Automatic consideration for master's if declined from phd?

Graduate School
1

<p>If you apply for direct phd programs, do they automatically consider you for their master's program? </p>

<p>If some odd chance, I might get rejected by all the schools I applied for, maybe I should have considered applying for master's and then eventually working my way to a PHD. </p>

<p>Also, I see most posters saying that master's students are mostly unfunded. Is this true for the engineering field? I have many grad students in my field that "master students are funded." </p>

<p>Also, is it generally faster to get a PHD in direct PHD program or getting a master's then PhD? I think most direct programs are ~5 years. Master programs are probably ~1-2 years and then the PhD program would be another ~3-4 years which would seem to match the directPhD program, but I'm not sure.</p>

2

<p>

Sometimes, but not normally. Some applications will also explicitly ask you if you want to be considered for the Master’s program if they cannot admit you to the PhD program.</p>

<p>

I can only speak for engineering at Stanford. At Stanford, all Master’s students in engineering are admitted without funding. Some students find funding in the form of an RA or TA position after they have enrolled.</p>

<p>

Consecutive Master’s and PhD degrees normally take longer than going straight to a PhD, unless you pursue them in the same department. If you switch departments, you’ll have to go through a different qualifying procedure and get started with a new research group.</p>