Master and PhD Degrees: which Option to Choose

Master and PhD Degrees: which Option to Choose

Are you thinking about continuing your studies after getting an undergraduate degree? If the answer is affirmative, you might want to know what the dissimilarity between the Master’s and PhD degrees is. There are many factors that influence students’ decision about starting their graduate studies. It should be noted that there is a broad range of academic areas they may obtain a degree in. After choosing a specific field of study, you may hesitate about whether to enroll on the Master’s or PhD educational program. Mind the following points.

Master’s versus PhD: which Degree Is Higher?

A Master’s degree is the one that students obtain before PhD. However, the latter is considered more honorary. It does not mean that all students have to work for getting all academic degrees. Still, one should know the sequence which they follow each other. A Bachelor’s degree is the first one, then, a Master’s degree goes, and finally, PhD.

How much Time Is Needed to Obtain a Master’s Degree?

Getting a Master’s degree requires much time. Nonetheless, obtaining a PhD degree takes even more time and effort. Usually, students taking full-time studies need two years to get their Master’s degree.

What about a PhD Degree?

Getting a PhD degree takes about five or six years. However, some students study even seven or nine years.

Which Degree Is more “Expensive”?

Since completing PhD educational programs takes more time than any other one, it, as a result, takes more money. However, the other side of the coin is that holding PhD in a specific area allows one to earn rather a good salary. Therefore, it is worth the paid money.

It goes without saying that studying takes a lot of money, regardless of the degree you are obtaining. Moreover, the students who do not work during their academic years or receive very low income are even in worse situation than those having great jobs. As a result, many of them have to either live frugally while studying or apply for student loans.

Complete Dedication to Studies

It is no secret that the one who wants to obtain a Master’s or PhD degree has to work very hard. However, those who have not paid much attention to college studies are a little bit startled when they realize how much effort they need to make to get the desirable degree. Sometimes taking graduate courses turns into a real challenge. Students are always heavily overloaded with endless projects. In order to avoid failure and attain the set goal, they have to show sheer persistence. It is necessary to state that that there is clear difference between college and graduate studies. Here, it goes about the capability of students to concentrate on the research area they are interested in. Graduate studies demand total commitment and willingness to go the extra mile to achieve remarkable results. The majority of students taking graduate courses consider the educational process rather engaging since they are involved in the activity they have chosen on their own.

Considering Choices

Now it is absolutely clear that graduate courses require much time, efforts, money and dedication to getting either a Master’s or PhD degree. Thus, what do you opt for?

A Master’s degree lets the holder concentrate on building a career in the chosen filed, while a PhD degree means being actively involved in research activity. If you are mainly focused on earning great profits, PhD must be the wrong direction. However, if you enjoy studying different academic issues and have a strong desire to make a brilliant academic career, then getting PhD is right for you.

Advantages of Holding a Master’s Degree

A Master’s degree has obvious advantage over the PhD one, as it does not require so much time and money. Then, it will give you a competitive edge over those holding a Bachelor’s degree only. Moreover, by obtaining a Master’s degree, you will gain professional qualification in the respective area. Master’s degree holders who have been occupying a specific position for a long period of time are able to continue their studies to broaden their knowledge and achieve a higher rank. One should also keep in mind that holding a Master’s degree is a great opportunity to change careers. For example, if you have been holding a particular position and found out that it did not bring you success, completing a Master’s degree educational program is an excellent chance to find the direction you are eager to move in.

Benefits of Getting a PhD Degree

If you intend to become a professor, holding a PhD degree is a must. Certainly, you may get a job at college or university even with a Master’s degree. Still, many educational establishments are more interested in the candidates who are ready to work towards their PhD. Obtaining PhD is rather beneficial as it helps its holders find a decent job even in the fields that do not relate to academic area. For example, a lot of companies on the business market are looking for proficient people ready to acquire new skills in a certain area. It is necessary to admit that there are some cases where holding a Master’s degree is just not enough.

In order to get PhD in a particular field, one needs to brainstorm ideas, undertake in-depth research on the specific matter, and develop new theories. Therefore, if you decide to obtain such a degree, you should have passion for studies.

By the way, distance learning is a good way of getting a specific degree. You are welcome to access our website, i.e. GreatDissertation.com, to see what graduate courses are available on the Internet.

Do You still Hesitate?

It may be worth getting a PhD degree if you are mad about your academic area, like gaining knowledge, and desire to enjoy the advantages it offers. However, if you are not aimed at working in one field of study only nor you want to spend five or more years studying, consider getting a Master’s degree.

If you decide to work towards a PhD degree, you will have higher chances of getting financial aid. Everyone understands that students intending to obtain PhD need more money than those aimed at a Master’s degree. Such a statement, in its turn, leads to the following:

First, if you want to enroll on the PhD program but still hesitate, you should take this step. Bear in mind that you will not be penalized if you decide to that holding a Master’s degree is enough. At the same time, you will be able to get financial aid. Second, the admission requirements for those who want to get PhD are more demanding than for those who desire to obtain a Master’s degree. It means that it will be harder to get accepted into the educational institution. If you fail the PhD application process, you may ask the board to consider your candidacy for the Master’s educational program. However, you may be denied.