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• Applying to graduate school
• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

• A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
• A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

• Computer Science
• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

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Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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• Degree Guide
• Masters Vs PhD: What is the Difference Between Masters & PhD/Doctorates

Masters vs PhD Degree – Which Is Right for You?

Thinking about continuing your education after earning an undergraduate degree? Then you might wonder what the differences are between a  Masters vs PhD . As many reasons as people have to pursue a graduate degree, there are just as many degrees available to you.

As a result, there are many things to consider when choosing between a Master’s degree programs and PhD programs . Including which degree is higher, which one costs more, and the types of degrees available.

Which One Is Higher: A Masters or a PhD?

For most students, a Bachelor’s degree is the ‘first’ degree. Second is a Master’s degree. Third is Doctorate degree, such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), is a ‘terminal degree’. But that doesn’t mean it’s the same path for everyone or for all subjects.

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For instance, some nursing schools offer nursing bridge programs . Nursing bridge programs allow students to go straight from an ADN to MSN, or an entry-level Master’s in Nursing, which is designed for students with a non-nursing degree.

Do You Have To Get A Master’s Before A PHD?

Some graduate programs provide a formal plan of study for completing a Masters and PhD at the same time. These programs are referred to as dual degrees, joint degrees, or master’s and PhD combined degrees. Grad schools with these practical programs are a great way to earn both degrees at the same time. Find 11 Grad Schools that Offer Dual Masters and Phd Degrees here !

How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree?

Usually a full-time graduate student might acquire a Master’s degree in about two years . Master’s degrees typically require less time than doctoral degrees. Either way, earning a graduate degree is a significant investment of time.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) usually requires at least five to six years in an accredited graduate school. Many students might take seven to nine years to complete depending on exams, coursework and dissertations required.

Which One Costs More?

Because a PhD takes longer to complete, it usually costs more money. The flip side to this is that a PhD may yield a higher salary upon completion. Therefore it may be worth the increased cost long-term.

Whichever graduate degree you decide to pursue, you’ll have expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and others. In addition, there is also a significant loss of money if you’re unable to work or only earn low wages through assistantships or part-time employment. Student loans are always an option to pursue. Although they may have high interest rates that may take years to pay back.

Another thing to consider is that each school charges a different amount for graduate degrees. Therefore, be sure to consider the cost of each school before making a final decision.

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Masters vs PhD: Weighing your Options

We know that graduate school requires time, money and commitment for both Masters and a PhD. So, which should you choose?

Masters degrees tend to be more career-oriented. While PhD’s tend to be more focused on research since they are preparing people for research-oriented careers or in academia. If all you want is a raise, a PhD is probably not the road to choose.

On the other hand, if you love learning in and of itself, research, and if you want to pursue a career as a professor, then the work required for PhD may be just for you. Also, many PhD programs require that you have earned a Masters, though there are exceptions. Therefore, check with the admissions requirements of all schools and programs before applying.

What Is a Master’s Degree?

A Master’s degree is a second-cycle academic degree and the first level of graduate study, which means it is after a Bachelor’s degree and before a PhD.

The Master’s degree may allow a concentration within a field so that you may focus your studies in-depth on a particular aspect of a subject. Pursuing a Master’s works especially well if you’ve been working in a particular career for some time and hope to qualify for a leadership position within your field.

A Master’s degree may also be an excellent method of changing careers. If you’ve been in the workforce and found that your career or undergraduate education are not leading you in the direction you’d like, a Master’s degree may allow you to start in a different direction by gaining new knowledge and skills.

Benefits of Earning a Master’s Degree

Some of the benefits of earning a master’s degree are:

• Less time and money than a PhD
• More career-oriented than a PhD
• Sets you apart from those with only a Bachelor’s degree
• May have greater employment opportunities
• May lead to greater career advancement

What Is a PhD?

Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, are considered terminal degrees, or the highest degree you may earn. PhDs are research-based academic degrees which are awarded in many fields. One of the many reasons to get a PhD is if you’d like to become a professor. Because a PhD is practically mandatory to become a postsecondary teacher. Even for those few who may find teaching positions with only a Masters, most schools want to see progress toward a PhD.

A PhD may also be helpful outside the world of academia in today’s increasingly competitive  job market . Businesses are searching for extremely qualified people who have demonstrated intelligence, perseverance and the ability to learn in a variety of fields, including  engineering ,  information technology , or many others.

Benefits of Earning a PhD

PhD work requires original research that contributes new information to the field of study. One of the less tangible, though very important, reasons to get a PhD consists in the idea of creating knowledge.

Some of the benefits of earning a PhD include:

• You may be regarded as an expert in your field
• Enhance your transferable skills, such as critical reasoning, problem-solving, and in-depth analysis
• Add to the research and knowledge in your field
• Improve your analytical skills
• You may be able to include Dr. in your title

Don’t forget, if you don’t want to relocate to earn your graduate degree, there is always the option of earning your degree through distance learning. Search for accredited  online graduate programs  for additional online masters and doctorate programs.

