what is the exact different between a masters degree and a doctorate?

Answer 1

A Master's degree takes anywhere from one to three years of coursework, depending on one's field of study. It is also usually mandatory to write and defend a thesis before being granted the degree. At the Master's level, a thesis is usually between 50 and 100 pages in length, summative and analytical in method, and does not require original contributions to scholarship.

A PhD degree usually takes between 5 and 8 years to complete. Only a couple of those years will involve actual coursework. The rest of the time, a student must prepare for and pass examinations in languages and specific areas of academic specialization. (These are usually called qualifyiing exams or comprehensive exams.) A PhD candidate must then write and defend a dissertation, which is usually over 200 pages in length, and MUST be an original contribution to scholarship.

There are other differences as well, but I have provided just a general guideline, and have not attempted to be complete.

Answer 2

Just to add to the above answer, a general outline is that a Bachelor's degree teaches the student how to solve closed-form problems, where there is a well defined question and answer; the Master's teaches the student to solve open-ended problems, where work is required to define the question itself; and a PhD makes a unique contribution to the body of knowledge.

So the Bachelor's teaches you how to excel in the work force, the Masters gives you in-depth understanding while teaching you how to lead, and the PhD requires you to learn more about your chosen subject than any other person on Earth. Very general outline.

Answer 3

It is like the difference between a meal from a drive-through window and one from a five star restaurant.

The lower degree may have some independent research described in a paper. The higher one will have a major topic independently researched with some unique new information summarized well and defended orally in front of a learned committee.