What masters degree can I get with a bachelors in general studies? There are, in fact, a number of master degree programs you may enroll in with a bachelor’s degree in general studies.
General studies educational programs allow you to craft your own course of study on a deeper level than specialized degree options.
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General studies may allow you the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in a combination of areas. They may still provide the needed foundation, though, for entry into a variety of master level degree programs. The path you choose to pursue will likely depend on your area of interest and career goals.
What Masters Degree Can I Get with a Bachelors in General Studies?
There are two different educational options available to you when pursuing a master’s degree if you hold a Bachelor of General Studies.
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You can choose to continue your general studies educational path by enrolling in a Masters of Liberal Arts or similar interdisciplinary program. You can also make the decision to specialize in a specific area of study for your masters education.
Option 1: Select an Interdisciplinary Studies Master’s Degree
One option available to you is to enroll in a general studies masters program. General studies master’s programs may include enrolling in a Master of Liberal Arts, Master of Arts, or other interdisciplinary course of study.
While this academic path is considered to be general studies, you may be required to choose a certain area of concentration to focus your studies on. Concentrations may include English, communications, history, math, or philosophy.
Many master degree programs require you to complete a thesis project in order to graduate, so you may be encouraged to center your stream of study around your thesis topic of choice.
Masters in general studies are often structured for working professionals who are looking to expand their education, so they may offer the option of a more flexible schedule. Flexible schedule offerings may include online study options, evening and weekend classes, and part-time or full-time attendance options.
Due to the general and flexible nature of a Master of Liberal Arts or interdisciplinary studies, the course offerings can vary greatly depending on the school and your concentration.
Some courses or areas of study may include alienation and self-identity, public health, norms and ethics, globalization, sociology, religious extremism, political theory, literature, performing arts, economics, anthropology, and psychology.
Option 2: Select a Specialized Area of Study
Another option available to you is to select an area of specialized study. Examples may include pursuing a masters in communications, business, psychology, biology, accounting, or engineering.
In some cases, specialized master degree programs will require you to have completed certain prerequisite courses in order to enroll. Other programs may accept you into their program based on your general studies bachelor degree without additional prerequisites.
For example, some psychology masters programs may require that you have completed 2 or 3 introductory psychology courses in order to begin studying within the master’s program.
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Other psychology masters programs may go a step further and prefer that you have a bachelors degree in psychology. In other cases, some psychology masters programs may not require any specific study in the area of psychology prior to enrolling and beginning the graduate program.
With this in mind, it may be strategic to choose your specialization for your masters program based on the predominant area of study that you pursued in your general studies bachelor program.
For example, pursuing a masters in business may be a strategic choice if 15 of the 60 credits completed in your bachelors program were in the area of business and management.
5 Masters You Can Get with a Bachelor’s in General Studies
If you have a bachelor’s degree in general studies, there are a number of master degree programs that you may qualify for. These may include liberal arts, communications, human services, psychology, and management degree programs.
While some master degree programs require that your bachelor degree be in a specific area of study in order to enroll, others do not. The requirements vary from school to school, so you may want to research the specific schools you’re interested in attending for additional information.
1. Master of Liberal Arts
A Master of Liberal Arts program may allow you to study a variety of topics, ranging from science and math to literature, social science, and history.
While the program may be considered general studies, you may be encouraged, or even required, to select a particular area of concentration for your studies. This may mean completing a designated number of credits in a single area of study.
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Admission requirements for a Master of Liberal Studies program generally include the completion of a bachelor degree in any field or area of study. With a masters of liberal arts, you may be qualified for careers such as writer or editor, news correspondent, community college instructor, or social and community services manager.
2. Master’s in Communications
Masters in communications degree programs focus on teaching advanced methods of communication. This includes public speaking, writing, conflict resolution, and persuasiveness in interactions.
Courses in the program may cover theories and models of communication, social influence and persuasion, and communication in global topics. Admission requirements for a masters in communications program often include the completion of a bachelor degree in a related field.
With a masters degree in communications, you may be qualified for a variety of positions. You may pursue a career as a human resources manager, communication consultant, public relations specialist, resource development manager, or postsecondary school instructor.
3. Master’s in Human Services
A masters degree in human services may help you develop the advanced skills that are required to take on social and public service roles, including positions ranging from management to counseling.
The wide range of career options may be narrowed down through the selection of a specialization in the program. Some specializations within a masters in human services program include general studies, community and social services, criminal justice, family studies, gerontology, nonprofit administration, and mental health.
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Admission requirements for a masters in human services degree program is a bachelor’s degree. It is common for no particular area of study to be designated as part of the requirement. Depending on the concentration you choose to pursue, a masters in human services may help prepare you a variety of roles.
You may pursue a position as a social and community services manager, social worker, substance abuse counselor, family therapist, or postsecondary school instructor.
4. Master’s in Psychology
A masters in psychology program may provide you with an overview of psychological theory and research practices to use in various non-clinical settings. When enrolling in a masters program in psychology, you may be able to specialize in areas such as educational, forensic, counseling, or organizational psychology.
The minimum educational requirement for a master’s in psychology program is a bachelors degree. Some programs may require that at least one course in social science statistics and one course in research methods was completed during your undergraduate studies.
With a masters in psychology, you may be qualified for a variety of roles across different fields, including human resources, social services, social work, public relations, behavioral health, and research.
5. Master’s in Management
Masters in management programs are geared toward students who do not possess a bachelors in business. Management programs help to provide foundational knowledge in various areas of business, including accounting, finance, management, marketing, and strategy.
Specializations within a masters program in management may include accounting, business analytics, finance, marketing, or economics, among others. A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a masters in management program. Some schools may require that you have at least one undergraduate course completed in economics.
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With a masters in management, you may be prepared to take on a number of different management positions. These may include management positions in operations, human resources, marketing, finance, and general administration.
Can I Get a Master’s Degree with a Bachelors in General Studies?
Yes, you can get a master’s degree with a bachelors in general studies. There are two options generally available to you. You may pursue a general studies master program, such as liberal arts, or you may choose a specialized master’s program.
With your general studies bachelor degree, you may be eligible to enroll in a number of specialized master’s programs. These may include graduate programs that specialize in management, psychology, human services, and communications.
Getting Your Master’s Degree Online
Earning a bachelor’s degree in general studies may allow you to craft your own educational journey while still providing the foundation required to enroll in a masters program down the road.
Holding a bachelor’s degree is commonly a minimum requirement for enrollment in a masters program. There are a number of programs that do not specify the area of study that your bachelors degree must be in.
With a general studies bachelor degree, you have the flexibility to pursue either a general or more concentrated education at the graduate level. For additional flexibility, you might consider enrolling in an accredited online masters program. An online program, whether it’s an online general studies bachelors degree or a masters, may help you achieve your academic goals at the convenience of your own schedule.
