I know that this site is for mostly undergrad but i had a question about phds and i thought some you might help. So i just wanted to know what schools can let you enter a phd program without asking for a masters. There are schools like Princeton and stuff but those are hard to get into and i probably won’t get in. So i just wanted to ask about some schools. Also include European schools if you can. I am not sure if i will a 100% go this route but i just wanted to know my options. My another question is what schools offer a 1 year masters program. I am probably going to focus on international relations that is why i might look at European schools because that continent is very international(obvi). Thanks!
Many US universities will admit you directly to a PhD program without first getting a masters. Requiring a masters first is still done in some schools or some departments but it is kind of "old school.’ I earned my PhD at UC Davis without first getting a masters, and as I said there are many other schools that do that too. I’ve worked with a lot of other PhDs in my career, and I’d say that the majority of them did not earn a masters.
However, many European PhD programs will require a masters first (though some do not, look at requirements of the particular program you want to apply to).
Sometimes students get a masters first if they think they won’t be competitive for good PhD programs right out of undergrad. In a masters program, you can get more research experience if needed and beef up your research methods knowledge.
It is increasingly common for students from other countries to come here and get a masters degree as a stepping stone to a good PhD program. PhD admissions committees sometimes have a hard time evaluating the credentials and English skills of undergrads from other countries and choosing among students who have obtained a U.S. masters lowers the risk.
From undergrad, my sister went directly into a PhD program at Miami of Ohio.
I think it somewhat depends on your field
OP, are you still in high school? It is way too early to be thinking about this if you are.
^It does depend a lot on your field. In public health, for example - especially epidemiology - it’s really common to require a master’s before a PhD or prefer students with master’s degrees. In psychology, almost everyone goes straight through without a master’s. So it really depends.
I agree that if you are in high school trying to decide on a college, which it seems like you are, it is way too early to be thinking about this.