Graduate vs. Masters: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A Graduate refers to someone who has completed a degree program, while a Masters is a specific advanced degree beyond the bachelor's level.
Key Differences
Graduate generally refers to an individual who has completed any level of higher education, including bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. Masters, on the other hand, specifically refers to an advanced degree that follows the completion of a bachelor's degree. Both represent significant academic achievements.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
A graduate can be someone who has recently completed their undergraduate education or any higher degree. In contrast, a Masters is a specific type of graduate degree that focuses on advanced study in a particular field. Both are essential steps in academic and professional advancement.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
The term graduate is often used to describe students who have completed a degree at a university or college. Masters, however, refers to a particular level of graduate education, usually involving specialized courses and research. Both terms are key in the context of higher education.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Graduate can also refer to students who are currently enrolled in a post-bachelor's degree program, including master's or doctoral programs. In contrast, Masters is the degree awarded upon completion of specific graduate-level coursework and, often, a thesis or capstone project. Both are milestones in a student's academic journey.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
In the context of education, a graduate signifies the completion of a course of study, which can range from an associate's degree to a doctoral degree. Masters specifically signifies a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges. Both represent different levels of academic achievement.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual who has completed a degree program
A specific advanced degree beyond the bachelor's level
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Level of Education
Can refer to any level of higher education
Specifically refers to postgraduate education
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Type of Degree
General term for any completed degree
Specific type of degree focusing on advanced study
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Educational Focus
Completion of a course of study
Specialized courses and research in a specific field
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Typical Requirement
Completing undergraduate or graduate programs
Completing advanced coursework and often a thesis
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Graduate and Masters Definitions
Graduate
A person who has completed a degree program at a college or university.
She became a graduate after completing her bachelor's degree in biology.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Masters
A degree awarded after completing specific post-bachelor's coursework.
He chose to pursue a Masters in Literature to deepen his understanding of the field.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
Someone who has earned a degree, whether undergraduate or postgraduate.
As a recent graduate, he is exploring various career options.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Masters
An academic degree beyond the undergraduate level.
Obtaining a Masters degree often opens more professional opportunities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
Refers to completing an academic degree or program.
After becoming a graduate, she pursued a career in research.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Masters
A graduate degree emphasizing specialized knowledge and research.
Her Masters thesis in Environmental Science won an award for its innovation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Masters
An advanced academic degree following a bachelor's degree.
He is studying for his Masters in Engineering at a prestigious university.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
To change gradually or by degrees
"The most weighty of all the arguments against treating the races of man as distinct species, is that they graduate into each other" (Charles Darwin).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Masters
A postgraduate degree requiring advanced study in a specific field.
She earned her Masters in Business Administration in two years.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
Graduate an income tax.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
Graduate a thermometer.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
Graduate courses.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
If the government wants graduates to stay in the country they should offer more incentives.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To be recognized by a school or university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
The man graduated in 1967.
Trisha graduated from college.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
(transitive) To certify (a student) as having earned a degree
Indiana University graduated the student.
The college graduated him as soon as he was no longer eligible to play under NCAA rules.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
(transitive) To mark (something) with degrees; to divide into regular steps or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
Sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of.
To graduate the heat of an oven
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
(Japanese entertainment) Of an idol: to exit a group; or of a virtual YouTuber, to leave a management agency; usually accompanied with "graduation ceremony" send-offs, increased focus on the leaving member, and the like.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.
Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To take a degree in a college or university; to become a graduate; to receive a diploma.
He graduated at Oxford.
He was brought to their bar and asked where he had graduated.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
One who has received an academical or professional degree; one who has completed the prescribed course of study in any school or institution of learning.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A measuring instrument for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Calibrate an instrument
Graduate a cylinder
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
An individual who holds a degree from an educational institution.
The graduate program at the university attracts students from around the world.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
A term for students who have finished their course of study.
The university holds a special ceremony to honor its graduates each year.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a graduate refer to a Masters student?
Yes, a graduate can refer to someone who has completed any degree, including a Masters.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What is a graduate?
A graduate is someone who has completed a degree program at a college or university.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What is a Masters degree?
A Masters degree is an advanced academic degree following a bachelor's degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What are the requirements for a Masters degree?
Masters degrees usually require completing advanced coursework and often a thesis.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can you be a graduate without a Masters?
Yes, you can be a graduate with just a bachelor's or associate's degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
How long does it take to complete a Masters?
Typically, a Masters degree takes 1-2 years of full-time study.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is a graduate degree the same as a Masters?
A graduate degree can be a Masters, but it also includes doctoral degrees.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
How does a graduate differ from an undergraduate?
A graduate has completed a degree program, while an undergraduate is still pursuing it.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can a graduate program lead to a Masters?
Yes, graduate programs can lead to a Masters or doctoral degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Do all graduates have a Masters degree?
No, not all graduates have a Masters degree; some have bachelor's or doctoral degrees.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Are Masters degrees specialized?
Yes, Masters degrees are typically specialized in a specific area of study.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can you become a graduate online?
Yes, you can become a graduate through online degree programs.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Are there different types of Masters degrees?
Yes, there are various types, such as MA (Master of Arts) and MS (Master of Science).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What fields offer Masters degrees?
Masters degrees are offered in a wide range of fields, from arts to sciences.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What career opportunities open up with a Masters?
A Masters degree can lead to advanced professional roles and higher salaries.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What is the purpose of a Masters degree?
A Masters degree provides specialized knowledge and skills in a specific field.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is a Masters degree more advanced than a bachelor's?
Yes, a Masters is a more advanced degree than a bachelor's.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What is the difference in salary between graduates and Masters holders?
Masters degree holders often earn higher salaries compared to bachelor's degree graduates.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can graduates pursue further education?
Yes, graduates, including those with a Masters, can pursue further education like a PhD.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is a thesis always required for a Masters?
Not always, but many Masters programs require a thesis or capstone project.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
Hifza Nasir
