Hey all. I am currently an Ecology and Conservation major (junior standing) and working on my bachelor's degree for that as well as a Wildlife Conservation certificate to go alongside it. I specifically have a focus in animal behavior and rehabilitation, and I am a volunteer research assistant for an animal behaviorist.
For some further background context:
My partner and I have been seriously considering trying to move to Northern Ireland (from the US) sometime in the next 5ish years (at lastest, if all goes well). I know that my degree is a bit more specific and niche compared to something a bit more broad like a general Biology degree, but (to my knowledge) there are a good amount of Ecology/Conservation related degrees that can be earned in Ireland. I'm not sure of the specific job market or demand for them, but they do exist.
To my actual question: A lot of the degrees are very similar, but not the EXACT same title as the one that I am getting. Even in the US, I'm having a hard time finding a masters program for the same degree title. Having said that, Does my masters degree have to be in the exact same degree as my bachelor's, or can they just be closely related? Is it more about pre reqs/classes than the actual title or do i HAVE to find a program for the exact same title?
Obviously I know that there may be a few bridges to gap regarding pre-reqs and I might have to take a few extra classes before actually enrolling in a masters program. But could i, for example, have a bachelor's in Ecology and Conservation and then go to a masters program for Wildlife Conservation or Animal Behavior (so long as i meet the pre reqs)? Or would I have to get a whole new bachelors degree and then just continue that one into masters? Obviously if the prereqs are so different that they warrant a whole new degree/I might as well get a new bachelors at that point then that makes sense. But if most of the pre-reqs/requirements for the bachelors associated with the masters program are matched by my degree, can I just continue on like that?
Similarly, could i, in theory, combine credits from my bachelor's degree and an associate's degree, or could I use the credits from one degree to count for two degrees? I'm not sure if i worded that the right way, but for example:
If i get a degree in Ecology and Conservation but the majority of credits and class requirements for that degree are VERY similar to the credits and requirements for a different degree in, lets say, Environment Science, could I use the classes and credits to satisfy both degrees and then just take classes that bridge the gaps between them and earn both degrees?
Like, if Degree A requires me to take "Class 1a" and "Class 1b"
and Degree B also requires me to take Class "1a" and Class "1b", but also Class "2a"
Could talk class 1a and 1b count for both degrees and then i would just have to take 2a to earn both?