Get master's degree by just taking comp?

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SUMMARY

No accredited institutions allow students to earn a master's degree solely by passing a comprehensive exam without being admitted to their master's program or completing required coursework. Most schools mandate that comprehensive exams be taken after completing coursework, ensuring that students must pass both their classes and the exam to obtain their degree. Some universities, like Harvard, offer accelerated programs allowing students to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in four years, but this still requires formal enrollment and coursework.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of graduate degree requirements
  • Familiarity with comprehensive exams in higher education
  • Knowledge of accreditation standards for educational institutions
  • Awareness of accelerated degree programs
NEXT STEPS
  • Research comprehensive exam policies at specific universities
  • Explore accelerated degree programs at institutions like Harvard
  • Investigate accreditation requirements for graduate programs
  • Learn about the differences between coursework and examination-based degree paths
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Prospective graduate students, academic advisors, and educational administrators seeking clarity on master's degree requirements and comprehensive exam policies.

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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