Getting into a master's of science program with a B.A.?

[don112]

I'm almost finish my psychology degree and I really want to take a master's of science in a neuroscience program.

How likely is it that I could get into a science grad program with an arts degree?

There is a bio psychology degree that is offered at my school which would give me a science degree. The only problem is that if I take all the required courses for the bio psychology program it will extend my undergrad schooling by at least a year, which is something I don't really want to do.

So is it possible to get into a science grad program with an arts degree or should I take an extra year as an undergrad to get a science degree?

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[thewesternsky]

This varies by program. Depending on your geographic constraints and research interests, you may or may not be able to find good-fit MSc programs in neuroscience that accept students with B.A.s. However, your B.A. is less likely to be a problem than your lack of prerequisites, so you may be able to get away with taking (for example) 3-4 specific prereqs for a program. Your best bet is likely to check into the admission requirements/prereqs on individual program websites, and contact admin or faculty if necessary.

 

[Psychology 76]

This varies by program. Depending on your geographic constraints and research interests, you may or may not be able to find good-fit MSc programs in neuroscience that accept students with B.A.s. However, your B.A. is less likely to be a problem than your lack of prerequisites, so you may be able to get away with taking (for example) 3-4 specific prereqs for a program. Your best bet is likely to check into the admission requirements/prereqs on individual program websites, and contact admin or faculty if necessary.

+1

B.A. and B.S. are really just letters. Yes, sometimes they do really mean a B.A. in psychology is more humanistic and existential courses and a B.S. is more biopsych and cognition course. But the most important thing is what courses you have taken and what research you have done. I'm getting a B.A. in psych I take the most science based courses I can so it's misleading.

 

[blindblonde]

+1

B.A. and B.S. are really just letters. Yes, sometimes they do really mean a B.A. in psychology is more humanistic and existential courses and a B.S. is more biopsych and cognition course. But the most important thing is what courses you have taken and what research you have done. I'm getting a B.A. in psych I take the most science based courses I can so it's misleading.

I agree. I have a B.A. and a M.A., but I definitely have had a rigorous research background. B.A./B.S is just a formality of whatever the school opted to place their psychology program...it does not always reflect more or less science/research focus. Just make sure you look at the program's focus and see if you have coursework that fits what they are looking for in applicants.

Good luck!