Is it necessary to finish my Masters degree before applying in a PHD program in another UNIV in US?

Question

or is it possible to apply WHILE i m in masters degree process??

Answer 1

In some fields of study, the masters degree is the terminal degree. A master of fine arts (MFA) is one such degree. It is unusual for someone to go on and obtain a doctorate in fine arts. In many fields, one can enter a doctoral program immediately after obtaining a bachelors degree. Very often these doctoral programs require that a masters thesis or project be completed in the second year. These are called non-terminal degree programs because if you successfully complete and defend your masters thesis you simply continue on studying for the doctorate. However, these masters degrees are useful because they often allow you to make more money as a part-time employee someplace while continuing your education.

They are also used as a screening device for the doctoral program. Sometimes students are asked to leave doctoral study after the first two years. It is the quality of work they do at the masters level which determines this. If they do very poorly they may be denied the masters degree and told to leave. If they are just not quite good enough for doctoral study, they can be granted the masters but not admitted to doctoral candidacy.

Many universities offer a masters degree without a doctoral program. This is usually done in fields where there is work that needs more education than a bachelors degree but that doesn't need everyone to have a doctorate. For example, the masters in social work (MSW) is a very useful degree but you can also get a doctorate in social work. These can also be used as stepping stone programs. If your academic credentials are not good enough for entry into a doctoral program, you can get a masters degree at one of these schools and demostrate your improved grades and commitment to the discipline.

So, you don't need to apply for and enter a separate masters program before applying to a doctoral program. Sometimes doing that can be useful for certain students but it isn't necessary for everyone. However, if you are already in a masters program you can/should apply for the doctoral programs before completing the masters program. This is just like applying for college when you are still in high school.

Answer 2

No, it is not necessary. To be in a master's program serves the purpose of getting you more acquainted with the field of study your career or future studies will demand from you. Take my case, for example. I've already obtained my bachelor's in Philosophy; however, I am not foolhearted and did not apply to get into a Ph. D program right off the bat. In other words, you must learn to crawl before you learn how to walk is all I'm trying to convey here. Now, at the near midpoint of my M.A. studies, if I wanted to I could apply to a Ph.D program and not have second thoughts about my apprehension of the material because the experience and preparation I've accumulated has been great. Nonetheless, I plan on seeing through this current venture I'm on with my sights definitely set on getting the Ph. D afterward. Therefore, it is all relative on whether you want to skip the M.A. or see it partially or completely through while striving for a Ph. D.

Answer 3

A lot depends on the reasoning behind the move you have planned. Most folks in Master's degree programs apply to doctoral schools in the fall or spring of their final year, so there is some overlap. If, however, you wish to apply to a Ph.D. program right out of the box (say, for example, after you've completed one semester--3-9 credits--of an M.A.), they may look at your application with some skepticism unless they can see (or, by your application essay, read) and understand your rationale for wanting to move on. If it's a change in programs, perhaps, or a step up to a much more prestigious school, they probably won't hold it against you. Plenty of people endure false starts in their graduate studies (when I was in my Ph.D. program, several of my peers essentially failed out and went to other schools with their degree partly completed), and getting in to another program is frequently just a matter of packaging the decision behind the move.

Answer 4

No. Most universities in the US that I am familiar with do not require work at nor completion of a Master's level degree PRIOR to going after a PhD. Most do however, see the obtainment of a Master's as a step on the educational learning path.

Answer 5

I imagine it depends on the program and field of study, but some people get into Ph.D. programs straight out of undergrad.

Answer 6

i thinl so unless ur going to get a degree in anatheisology than u could just train to be a nurse than specify. thats what ive heard anyway

Answer 7

well i think its not