Get master's degree by just taking comp?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of earning a master's degree solely by passing a comprehensive exam without being admitted to a master's program or completing coursework. It explores institutional policies regarding comprehensive exams and degree requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether institutions exist that allow earning a master's degree by only passing a comprehensive exam, without prior admission or coursework.
  • Another participant asserts that most schools require coursework to be completed before taking the comprehensive exam, indicating that passing the exam alone does not guarantee a degree.
  • A third participant suggests checking the specific school's website for accurate information regarding their policies.
  • Several participants agree that no school would allow this practice without risking accreditation.
  • One participant mentions that some universities offer programs allowing students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter time frame, but this is not directly related to the original question.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the possibility of earning a degree through examination alone, emphasizing that a degree typically requires a program of study.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that it is unlikely for institutions to award a master's degree solely based on a comprehensive exam without prior coursework or admission, though there is some uncertainty regarding other majors outside of physics.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about institutional policies and accreditation standards are present, but specific details about different majors or schools are not fully explored.

Geremia
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Do institutions which do not require master's theses allow scoring high enough on a comp exam to earn a master's degree without either being admitted in their master's program or having taken any classes with them? Thanks
 
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No, I don't know any schools that do that. Most schools that require a comprehensive exam to get a masters make you take it after the coursework, so it's still possible to pass all of your classes and not get a masters if you don't pass the exam (I've seen it happen).
 


I think a more appropriate place to find your answer is the website of the particular school.
 
No school does that. Well, not and maintain their accreditation.
 
For students who have enough advanced standing (AP, IB, etc) to graduate about two semesters earlier, it is possible, in certain subjects at certain universities/colleges, to graduate in 4 years with BS+MS degrees. Harvard have a similar program for Mathematics and for Physics, awarding the AB and AM degrees.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
No school does that. Well, not and maintain their accreditation.

eri said:
No, I don't know any schools that do that. Most schools that require a comprehensive exam to get a masters make you take it after the coursework, so it's still possible to pass all of your classes and not get a masters if you don't pass the exam (I've seen it happen).

Probably most physics programs don't, but what about other majors? Thanks
 
I don't know about other majors, but I seriously doubt it. A degree is a program of study, not a test.
 

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