Key Differences in a Masters Versus PhD

Take another look at the differences. Like all forms of higher education, it is up to you to know what is best for your future. Here is a bit more of a comparison between these postgraduate degree options.

A master’s program typically is one of several forms. It could be a Master of Arts (MA), a Master of Science (MSc), or a Master of Research, (MRe). This type of degree program is much like an undergrad program. Classes are taught. Some may involve lectures. Seminars are common. You may complete lab sessions. To conclude them, students may need to complete smaller pieces of work. That may include a paper. This leads up to a final thesis.

A PhD is a bit different. It is like completing one long dissertation program. Much of the work in a PhD is completed independently. That means you work alone or in small groups to complete the study. There is expert supervision provided in most cases. The focus is your own research, though.

Commitment to Earning a Masters vs Doctorate

There’s no way around it, graduate school takes work. However, many students who drifted through college are surprised to find that graduate school requires a much larger commitment in terms of work and intellectual energy.

For instance, graduate schools may be very competitive. On top of a full course load, many students are working or teaching. Plus trying to balance their personal and family responsibilities. This competitiveness between students, added responsibility, and number of courses that require in-depth analysis and reading, leads many students to find themselves overwhelmed.

This is true for both masters and PhDs. However, the number of years required to earn a PhD requires perseverance on a scale above and beyond what both undergraduates and those pursuing a masters degree experience.

One of the key differences between undergraduate and graduate degrees, whether you pursue a masters or PhD, is the ability of graduate student to focus on a field and subject in which they are very interested. Plus, while a graduate degree may jumpstart your career, it is not perceived as mandatory as an undergraduate degree may be. Therefore, pursuing a masters degree or a PhD may seem like your choice, which motivates some students to perform better.

It is not always necessary to complete a master’s degree before going on to complete a PhD. Some students do this.

Still Deciding Between a Masters or PhD?

To summarize, a PhD may be worth it if:

• You truly love your field
• Likewise, you enjoy your studies
• Lastly, you want the benefits and prestige associated with the doctoral degree

On the other hand, if you are simply looking to change fields, gain a promotion, or are nervous about five to six more years of school, then a Masters is probably a better choice. Some students do not do well or like a totally independent course of study. Others may want more pre-structured education.

However, it is worth noting that you may be able to get more financial aid for a PhD. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Since it takes longer, schools recognize that those trying to acquire their PhD’s need more assistance than those who only want a Masters degree.

This adds an interesting dimension to the application process for two reasons:

• It is probably better to apply to the doctoral program because there is no penalty for changing your mind and deciding to leave with only a Masters degree, and it increases your chances of getting  financial aid .
• PhD programs may be more competitive, and applying to it, rather than the Masters degree program, might decrease your chances of admission. If you are denied entrance to the PhD program, you could ask the school to consider you for the Masters program, if that’s allowed at that particular school.

Keep in mind that your final career goals matter. Does your desired career goal require a PhD? If so, that may be the goal to work towards during your education. Your career path may determine your degree level needs. Doctoral students may also have to figure in just how long it takes to reach this goal. A PhD candidate may spend a significant amount of time studying to meet these professional goals.

Finding the Perfect Masters or PhD Degree for You

Depending on your previous education, professional experience, and your future career goals, there are a wide variety of  graduate degree programs  for you to choose from.

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School of Education

How to become a professor, drexel university school of education.

Developing a career at the highest levels of academia doesn't happen overnight. But how long does it take to become a professor? What steps are involved? What is your career outlook? In this article, you can learn more about the steps involved in how to become a college professor, as well as some of the various incentives and rewards involved in pursuing a career in higher education.

What Do Professors Do?

First, the term professor refers to a rank in an academic setting for those who teach in higher education, it does not indicate the type of degree one has. Usually, the rank goes from the instructor level to assistant professor to associate professor to full professor, earned over multiple years through tenure and/or promotional review processes. Professors usually work in a college or university, public or private, performing a variety of academically related tasks. Specific responsibilities vary widely and are generally dependent on a person's particular academic field, career track, and institution of employment. However, broadly speaking, a college professor is responsible for work in three areas – research, teaching, and service. There may be some nuances based on someone’s contract; but the three are fairly typical in the U.S.

Teaching may involve designing curriculum, creating lesson plans and syllabi, mentoring students, and teaching students at an advanced level within their chosen field. Teaching may be in or outside of classroom settings. Teaching may occur not only in a typical brick and mortar classroom, but in other spaces including online or in virtual realities.

In addition to teaching, there may be service requirements at your university, college/school, professional, or community levels. These roles typically support civic engagement efforts. Other service roles may be on committees tied to your profession such as being on an editorial review board, or reviewing grants for an organization, or a volunteered leadership role in an organization.

Many professors undertake research responsibilities, especially those who are on track for tenure. For instance, a Learning Scientist who specializes in the design of technology for learning may also maintain a lab and investigate how people learn and how to best design technologies for people to engage in transformative learning. This would involve interacting with teachers, students, and others as they engage with technologies for learning in a process that includes collecting, analyzing, designing, and presenting data from these interactions and design-based research process for peer review and eventual publication. The research may be sponsored or non-sponsored. Research plays a central role in the lives of professors to investigate ideas related to their professional interests or their teaching or their service commitments.

