What is the Difference Between Masters and Bachelors Degree

The main difference between masters and bachelors degree is that a bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree, whereas a master’s degree is a post-graduate degree. In addition, a bachelor’s degree usually demands the completion of the equivalent of eight semesters or four years of coursework, while a full master’s degree extends for two years, followed by the research component.

A bachelor’s degree aims to prepare the students for entry or mid-level work in their field of study and guide them towards further studies at the post-graduate level. A master’s degree, on the other hand, focuses on training the students for more specialized positions in the chosen field or for a doctoral program in that field.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Master’s Degree
      – Definition, Features 
2. What is a Bachelor’s Degree
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Masters and Bachelors Degree
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Masters and Bachelors Degree
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Degree, Masters, BachelorDifference Between Masters and Bachelor - Comparison Summary

What is a Master’s Degree

A master’s degree refers to a post-graduate degree program.  It consists of curricula that mainly emphasize various dimensions of the program’s specific field of study. In a master’s degree program, the curricula, therefore, contain major subject area courses, specialized coursework inside a particular field of study, as well as internships, practicums, labs, and field education. For instance, a Master of Business Administration program may include curriculum courses such as finance, marketing, logistics, accounting, project management and organizational science.  In addition, an MBA program frequently allows the students to select one or more coursework in other specialized areas, which often involve areas like digital marketing, entrepreneurship, health management, hospitality management, and business analytics.

What is a Bachelor’s Degree

In simpler terms, a bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree. There are different types of bachelor’s programs, such as Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Bachelor’s programs usually have two main components: general education programs and special degree programs. The students have to accomplish the general education requirements, usually within the first two years or four semesters of a bachelor’s degree program.

Master vs Bachelor

A bachelor’s program frequently involves classes in English language and literature, social sciences, history, mathematics, physical science, arts, culture, and history. However, certain bachelor’s programs such as BA in International relations would demand the completion of a specific number of general education credits in areas such as English composition or other foreign languages.

Similarities Between Masters and Bachelors Degree

  1. Masters and bachelor degree programs are educational qualifications
  2. Both degrees include coursework.
  3. These programs also train the students for the job market or higher studies in the selected field.
  4. Masters and bachelor degree programs involve an establishment of higher education.
  5. In addition, both can take place inside the conventional classroom or as online long-distance education.

Difference Between Masters and Bachelors Degree

Definition

A bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree, whereas a master’s degree is a post-graduate degree.

Time Duration

Moreover, a bachelor’s degree program usually demands the completion of the equivalent of eight semesters or four years of coursework. A full master’s degree program, on the other hand, extends for two years, followed by the research component.

Content

A bachelor’s degree program usually involves general education coursework, whereas a master’s degree programs do not. Instead, the curricula of master’s degree programs mainly emphasize different dimensions of the selected program’s specific field of study.

Use

A bachelor’s degree aims to prepare the students for entry or mid-level work in their field of study and guide them towards further studies at the post-graduate level. A master’s degree, on the other hand, focuses on training the students for more specialized positions in the chosen field or for a doctoral program in that field.

Conclusion

In brief, the main difference between masters and bachelors degree is that a bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree program while a master’s degree is a post-graduate degree program. However, whether you are reading for master’s or bachelor’s, it is essential that you complete the required number of credits demanded by the degree program you follow in order to become a degree holder.

Reference:

1. “Find Your Masters Degree.” Master Studies.
2. “What Is a Bachelor’s Degree?” GetEducated, 17 May 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “1625160” (CC0) via Pxhere

About the Author: Anuradha

Anuradha has a BA degree in English, French, and Translation studies. She is currently reading for a Master's degree in Teaching English Literature in a Second Language Context. Her areas of interests include Arts and Literature, Language and Education, Nature and Animals, Cultures and Civilizations, Food, and Fashion.

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