Colorado Technical University

Are there any famous people who earned masters or doctorate degrees without a bachelors degree or diploma?

A coworker asked me if I'd ever heard of someone remarkable and well-known who somehow got a masters or doctorate without a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree. Now, I know that Jane Goodall got a doctorate without a bachelors, but that's the only one I know. Any others?

Public Comments

1. There are honorary doctorates awarded to famous people and such, but I'm not so sure it's possible otherwise...it's generally necessary to have a basic education before you attempt to get a higher education. Why would you want to write a dissertation when you don't even have a diploma to prove you graduated high school? That's like becoming a professional driving instructor without ever having a permit.
2. A lot of celebrities are awarded honorary doctorates. Also, veterinary students often do not have bachelor's degrees but during vet school or after vet school pursue dual degrees and actually earn a masters and/or a PhD without ever completing a bachelor's degree