<p>Hi I'm a foreign student and I'm thinking of getting a masters in physics. How long will this take at a top American institution? And how long would it take to get a PhD?? I'm sorry if this is very duh! I'm gonna be studying full time so no other distractions like a job or anything. Thank you</p>
<p>Many top schools don’t offer master’s degrees in the sciences; they offer PhDs only.</p>
<p>The length to PhD varies, because there’s no set program to complete. A student graduates when his or her committee (a group of a few professors familiar with his/her research) decides that he or she is ready to graduate.</p>
<p>Most US biology PhD programs average about 5.5-6 years in duration. I’m not sure if physics is significantly different than that.</p>
<p>I see. Well is it too big a leap from undergrad course to a PhD i.e. should I do a masters first and then go on to a PhD? Sorry if these are very silly questions but I’ve really got no idea how it works</p>
<p>For those schools that offer stand-alone masters degrees, 2-3 years is the norm and I have heard of research-based masters taking as short as 1 year or as long as 5 (deliberate lingering).</p>
<p>The PhD is trickier. </p>
<p>Most schools will take you without a masters, depending on your field. The degree then takes 4-7 years, almost never faster and most schools put a time limit on completion (usually 8 years). During this time you may or may not be awarded a masters depending on the program - some will give you a masters if you fail quals, then kick you out.</p>
<p>If you already have a masters from a different school, you can generally finish in 3-5 more years. Again, there is a time limit, but it is from your time at the new school, so your time at the old school is irrelevent.</p>
<p>Should you get your masters first? It depends on your circumstances. Most masters degrees are unfunded, so you better have deep pockets, but it gives you a more flexible “try” at grad school if YOU are unsure about it. PhD programs are usually funded, and you can still drop out if you want to, perhaps collecting a masters in the process and still with the ability to go somewhere else later (although there is some stigma…).</p>
<p>Personally, if you think you can handle it and are not independently wealthy, I’d say go PhD.</p>
<p>Thank you cosmicfish. That was very informative. You mentioned that most masters programs are unfunded. How bad is this? I mean, regular undergrad college is technically unfunded too but many kids get aid/scholarships etc as well. Is that kind of financial aid available for a masters degree?</p>
<p>While there are an abundance of scholarships for undergrad, there are very very few fellowships for masters candidates. Almost all of the money is saved for PhD candidates.</p>
<p>There are very few (if any) outright grants for masters degrees, unlike undergrad.</p>
<p>Loans are both better and worse - Stafford loans have higher limits, but also higher rates, and as a foreign national you are ineligible in any case. Private loans right now are much harder to get, but have a better rate than most years.</p>
<p>Tuition for grad school is usually on the same order as undergrad, sometimes a bit higher. US citizens can at least choose their state school to save some cash with the reduced rate, but again that is an option not open to you - you would pay full price ($20-50k / year).</p>
<p>Generally speaking, if you want to do a masters (no PhD) you need to get $20-30k (skip the expensive schools) per year, either out of your own pocket, from an employer, or from loans. If you take that from loans, think about how long it will take to pay them back. Many masters degrees are not financially worth the expense of the loans.</p>
<p>Thanks again… Looks like its smarter to do a PhD right after graduation.</p>
<p>Apply for both in parallel - some schools do offer funding to select masters candidates, and if you get that funding and are still hesitant it will provide a solid route. But there are many more funded opportunities going straight to PhD.</p>
<p>Right. But do any schools have both options? A direct PhD and a Masters followed by a PhD? And do these places allow me to apply for both?</p>
<p>If you apply to the Ph.D. program that offers both a Ph.D. and a non-terminal MA/MS, they will usually offer you admission to the Masters if you’re not quite qualified for the Ph.D.</p>
<p>Phyz, are you from a British system or any other system with a 3 year undergrad degree? If so, you will need to do a masters before you are eligible for Phd programs. If you have done a 4 year undergrad, you can apply to Phd programs right away.</p>
<p>4 years… National University of Singapore… They gave me a full ride and so i have to do a six year bond (work for any singapore registered company). They will defer this bond by five years if I choose to do a PhD overseas. They defer it by two years for every masters course. Now I dunno what to do.
a) Work first then do higher education with no problems
b) Get a masters then a Phd so I get a total deferral of seven years
c) Do the PhD in five (What if I can’t finish in five years?)</p>
<p>a) Possible, and is up to you, but 5 years is a long break…</p>
<p>b) Better, but it largely depends on whether or not you feel comfortable committing to the PhD and whether or not you can afford the masters if not funded.</p>
<p>c) Also better, and do not worry too much about the 5 years - discuss this with your potential advisors, you should be able to find some who will help you to get out in time. If you run over, talk to the bond holder - they may be able to tweak your deferal rather than waste 5 years.</p>
<p>You’re absolutely right. I’ve been thinking along the same lines. I can’t afford a masters if I’m not funded so that is a big problem but certainly, a negotiation with the bond holder would be the best I can do I guess.
If there are any physics PhDs out there, it’d be great if you could give me an estimate on the odds of finishing a PhD in under five years… I’m no genius but am fairly smart and don’t mind working that little bit extra everyday.</p>