What is the difference between a Masters degree and a Ph.D.?
At most universities, completion of a master’s degree requires two to three years of coursework and exams. Some programs (particularly in the science fields) require that the master’s candidate complete a thesis, reporting a research project that the student has conceptualized and investigated. The thesis project is conducted under the supervision of a major professor, and must be presented to a thesis committee, consisting of several faculty members from the student’s academic department (and occasionally, outside members, if the research topic engages multiple disciplines). The doctorate requires 4-7 years of study, incorporating 2-3 years of coursework and a least a year to complete the dissertation. Dissertation research is usually far more independent than thesis research, but again, the work is completed under the supervision of a major professor, and must be proposed, and later defended in front of a dissertation committee.
At most universities, completion of a master’s degree requires two to three years of coursework and exams. Some programs (particularly in the science fields) require that the master’s candidate complete a thesis, reporting a research project that the student has conceptualized and investigated. The thesis project is conducted under the supervision of a major professor, and must be presented to a thesis committee, consisting of several faculty members from the student’s academic department (and occasionally, outside members, if the research topic engages multiple disciplines). The doctorate requires 4-7 years of study, incorporating 2-3 years of coursework and a least a year to complete the dissertation. Dissertation research is usually far more independent than thesis research, but again, the work is completed under the supervision of a major professor, and must be proposed, and later defended in front of a dissertation committee. Many doctoral programs require the PhD candidate to spe
