<p>I have always assumed that in order to get into a certain grad school program, you need an undergrad degree in the same area of studies. For example, if I wanted to study computer science at the graduate level, I would need a BS in computer science. Now I'm reading from various places that if you can jump into any grad program. So if I have a BA in French studies, I can jump into a grad program for say...business administration?</p>
<p>It depends a lot on the field.</p>
<p>Professional programs (business, law, med school, social work, information technology, etc) are open to undergraduates from a variety of backgrounds.</p>
<p>Academic graduate programs leading to a PhD usually require some undergraduate background in the field, but maybe not a full undergraduate major. For example, a math major/computer science minor could go to grad school for computer science but not chemistry or history. The specific entry requirements vary by discipline.</p>
<p>Professional experience in the field often substitutes for academic classes.</p>
<p>I’m entering a funded master’s program in natural resource recreation management at Indiana University this fall. I have never taken a class in the field, but I interned for six months with the U.S. Forest Service and have been hired to a permanent job with the agency. Additionally, my undergraduate major (journalism) is linked with my research interest - the use of new and social media for park interpretation.</p>
<p>b@r!um hit it pretty well, but I would expand on one thing - grad research degrees (MS, MA, PhD) have vary specific requirements that can be met by any of several different undergrad degrees. It is possible to go from a BA in French Literature to an MS in Chemistry if you have a few specific courses uniquely necessary to the research.</p>
<p>That having been said, the closer you are to the actual degree pursued, the better off you are, and the farther off you are the more you will need to demonstrate unusual merit. For example, that French major will have a hard time getting into that Chemistry program unless she outshines the other applicants (most of whom will have Chem degrees) in areas like GPA, research experience, and LOR’s. You will almost always stand a better chance of getting into the same graduate fields as your undergrad major.</p>
<p>There is a wonderful thread “stickied” at the top of this forum. It’s called “Grad School Admissions 101”. Great info there.</p>