<p>Is there any disadvantage to NOT getting a masters degree and just getting a Phd?
Is it worth getting a MS if you're gonna get a PhD afterwords anyway?</p>
<p>In most PhD programs, an MS is automatically attained on the way to the PhD for someone coming in with only a BS. The program goes coursework -> MS thesis -> qualifying exam -> more coursework -> doctoral thesis. The coursework and MS thesis get you an MS, whether you want one or not. After the qualifying exam (assuming you pass), you are officially a “PhD candidate”. If you already have an MS, then you often can go straight to the qualifying exam.</p>
<p>I don’t know if there are programs that just go BS to PhD. Even if there are, you’re better off getting an MS because if you fail the qualifying exam (or burn out later) this lets you either (1) walk away with the consolation prize of an MS or (2) apply to another university and take their qualifying exam, with the MS allowing you to skip their coursework saving you 1-2 years of time and tuition. So you should almost always get an MS before PhD.</p>
<p>For me to get my MS on my way to my PhD I just had to fill out two pages of paperwork and get three signatures.</p>
<p>If you get into a PhD program without a previously earned MS, you’ll probably be awarded a master’s degree “in course” as part of your normal progress towards the PhD degree. Some programs, e.g. MIT EECS, don’t even offer the MS as a stand alone degree. In other words, you can only earn an MS if you are enrolled as a PhD student. The exception to this rule are MIT’s own EECS graduates, who can earn an MEng (rather than an MS) as part of an integrated 5-year dual bachelor’s/master’s program. </p>
<p>In other schools like CMU’s ECE, the main difference between getting into the PhD program with or without an MS is the number of classes you are required to take. Typically, a minimum of eight courses are required if you hold a BS only, whereas, if you come into the program already with a master’s, that number goes down to four. In both cases though, you will still have to pass the PhD qualifying exam, with the difference that students with an MS must take the qualifying earlier. </p>
<p>In practice, many PhD students take far more graduate classes than the minimum requirement anyway (to increase their breadth/depth or prepare for the quals), so it doesn’t really matter that much whether you already have a master’s or not.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your insights! Another question:</p>
<p>So I know its easier to get to unfunded MS program, but I ultimately want a PhD. So is the best choice of option to apply to both the MS program and the Phd program of a given school? Is it possible to apply to both like that? If not, then what should I apply for?</p>