Can a student enter the Ph.D. degree program directly with just an undergraduate degree?
Yes! In all of the divisions having Ph.D. programs, direct entry for study leading to the Ph.D. is both possible and encouraged. In fact, because the number of students we can admit is limited, the chances of acceptance and funding are often better if the applicant indicates that they wish to be considered for the Ph.D. track. However, the rules and requirements for entry as a MS versus a Ph.D. student can differ depending on the program, and applicants should consult the guidelines of the academic division they are applying to. In some disciplines, the MS by itself is highly marketable and some students enter choosing to seek that degree alone. Other students may have interests that are less well defined from the start, and so for them earning the MS is a useful step on the path to the Ph.D.
Related Questions
- Integrated Program FAQ (A) Can courses that a student took at NAU for their undergraduate degree be applied toward a graduate M.S. or Graduate Certificate?
- Does the student need to have a Bachelors degree in order to enter into the MA program here?
- Is it possible to enter the PhD program directly after completing an undergraduate degree?
