Home » Study in USA » Application Info » Can you Apply to different Specialization or Major for MS in USA? Change Majors ?

Can you Apply to different Specialization or Major for MS in USA? Change Majors ?

When I was planning to pursue MS in the US, I used to talk to many people seeking advice. The most common advice that I used to get was, “your Bachelor’s degree ( B.Tech/ BE) is in Computer Sciences, so just apply for MS in Computer Sciences.” I was very naïve at that time and never gave it a second thought even to pursue my interests.

If you are from a country like India, your specialization or major is decided at a very early stage of your career after you pass 10th or 12th grade. I was under the same impression that if I have B.tech in Comp Sciences, then I can only go for MS in Comp Sciences. But my perception was wrong when it comes to the US.  The education system in America works differently. To get an idea of some the differences, check this Education in USA vs. India.

Looking at changing majors or specializations, Here are some very common questions that you may have:

  • I have a B. Tech in ECE (electronics & Comm. Engg.  ), can I apply to MS in Computer Sciences?
  • I have a B.E in Civil Engineering. Can I apply to MS in Electrical Engineering?
  • I have Bachelors’s in English. Can I apply to MS in Robotics?
  • I have a B.tech in Mechanical engineering. Can I apply to MS in Marketing?

If are in such a situation wondering about the above questions or similar questions, we cover all these details in this article.

How does a Specialization or Major work in USA?  Can you change it in Masters?

In America, education institutions recognize your degree’s major or specialization based on the number of credits or courses  that you have taken in a specific subject area. If you want a Major in a specific field, say Electrical Engineering, after you are done with basic courses,  you will be required to take certain number of credits in that subject area. Once you complete so many credits, you get major in that field and your bachelor’s degree would state that. You can have two majors or as many as you want, all you need to do is take extra courses and get credits…If you have done Major in Biology and did not like it, you can get another major in Computer sciences, all you need to do is take extra courses and get enough credits.  I have had friends with double major of both Biology and Computer Sciences in Bachelor’s degree.

Now, let’s look at how that works for Masters in US…

Can you apply to a different Major or specialization for MS in USA?

Yes, you can apply for a different major or specialization, when you apply for Masters admission in US.  Because of the open education system in USA, you are free to apply for any specialization or major as you wish. You would need to articulate in your Statement of Purpose(SOP), when you apply for MS, why you decided to pursue a different major. 

For instance, let’s say, you have a B.tech in Computer Sciences and you want to apply for MS in Finance, you can do that. It is same for other degrees as well.  Your admission decision is not based on your Major or specialization in Bachelors. It will depend on your academic excellence and standardized test scores like GRE and TOEFL.

How does pre-requisites work for my new degree without having any background ?

If you get admission for Masters in a different major or specialization than your bachelors degree, then the school will include in your admission letter all the pre-requisite courses that you need to do for the Masters program.  The prerequisites are mandatory as you are switching majors and getting acquainted with a new specialization.  So, all your basics and foundations of any major or specialization are covered with pre-requisites and you can pursue your dream education ! 

The pre-requisites are done after you arrive in US and join the school for Masters program. You do not have to do it in your home country. In fact, when I did my MBA, I had to take many pre-requisites like Foundations of Marketing, Finance, and Accounting before I could start the MBA courses, because my degree was in Computer Sciences.

Check out How to change Majors in MS after admission  and arrival in USA

What was your experience? Did you change Majors?

   

Other Articles

327 Comments

  1. Hi Sir,
    I did bachelors in civil engineering and having an experience of around 9 years of in the construction field. But I want to switch to CS now. So can I go for MS in CS in the USA? How about my acceptance rate with a such long gap in my academics from my bachelor’s to now a master’s that too in another major?

    Reply
  2. Hello I want to change my major from electrical engineering to computer science engineering for masters in US. Could you recommend some universities in which taking different major is acceptable.

    Reply
    • Me_2002,
      Everything is subjective, you need to do your own research. All universities are open to take students who want to change majors, they do not have any bias. They look at your SOP and see why you want to change.

      Reply
  3. Hello, I have persued my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and now i want to change it with some food related course so is it possible to change it?, And i want to do it in Canada.
    Thank you

    Reply
  4. Hi sir
    My name is yamini
    I have completed my Bsc FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
    But now i want change my stream to Ms in computer science can I switch to cs stream. Is I am eligible without any knowledge about cs

    Reply
    • Yamini,
      Yes, you can do that. You will be asked to do foundation courses for CS. They maybe more, but definitely you can study whatever you want.

      Reply
  5. Hi

    My brother finished his BSc in Geology, and is interested in Computer Science filed and wants to apply to Universities in US for the same. Is it possible to get in ? If yes, could you suggest if there is any criteria that needs to be taken care of ?

    Please, help on the same. it would be great

    Reply
  6. Hii Aditya Raj , my name is Prudhvinath and I am studying Btech Biotechnology 2nd year. I too wish to get into CSE in Masters. I am searching the ways to do so. If you did find any way can you please help to find it?

    Reply
  7. Hi!
    currently I am in 2nd year of mechanical engineering. can i do master in electronic engineering in USA . and if yes what are the extra prerequisites i have to do ??
    and can i get scholarship in that course?

    Reply
  8. i am doing btech in biotechnology(currently 1st year) from nit durgapur . i want to get into cse in usa . is it possible and also how to get scholarship for this (i have much free time in college to do something which can get me a scholarship)

    Reply
  9. Hello,
    I have done my B.tech in Chemical engineering.
    Can i do MS in interior?
    Please suggest me some better way

    Reply
  10. hello, i am currently pursuing my bachelors in ECE(3rd year) and want to opt for MS in CS, i am thinking of taking udemy courses on data structures and algorithm, basics computational theory and also machine learning and data science . i have a basic to intermediate knowledge in python programming . Will i be able to get admission in a good university or what should i do apart from this?

    Reply
    • dhyey,
      You do not have to do those courses for admission. You can just apply with your current credentials.
      The important part is your SOP and why you want to do CS. They will give you requisite courses after admission in the University itself.

      Reply
  11. I have done my BE I’m electronics and telecommunication. I want to do ms in oceanography in usa.can I do it?will it be difficult for me as it different field.?

    Reply
  12. Do US Universities allow Electrical Engineering(Power) BE degree holders from state and NIT institutes to specialize in Electronics and Telecommunications (ECE) related fields? I have searched a lot of EE profiles, switching to Computer Engineering or Computer Science is very common, but not to ECE it seems.

    Reply
  13. Hi,I’m Sushma.I am an ECE graduate .Can i do my masters(majors in mathematics and minors in physics) .What should I highlight the points in my sop.

    Reply
    • Sushma,
      Yes, you can. You should highlight why you want to study mathematics. If you have not, think about the reasons and articulate the same.

      Reply
  14. Hi,

    I am a ECE graduate. Is it possible to do M.S in Genetics ? Is it possible to change majors only in US or in Canada too? If yes, what do I write in my SOP?

    Reply
    • Apu,
      Yes.
      Yes, usually you should be able to.
      You should know the reason right on why you want to do Genetics. Just write that reason. Just do not join a course without knowing why…think about it and then write up based on your thoughts.

      Reply

Leave a Comment