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I've been wondering if it possible to transfer out of a master's program into a doctoral program before completing the master's(and maybe even more then possible is this an okay/wise thing to do)?
Transfer from a master's to a doctoral program?
- Thread starter GradStudent87
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I don't know anyone personally who has gone this route but I was facing the dillema of going to a masters if I didn't get into a phd program when I really wanted to go straight into a phd. My advisor told me that I didn't necessarily have to finish the masters-not sure how this would look in the long run unless you didn't ever need to bring up your transcripts (which may be more difficult if you obtain your ba and masters at the same school). Then again, if you are obtaining a masters along the way when getting a phd who says you need to complete the masters at a different school first?
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Yes I know two people who've done it. Some of your Master's credits might transfer too! I think it's a wise thing to do if you're unhappy with your Master's program as the two people I know were.
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Who would you get to write your reference letters, though? Wouldn't you have to tell your supervisor that you were unhappy with their program and that you wanted to leave? I imagine that would make it difficult to get a letter from them. What did your friends do?
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Yea I was thinking that too it would make it harder to get LOR's if you left a program or if you just didn't go to a master's but I guess you could still use undergraduate LOR's if it's only a year later.
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They were both unhappy with the lack of opportunities at their programs so they were volunteering in labs so I'm guessing they got at least one from there. I'll ask one of them and get back to you 🙂
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absolutely. i know two individuals who did not finish their masters program at nyu and enrolled into a clinical ph.d program.
not sure how common it is, but its def. been done before.
not sure how common it is, but its def. been done before.
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I am "transferring" from a MA program to a Doctoral program in the fall. I wouldn't really call it transferring because none of my credits will be transferred. Which I am okay with....I just need to boost my credentials to get into a funded Phd program.
I had no problems getting letters of recc because my professors and advisor understood that I wanted to pursue my doctorate. They actually encouraged me to do so. I would think that if you start talking to you prof. about your interest in pursuing a doctorate they would want to help you.
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Yea same here, I don't really care if my credits get transfered over, would be thrilled if some did but don't expect that. I more so am thinking like you I want to take master's classes to boost my credentials but to try to get into a doctoral program in one year as opposed to having to go through an entire master's program which would be extra time/money.
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I did the same thing as you and had a simliar experience with the LOR's. I got two of my letters from two professors in my masters program, one from the head of the lab that I RA in, and one from the chief extern of the school that I was applying to (Met her while RAing at my lab). My two professors were more than happy to help me strive for my ultimate goal of a doctorate and didn't take my leaving the program personally, infact they encouraged my leaving to fulfill my goals. Hope this little rant helped 😀
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Is it a must that you get new LOR's from Professors at your master's program? I mean I know for sure if you develop a strong relationship with someone in the program and get a letter from them. However considering if I was to transfer I may only have spent one semester in the program when my pplications for doctoral schools would be due, would it be okay to use references either from undergrad prof's or from volunteer/work supervisors assuming that it may be difficult to develop a really strong letter from a professor in a master's program after only a semester their?
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I would just go with whoever you feel knows you the best. It certainly would be hard to get to know somoone over one semester so in your situation I would probably stick to other sources. I don't think it would hurt you to not have master's level LORs.
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Yes, it is certainly possible to do so, I know many people who have done so. However, it is more challenging to do than if you had completed your master's degree. 🙂
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Whys that? Just in the sense you won't get as strong LOR's or is the process of transfering difficult?
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It's just that they like to see a completed degree a lot of times, from what I've heard, you haven't done an internship, & yes, you haven't cemented any solid relationships for LORs. It's done, I'm not discouraging you from doing it if you can! I'm just saying that they tend to look more favorably on a completed master's. Either way, best of luck to you!
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It's just that they like to see a completed degree a lot of times, from what I've heard, you haven't done an internship, & yes, you haven't cemented any solid relationships for LORs. It's done, I'm not discouraging you from doing it if you can! I'm just saying that they tend to look more favorably on a completed master's. Either way, best of luck to you!
Fair enough, I have done volunteer/internship stuff as an undergraduate and am planning on trying to do more volunteer work between now and when I would apply for schools in December. I also hope to get in a professor's lab as early as the summer so they would at least get some time to know me if I did end up going with this option to transfer. My undergrad letters come from a supervisor whose lab i volunteered in but we never really developed that personal of a relationship. I also have a supervisor for my volunteer work and another professor who I got A in two of her classes. I feel I certainly could get stronger recommendations in graduate school but was optomistically hoping I could transfer out without completing the master's just to save time/money but I know it may be impractical. Thanks for the advice anyway.
