Length of PhD program

[schoolpsych1]

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In looking at various PhD programs, some say the average is 5.2 years to finish, some 6 and some 7.2. What conditions make such a difference and does this criteria make any difference in whether you apply?

 

[terpskins10]

In looking at various PhD programs, some say the average is 5.2 years to finish, some 6 and some 7.2. What conditions make such a difference and does this criteria make any difference in whether you apply?

Some programs have more intense requirements than others and some people just take a long time to finish up their dissertation. It really depends.

I would say whether or not you apply is your personal preference. If it takes a program 8 years to graduate students on average and you really don't want to spend that kind of time on a program then maybe you shouldn't apply. However, I think it would be wise to really think about whether or not you want to pursue a PhD if you don't have the time or have other commitments that you may not be able to juggle (e.g. starting a family).

Just my .02.

 

[Salsybabe]

In looking at various PhD programs, some say the average is 5.2 years to finish, some 6 and some 7.2. What conditions make such a difference and does this criteria make any difference in whether you apply?

One program I applied to had an average finish rate of 5 years and another around 6 or 7 years. It helped getting interviews at both schools and getting to talk with students in the programs. The program with the 5 year finish rate really did have most students out in 5 years (that's where I am now) and in the other program I met a student who had been in the program for 7 years going on 8. There's no way I want to go to a school where students take that long to finish a PhD because it sent kind of a red flag to me on why that would be the case. At my current school, the faculty are incredibly supportive, I have a great adviser, and faculty really do help students get out in 5 years. The other program seemed like the faculty was supportive, but another student I talked to had been going months without working with a research adviser (no one really had her research interest). I think it would be a matter of deciding whether any of that mattered to you, but to me it did. It might depend on your adviser as well. I'm a school psych person also.

 

[okayroots06]

In looking at various PhD programs, some say the average is 5.2 years to finish, some 6 and some 7.2. What conditions make such a difference and does this criteria make any difference in whether you apply?

simply put, it doesn't make any difference when you apply whether or not you want to finish in 5 or 6 years.

in most cases, some 4th year clinical students may have the option of applying to internships if they accumulated enough clinical hours. its usually difficult to match if you're a 4th year but its definitely something that can be accomplished.

lastly, if it takes you more than 7 years, most competitive places (ucla, vanderbilt, northwestern, temple, etc.) will kick you out. that rarely happens, so you don't need to worry about that happening.

 

[schoolpsych1]

I wouldn't want to take 7 years if possible. I was looking at multi-cultural programs and Penn State was one that had a 7 year average. Since I would be lucky to get into any, I don't want to be fussy, but I remember a student tellling me to be careful of programs that had over 6 years listed, but at the time I was a freshman and wasn't as focused on grad school.

I am going to apply to EdS programs also, but would like the flexibility of a PhD, I would be happy in a school environment, but don't know if that would be the case 10-15 years down the road. It would be nice to know there were options. Getting it later when you are working and starting a family, etc. might be doable but harder.