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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dec 16, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual who has completed a degree program
A specific advanced degree beyond the bachelor's level
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Level of Education
Can refer to any level of higher education
Specifically refers to postgraduate education
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Type of Degree
General term for any completed degree
Specific type of degree focusing on advanced study
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Educational Focus
Completion of a course of study
Specialized courses and research in a specific field
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Typical Requirement
Completing undergraduate or graduate programs
Completing advanced coursework and often a thesis
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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.
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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.
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Dec 11, 2023
Graduate
Someone who has earned a degree, whether undergraduate or postgraduate.
As a recent graduate, he is exploring various career options.
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Masters
An academic degree beyond the undergraduate level.
Obtaining a Masters degree often opens more professional opportunities.
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Graduate
Refers to completing an academic degree or program.
After becoming a graduate, she pursued a career in research.
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Masters
A graduate degree emphasizing specialized knowledge and research.
Her Masters thesis in Environmental Science won an award for its innovation.
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Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
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Masters
An advanced academic degree following a bachelor's degree.
He is studying for his Masters in Engineering at a prestigious university.
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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).
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Masters
A postgraduate degree requiring advanced study in a specific field.
She earned her Masters in Business Administration in two years.
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Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
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Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
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Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
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Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
Graduate an income tax.
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Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
Graduate a thermometer.
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Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
Graduate courses.
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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.
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Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
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Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
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Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
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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.
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Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
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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.
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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.
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Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
Sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
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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
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Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
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Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
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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.
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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.
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Dec 10, 2023
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
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Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
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Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
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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
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Graduate
Receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
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Graduate
Confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
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Graduate
Make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Calibrate an instrument
Graduate a cylinder
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Graduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
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Graduate
An individual who holds a degree from an educational institution.
The graduate program at the university attracts students from around the world.
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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.
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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.
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Dec 16, 2023
What is a graduate?
A graduate is someone who has completed a degree program at a college or university.
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Dec 16, 2023
What is a Masters degree?
A Masters degree is an advanced academic degree following a bachelor's degree.
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Dec 16, 2023
What are the requirements for a Masters degree?
Masters degrees usually require completing advanced coursework and often a thesis.
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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.
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How long does it take to complete a Masters?
Typically, a Masters degree takes 1-2 years of full-time study.
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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.
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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.
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Can a graduate program lead to a Masters?
Yes, graduate programs can lead to a Masters or doctoral degree.
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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.
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Are Masters degrees specialized?
Yes, Masters degrees are typically specialized in a specific area of study.
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Can you become a graduate online?
Yes, you can become a graduate through online degree programs.
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Are there different types of Masters degrees?
Yes, there are various types, such as MA (Master of Arts) and MS (Master of Science).
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What fields offer Masters degrees?
Masters degrees are offered in a wide range of fields, from arts to sciences.
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What career opportunities open up with a Masters?
A Masters degree can lead to advanced professional roles and higher salaries.
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What is the purpose of a Masters degree?
A Masters degree provides specialized knowledge and skills in a specific field.
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Is a Masters degree more advanced than a bachelor's?
Yes, a Masters is a more advanced degree than a bachelor's.
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What is the difference in salary between graduates and Masters holders?
Masters degree holders often earn higher salaries compared to bachelor's degree graduates.
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Can graduates pursue further education?
Yes, graduates, including those with a Masters, can pursue further education like a PhD.
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Dec 16, 2023
Is a thesis always required for a Masters?
Not always, but many Masters programs require a thesis or capstone project.
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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.
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