I think this may be a bigger problem in the US than other countries. In the UK you have to follow a path normally to get accepted. If you go through points systems you will get interviewed about why you want to do the course, there you have to demonstrate a real reason if it wasnt the courses you studied previously.
I went through university and come out with the degree then went into a job in my field. Not many people change their course here and if they do its normally in the same vein.