 to 5 years, which is significantly shorter than the average time it takes to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree (about 6 to 7 years).
Once you’re enrolled in an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program, you will most likely follow a course plan that has already been set up for you to ensure that you graduate with both degrees in an accelerated time frame. Because these degrees are combined into one program, you’ll likely take less credit hours total than you would if you were to pursue your degrees separately. Some programs allow you to complete both degrees in 120 credit hours, which is typically how many hours it takes to complete just a bachelor’s degree.
Popular Accelerated College Degrees Offered
These types of programs are becoming increasingly popular, so you can find accelerated bachelor’s to master’s programs online in a wide selection of majors. Some of the most popular programs include:
- BSN to MSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Master of Science in Nursing)
- BS to MS in Accounting
- BS to MS in Engineering
- BS to MS in Psychology
- BS to MPH (Master of Public Health)
- BS to MS in Communication
- BS/BA to MA/MS in Education
- BS to MS in Computer Science
Other than the BSN to MSN programs that require you to already be a practicing RN to apply, the other programs allow you to start from the beginning with no previous college experience.
Benefits and Advantages of Dual Degree Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs
Besides saving time and money, there are other advantages and benefits to enrolling in a bachelor’s to master’s program. Master’s programs can be competitive, so if you don’t perform very well at the undergraduate level, you may lessen your chances of entering a master’s degree program. With these programs, though, as long as you maintain a certain GPA, you’re guaranteed that you’ll receive a master’s degree by the end if you follow the course plan set for you.
Applying for a master’s program can be a daunting prospect for many. These dual degree programs allow you to bypass that stressful process. You’ll be exempt from taking the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), an extra application fee, and the responsibility of collecting recommendations and writing samples. This process often turns off people from the idea of graduate school and they never end up pursuing the graduate degree they really want.
