How Do I Get a Master of Applied Science Degree?

To obtain a Master of Applied Science degree, you must complete several steps in a structured process. You must first earn a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, such as physics, biology, or chemistry. Choose an area of science that lends itself to applied science rather than theoretical science. After the completion of a bachelor's degree program in an applied science field, you should take the general and subject portions of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), after which you can apply to the school with the Master of Applied Science program that you want to attend.

For a bachelor's degree in field related to applied science, you must complete your lower division coursework at a community college or a four-year college. Successful completion of advanced placement exams is another way of getting college credit for various lower division classes. Your first 60 credit hours will be in general education, including introductory science courses, all of the prerequisites that you need to either transfer to a four-year institution or to take the upper division coursework for your major.

The upper division phase of your bachelor's degree program will focus primarily on courses in your chosen field. For example, if you are studying physics, your courses will be almost entirely in mechanics or electromagnetics. You must complete between 40 and 60 credit hours of upper division coursework, in which you should strive to maintain a high grade point average, in order to complete you bachelor's degree.

While completing the final year of your bachelor's degree program, ask for letters of recommendation from instructors in your major courses. Make sure that the professors you ask to write letters can attest to your academic aptitude and your likelihood of high achievement in a post-graduate science program. In your final year, you should also prepare to take the general and subject tests of the GRE. There are many practice exams that are available online and in the testing center at your university.

You can now apply to a Master of Applied Science program. If your current institution offers such a program, it may be beneficial to apply to it as your chances of gaining acceptance might be better than at other institutions. You may also want to apply to other Master of Applied Science programs. Once in a program, you must complete between 30 and 40 credit hours of graduate coursework as well as a research project, a thesis, or a comprehensive exit examination.