A lot of Masters degrees now have a non-thesis option, owing to the fact that many students are adults who work full-time, and simply may not have the time to write one. HOWEVER....... candidates still have to pass an exam and maintain a portfolio of their work. It isn't like a non-thesis option gets you off any hooks. You still have to do the work.

There's been quite a few of our Presidents who didn't go to college at all.