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Honors vs. Masters — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
Honors is a special distinction for high academic achievement in an undergraduate degree. Masters is a postgraduate degree that typically requires a bachelor's degree for admission and involves specialized study in a field.
Honors vs. Masters — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Honors and Masters

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Key Differences

Honors refers to a designation that signifies excellent academic performance during an undergraduate degree program. Masters, however, denotes a higher-level, postgraduate academic degree pursued after completing an undergraduate degree. While Honors is usually a part of the undergraduate experience, Masters is a separate academic pursuit that comes afterward.
Honors is often indicated by higher grades and possibly a more rigorous curriculum within an undergraduate program. Masters programs usually involve a deeper, more specialized study of a particular field. Both Honors and Masters signify a level of educational achievement, but they exist at different stages of the educational timeline.
The concept of Honors is often tied to specific courses or activities that are designed to challenge and engage high-performing undergraduate students. Masters programs, in contrast, are generally separate courses of study that may involve research, internships, and a thesis or capstone project. Honors can exist within the context of different academic disciplines, as can Masters, but Masters usually involves a more focused area of study.
In the United States, an Honors designation might come with the need to complete an Honors thesis or project. A Masters program typically culminates in a comprehensive exam, a project, or a thesis. While both Honors and Masters can make a resume more competitive, Masters is often a requirement for higher-level positions or further academic study such as a Ph.D.

Comparison Chart

Academic Level

Undergraduate
Postgraduate
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Requirement

High GPA, extra courses
Bachelor's degree

Focus

General excellence
Specialized study

Outcome

Honors designation
Masters degree

Typical Duration

Part of undergrad
1-2 years post-undergrad

Compare with Definitions

Honors

A special program for academically talented undergraduates.
He was admitted to the Honors program in his sophomore year.

Masters

A postgraduate academic degree.
She earned her Masters in Computer Science.

Honors

A designation indicating superior performance.
She received Honors in her major.

Masters

A specialized course of study after a bachelor's degree.
He entered a Masters program in Psychology.

Honors

A special track with more rigorous courses.
He took Honors calculus in his first semester.

Masters

A credential needed for many professional roles.
A Masters in Business Administration is required for the job.

Honors

High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.

Masters

Typically takes 1-2 years to complete.
She completed her Masters in just one year.

Honors

Great privilege
I have the honor of presenting the governor.

Masters

Often involves completing a thesis or project.
His Masters thesis explored renewable energy solutions.

Honors

Good name; reputation
I must defend my honor.

Masters

Plural of master

Honors

A source or cause of credit
Was an honor to the profession.

Masters

A master's degree.

Honors

A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.

Masters

United States poet (1869-1950)

Honors

Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.

Honors

Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.

Honors

A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.

Honors

Social courtesies offered to guests
Did the honors at tea.

Honors

High rank
Assumed the honor of kingship.

Honors

Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.

Honors

A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.

Honors

A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.

Honors

A woman's chastity or reputation for chastity.

Honors

(Sports) The right of being first at the tee in golf.

Honors

Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.

Honors

Often honors The points allotted to these cards.

Honors

To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.

Honors

To show respect for
Honored the volunteers with a party.

Honors

To confer distinction on
He has honored us with his presence.

Honors

To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing
Honor your partner.

Honors

To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.

Honors

Plural of honor

Honors

At an excelling level in academics.
I'm taking honors math this year.
Your kid may be an honors student, but you're still an idiot.

Honors

A recognition for academic excellence in an undergraduate program.
She graduated with Honors in Biology.

Honors

A thesis or project required for the Honors designation.
She completed her Honors thesis on climate change.

Common Curiosities

What is a Masters?

Masters is a postgraduate academic degree.

Is a Masters higher than Honors?

Yes, a Masters is a higher level of academic achievement and comes after an undergraduate degree.

How long does it usually take to complete Honors?

Honors is usually a part of a 4-year undergraduate degree.

Can you get Honors in a Masters program?

Generally, Honors are specific to undergraduate degrees, not Masters programs.

Do you need Honors to get into a Masters program?

Not necessarily, admission to Masters programs usually doesn't require an Honors designation.

What is Honors?

Honors is a designation for high academic achievement at the undergraduate level.

How long does it usually take to complete a Masters?

A Masters typically takes 1-2 years after an undergraduate degree.

What does a Masters program typically involve?

A Masters program involves specialized courses in a specific field and often a thesis, project, or exam.

Is an Honors degree a separate degree?

No, Honors is generally a designation added to an undergraduate degree, not a separate degree.

Can you go straight into a Masters program from an Honors program?

Yes, many people go directly from an undergraduate Honors program into a Masters program.

What does an Honors program typically involve?

An Honors program may involve more rigorous courses, a higher GPA requirement, and possibly a thesis or project.

Is a Masters degree a separate degree?

Yes, a Masters is a separate, postgraduate degree.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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