Universities in the USA that accept HND for Masters 2024
National Diploma of Higher Standards known as HND from the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Ghana are treated the same as associate degrees in the American education system. Although HND is hardly suitable only for direct entry into a master‘s program in American universities, there are many possibilities that HND holders can use to continue their education in the US.
Some US universities regard the HND as a way to participate in graduate admission. However, the HND can’t be a standalone for the admission process, but it must go together with some additional US college courses to be able to meet the requirements.
SEE ALSO: Tuition-Free Universities in the United States
Important Keys
Here are some key things to know in detail when looking to study for a master’s degree in the USA with an HND (Higher National Diploma) certificate:
- Equivalence – To make your HND bachelor’s degree equivalent in the US you need to get a certificate from the NARIC. You may be asked to provide a credential evaluation to check this. A lot of these HNDs are reciprocal, although they could be different based on whether it is a program, institution, grades, and so on.
- Only the execution – Check the requirements for application to the master’s program that interests you. Students will be required to have a certain GPA, take specific course units, and score highly on standardized tests (GRE/GMAT) or other criteria.
- Application components – Before starting on your graduate school application be informed that typical application components include transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, standardized test scores (if required), and supplemental materials that may include additional essays.
- Funding – It is time to search for what kinds of grants and scholarships are available to international students specializing in graduate studies. For this, the university might offer many types of assistance like research assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, or loans. FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) is the form to be filled out for all federal aid.
- Immigration regulations – Familiarize yourself with visa requirements for approval including whether the returned mission program is approved for the J-1 or F-1 student visa. Soon after that, you’ll be required to get an I-20 or DS-2019 form from your current university, where you are studying.
Moreover, being knowledgeable about these areas ahead of the application process will guarantee a smoother transition from HND (a kind of UK qualification not an equivalent of US systems) to US master’s programs. To find out details on your selected programs, it is advisable to reach out to their policies as well.
According to admission officials, the following universities plan to accept HND credentials for master’s programs in 2024:
- New York University (NYU)
- Boston University
- The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- University of Washington
- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
- Walden University
- Western Governors University (WGU)
- Purdue University Global
- University of Phoenix
- Capella University
- American InterContinental University (AIU)
- DeVry University
NYU allows students with an HND education to complete a bachelor’s degree at any of its campuses worldwide. Though they are to do it, they are to submit their first assignments in 2022 with the expectation that by 2024 they will be enrolled in a master’s program at NYU. Majors range from business to art, engineering, and many more.
A one-year bridge focus will be in place at Boston University next year. If the HND holders complete this bridge they will be conditionally accepted to the master’s programmes. This serves to bridge the gap and complete the US equivalent of the HNC and a baccalaureate degree.
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Commencing with the 2024 academic session, qualified HND graduates will be able to enroll for a bachelor’s degree at a partner community college and then rise to the select Ann Arbor master’s programs. The admission process is very selective, giving the readiness of the scholar in grades, test scores, and other scholarship attributions.
In 2024, The University of Washington will have a cooperation agreement, for learners with science, engineering, or math higher national diplomas (HNDs) to attend the related UW bachelor’s programs. When they finish the last one, they may start applying for their graduate programs on the other campus of Seattle.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Institutions like SNHU provide their online master’s programs and accept the HND credential for application in some master’s programs, particularly in business, IT, and data analytics fields.
Walden University allows HND holders to fast-track certain master’s programs, specifically MS in Instructional Design & Technology.
Western Governors University (WGU)
Dual enrollment agreement that lets HND-holders transfer in at credit level. Such type of transition may lead to a decrease in the duration and cost of a master’s study in the field of IT or business.
Purdue Global welcomes the overseas 3-year equivalent HND diploma for 20 % of its master program admissions in technology, nursing, education, and business courses.
HND-based applicants can get their HND assessment processed to enroll in master’s programs either directly or through credit transfer. Others could be given the nod to credit transfer.
Capella offers the flexibility of an online master’s program that could still be used in the UK for the above-mentioned fields: IT, human resources, psychology, and business.
American InterContinental University (AIU)
The AIU offers chances for the HND holders to be able to skip the first years in master’s degree programs in business, IT, healthcare management, and education.
DeVry considers HND applicants for technical domain master’s degree programs, including areas of IT, cybersecurity, and computer engineering. Credits may articulate.
Note: The offerings may differ in terms of the available programs and of departments and by the specific graduate programs. Students, who intend to apply for a graduate program at other schools should also contact the admission services to clarify the requirements for HND credentials holders. It is not hard to find a school where the Higher National Diploma (HND) is admitted in this and the next academic years.
Conclusion
Lastly, some universities in the USA are offering free online Master’s programs, but to make a good choice of program, the candidates must make a detailed review of each program’s contents, requirements and who is eligible. Some universities may provide free tuition programs, while others can have certain terms and fees for registration or sometimes both. In other words, due to the differences in the focus areas of such programs, the availability of free online programs in Master’s studies can also differ. As a result, a prospective student for the tuition-free online Master’s degree should see more than one University and pay enough attention to the details of the programs to find a desired fit for his/her academic and job career plans.