MS vs. PhD

[lena20]

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I'm a little unsure about the whole process of getting a PhD. Do most people first complete an MS after getting their B.S., and then go on to get a PhD? Is it fairly hard to get accepted into a PhD program straight out of college with only a B.S.? I was also wondering how long it usually takes to get an MS.

 

[housecleaning]

I'm a little unsure about the whole process of getting a PhD. Do most people first complete an MS after getting their B.S., and then go on to get a PhD? Is it fairly hard to get accepted into a PhD program straight out of college with only a B.S.? I was also wondering how long it usually takes to get an MS.

no, no, 1-2yrs.

 

[geg1633]

I'm a little unsure about the whole process of getting a PhD. Do most people first complete an MS after getting their B.S., and then go on to get a PhD? Is it fairly hard to get accepted into a PhD program straight out of college with only a B.S.? I was also wondering how long it usually takes to get an MS.

You usually get a PhD after you've completed your MS. It usually take 2 years to complete a MS, for engineering at least. It usually take 4 years to complete a PhD. Certain program, usually scientific program, allow people to get into a PhD program. But this type of program usually require the student to do a MS and then pursue their studies. In other words, it's still the same amount of time.

 

[housecleaning]

Certain program, usually scientific program, allow people to get into a PhD program. But this type of program usually require the student to do a MS and then pursue their studies. In other words, it's still the same amount of time.

i'll have to disagree here. this is the "biomedical research" forum; I would say the vast majority of people getting phd's don't get an m.s. first. i've never heard of a biomed research program requiring an ms first. and if you do choose to get an m.s., you'll be starting all over again for the phd unless you manage to stay at the same school where you earned your m.s.

i.e., 1-2yrs for an m.s., and 5-6yrs for the phd. thus, 6-8yrs for both (unless ms & phd are at the same school & you remain in the same lab).

 

[Scottish Chap]

i'll have to disagree here. this is the "biomedical research" forum; I would say the vast majority of people getting phd's don't get an m.s. first. i've never heard of a biomed research program requiring an ms first.

In Canada, it's required. In the U.S., an M.S. is awarded on the way to a Ph.D. in every case.

 

[dr.z]

In the U.S., an M.S. is awarded on the way to a Ph.D. in every case.

I don't think this is the case at all universitites in U.S. Where I am, I only get a masters if I join the masters program or if I quit my Ph.D. I got into Ph.D program, and I will only be recieving Ph.D. If you look around for faculty members, a lot of them don't have M.S. degree despite their Ph.D.

 

[Scottish Chap]

I don't think this is the case at all universitites in U.S. Where I am, I only get a masters if I join the masters program or if I quit my Ph.D. I got into Ph.D program, and I will only be recieving Ph.D. If you look around for faculty members, a lot of them don't have M.S. degree despite their Ph.D.

Most people have it, but it's not written after their name (I never write it). Ask your faculty. Anyway...not an important point.

 

[pseudoknot]

Most people have it, but it's not written after their name (I never write it). Ask your faculty. Anyway...not an important point.

The MS is only given if you leave or specifically request it at UC Santa Cruz and Caltech (two programs with which I'm personally familiar). I think this is the case with most bio programs, but those two I know for sure.

 

[Scottish Chap]

The MS is only given if you leave or specifically request it at UC Santa Cruz and Caltech (two programs with which I'm personally familiar). I think this is the case with most bio programs, but those two I know for sure.

Strange....where I was the M.S. certificate is given to all Ph.D. students admitted to doctoral candidacy. You had to FIGHT to get the M.S. if you left the Ph.D. program before that point since you will have basically gotten it 'for free'.

 

[mwbeah]

These are pretty generic requirements.

PhD PROGRAM: ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor's degree
• GRE score results
• TOEFL results (if your most recent academic degree is from a university where English is NOT the primary language of instruction)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
Incoming students without a strong background in basic biology are strongly encouraged to register for the course Introduction to the {whatever} ......... .............................................................



I am in a Neuroscience PhD program and there are only 2 of us out of 8 with Master's degrees.


Hope this helps,
Mike

 

[dr.z]

The MS is only given if you leave or specifically request it at UC Santa Cruz and Caltech (two programs with which I'm personally familiar). I think this is the case with most bio programs, but those two I know for sure.

I agree with this one. I know UCLA and USC is the same. If you left the program or kicked you out after 2 years, you got masters. Otherwise you only get Ph.D. I sure am only getting Ph.D.

 

[pramit]

These are pretty generic requirements.

PhD PROGRAM: ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor's degree
• GRE score results
• TOEFL results (if your most recent academic degree is from a university where English is NOT the primary language of instruction)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
Incoming students without a strong background in basic biology are strongly encouraged to register for the course Introduction to the {whatever} ......... .............................................................



I am in a Neuroscience PhD program and there are only 2 of us out of 8 with Master's degrees.


Hope this helps,
Mike

hello mike,
i am a medical graduate from India. i want to pursue a program involving research pertaining to neurobiology of stress or alternatively neuronal basis of behaviour.. as an international student i find it difficult to launch into such a specific search.
i want to apply to the MS Program for the fall of 2006.
my GRE was 1350/1600 and 5/6 on essay.

which is your college?
can you please guide me on all this.?
i eventually want to do my residency in psychiatry..
any advise will be welcome.
Dr Pramit Rastogi

 

[GradTX]

If you are sure about what you want to do, I would apply directly to PhD programs. As an MS student persuing her degree in order to change fields, I can tell you that most departments that offer PhDs treat MS students like crap. I'm one of the lucky ones who had funding, and I've had it pulled or threatened to be pulled many times (never mind the excellent GPA and publications...). Also, many professors don't like MS students working in their labs (or give them grunt work) because they want someone who will be around to do research for 3 or 4 years.

 

[dr.z]

If you are sure about what you want to do, I would apply directly to PhD programs. As an MS student persuing her degree in order to change fields, I can tell you that most departments that offer PhDs treat MS students like crap. I'm one of the lucky ones who had funding, and I've had it pulled or threatened to be pulled many times (never mind the excellent GPA and publications...). Also, many professors don't like MS students working in their labs (or give them grunt work) because they want someone who will be around to do research for 3 or 4 years.

Yeah, if you are certain about the path Ph.D way is better.