# School: Have you done an unusual degree progression? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 16, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451 "2011-12-16T21:12:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/21 "2011-12-17T19:27:26Z")
Does a BS in electrical engineering to an MD (well, in 5 months I will have it) count? There is annoyingly little overlap in those, by the way, so I don’t really recommend it if you know you want to do medicine as your ultimate goal. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/22 "2011-12-17T19:36:30Z")
Yeah, I would also exclude JDs for the same reason as MBAs. FWIW, there were lots of engineers in my law school class. Not that many biology majors though… ---
**Author:** ![\_mostly\_Harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/9d8465/32.png) [@\_mostly\_Harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_mostly_Harmless)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/23 "2011-12-17T20:34:34Z")
My situation doesn’t exactly fit your OP because I haven’t started the post-graduate degree yet but I have a BA in Linguistics and I’m seriously looking into getting a MA in Geology. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/24 "2011-12-17T21:10:27Z")
I have a friend who has a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering. She also has MD/PhD (biochemistry, I think). She took a year off of med school to get a Master’s in Fine Arts. Finally (as far as I know - haven’t talked to her for a few years), she got a JD. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/25 "2011-12-18T04:14:38Z")
I guy I knew in undergrad got is BA in art, then went to med school and got his MD. Though his major was art, he did take a lot of science courses. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/26 "2011-12-18T05:45:03Z")
B.A. And M.A. in music, doing a JD now, still looking long and hard at that PhD in history once I’ve licked this! ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/27 "2011-12-18T09:30:38Z")
BA in Film and Digital Media Production and an MA in International Development. It’s quite a leap. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/28 "2011-12-18T13:16:43Z")
Started as a BS in Biochemistry with a minor in Philosophy. But, took enough classes that I ended with 2 degrees, a BS and a BA (for philosophy). Finished with an MA in Intercultural Studies. Worked for [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) for a few years. Now a business teacher in China. ---
**Author:** ![Saitou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Saitou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saitou)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/29 "2011-12-18T14:56:23Z")
Did a BS and MS in Computer Science, Worked for a few years in IT but always wanted to do another degree. So a couple of years ago I went back to university, now got a BA and MA in Media. Currently doing work to get into a PhD program. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/30 "2011-12-18T15:09:56Z")
My aunt and her daughter both studied law years after finishing degrees in music and architecture, respectively. I’m considering going back and become a certified translator after finishing my PhD (in veterinary pathology). ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/31 "2011-12-18T15:48:47Z")
I worked with a woman who, after completing a chemistry Ph.D and postdoc, entered an MLS program. I think working in my lab burned her out a bit; she was from Spain and the 72-hour work weeks were a bit of a shock. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/32 "2011-12-18T17:16:13Z")
I have a friend whose degree progression is B.A., PhD., high school diploma via GED…does that count? (His B.A and PhD were in related subjects, its just that he didn’t bother to finish high school before starting). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/33 "2011-12-18T17:30:47Z")
I didn’t: my BA in English grew into an Masters in Library and Information Studies. I do have a friend whose MLS (as it is more commonly known) followed a bachelors degree in printmaking of all things. ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/34 "2011-12-19T02:31:24Z")
BE in Electrical Engineering. Dip Ed - math / science teaching Grad Dip Computing M. Ed in gifted education - teaching chaos theory and fractal geometry to gifted kids (all normal so far) PhD (nearly finished) in Arts - English Program at La Trobe uni, Melbourne, as a creative science writer - I’m a published author for the trade market. I was looking at the way science (and related pragmatic information) is stored in oral cultures. But that took an unexpected path into memory aids used by oral cultures and then applying that in archaeology - a total change in direction, but stumbled on a link. So its been four intensive years of getting a background in ethnology and archaeology, working with relevant experts, three field trips (UK, US, UK) as well as here in Australia. Been a real roller coaster, and the thesis is very nearly finished. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit neatly into any specific discipline any more. I can’t recommend a change in direction more highly. I’m drawing on all the past disciplines which is giving me a different perspective on analysing some enigmatic archaeological sites. Amazingly stimulating experience. ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/35 "2011-12-19T21:00:18Z")
Started my bachelor track at a university with a major in computer science, switched to a community college to get my AA, returned to the university and to engineering information systems and ended up with a BS in accounting 6 years later. Now on track for entry in a PharmD program in August, so I’d graduate in four years with an AA, a BS in accounting, and a doctorate of pharmacy. Certainly not the usual track for PharmDs, as they are usually in a 2+4 program, earning an AA and then a doctorate straight through with no stop for a bachelor’s in any field along the way. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/36 "2011-12-19T21:06:06Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > Maybe. On the other hand, a significant fraction of law school applicants are coming from the social sciences, so someone who started out in engineering or the fine arts and went to law school is doing a somewhat unusual progression. Engineering is pretty common - you need that or a hard science for patent law. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/37 "2011-12-19T21:42:08Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Engineering is pretty common - you need that or a hard science for patent law. I can’t find any numbers, but I suspect that engineering backgrounds in law school are more “more common than you might expect” than actually common. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/38 "2011-12-20T00:09:56Z")
I know someone who has a B.S. in Biology, and a Ph.D. in History. She is now a professor of History at a small college. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451/39 "2011-12-20T00:22:35Z")
I have a BA and an MS in communication, and I’m now working on a master’s in teaching. If I go on to a doctorate, it’ll be in instructional technology, but only if someone else pays for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-have-you-done-an-unusual-degree-progression/606451.md?page=1)