Since there are different ways of entering into academic and non-academic careers, and different career tracks within academia to consider, not every professor will have the same credentials or responsibilities. Responsibilities range from whether someone has a doctorate degree or not, their contract, and the type of doctorate degree. For instance, there are professional doctorate degrees such as an EdD and research-oriented doctorates such as a PhD and there is tenure-track or non-tenure track roles.

What Degree Do You Need to Become a College Professor?

There are several types of teaching positions within the realm of higher education; but those roles are primarily distinguished by part-time vs full-time responsibilities, financial compensation, and which courses you're allowed to teach. For example, becoming a professor with a master’s degree is possible within a few constraints.

Many two-year schools only require instructors to have their master's degree  for teaching introductory courses, while some four-year institutions accept these types of instructors on a part-time basis. However, most four-year institutions require a research or professional doctorate in the field you intend to teach. The doctorate also allows you to engage in different levels of work and to standout compared to job candidates with only their master's degree.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Professor?

In addition to requiring a bachelor's degree and occasionally requiring a master's, the overall average time to complete a doctoral program is around five to seven years nationally, about 5 years on average for U.S. nationals and 6 years for international students. However, an enormous range of factors can influence the time required, ranging from your decision to attend a full-time or part-time program, where you choose to study, and whether additional certifications will be necessary, and so on.

6 Steps to Becoming a Professor: Qualifications and Requirements

Like any occupation, becoming a professor has a progression to be followed if this is your desired career path. Mapped out for you here are the qualifications and requirements to become a professor with a doctorate degree.

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

Learning the fundamentals of your field is essential before moving onto the kind of advanced analysis and application of theory that you'll find in graduate programs. There are rare cases where extensive career experience may serve as an adequate substitute; but for nearly everyone, a bachelor's degree  is the most basic prerequisite for entering a graduate program.

Decide What Field You Want to Specialize In

Someone who wants to become a professor will want to be deeply involved in their field; that might mean studying the subject independently of your career and education. It might also mean looking for internship programs that allow you to both gain applied career experience and confidence in your decision to specialize in one field over another.

Attend Graduate School

If you want to teach at a community college or a vocational school, you may only need to earn a master's degree; especially if you don't aspire to train the next generation of PhD students. If you're aiming for a tenure track position with a large four-year institution, your best chances will be earning your PhD. This is especially true when job positions are more competitive, since institutions often favor those with higher credentials.

Become a Teaching Assistant

If you're accepted into a graduate program, you may be offered an assistantship program. Assistants are usually involved in research, administrative work, or teaching. Apart from the critical experience obtained in these programs, you may also be able to reduce or eliminate the cost of tuition, obtain a stipend, and get credits towards your degree. Becoming a teaching assistant isn't the only way of earning this type of experience, but it's the most common.

Earn a Doctorate Degree

The most critical step in how to become a professor – earning your doctorate . In addition to required coursework, most programs require a dissertation, which is your own work of original research. It serves as a demonstration of your abilities to add new knowledge to your field, and your abilities to train future scholars. While many programs allow you to earn your doctoral degree without a master's, others require you take that intermediate step.

Gain Teaching and Research Experience

Assistant teaching positions and research assistantships are some of the best sources of career experience in teaching and research. But outside of graduate programs, you can find numerous opportunities for professional development, which can be important as many doctoral candidates enter the job market during the final year of their program.

Get Certified

Depending on what you intend on teaching, the qualifications for being a professor may also include additional certification requirements. These requirements are usually for vocational fields rather than purely academic programs. For example, someone who teaches medicine may need to earn an RN (registered nurse) certification, while someone teaching accounting may need their CPA.

How Much Do College Professors Make?

According to the American Association of University Professors , the average salary for a full time professor was $101,810 for the 2020-21 academic year. Yet, earnings depend on many factors, including things like the subject you teach, the institution where you work, whether you have a full-time or part-time position, and how much experience you have. Figures also depend on your job title and career track: lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.

College Professor Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , employment opportunities for professors are expected to grow at a rate that's higher than average. With the number of students attending institutions of higher education only projected to continue rising over the next decade, there's a consistent and rising demand for these types of professionals. Owing to new workplace technologies requiring workers to have more training, these rates of employment are assumed to remain high.

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Becoming a professor can be equal parts challenging and rewarding. In addition to helping instruct the next generation and add to the body of human knowledge, college professors can develop a personally rewarding and lucrative career. But starting a career in academia starts with finding the right program for your current stage of progress.

Drexel has programs for every stage of the process, from starting your undergraduate degree to finishing your PhD. Get your journey started by requesting information  from Drexel University's School of Education today.

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Deciphering Degrees: An Introduction to Academic Titles

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At any institution of higher learning, there will be individuals with various types of degrees attached to their names. Professors and students alike all have different educational backgrounds, sometimes to the point where juggling all the different acronyms and titles can become confusing.

In this blog post, we’ll go over not only what goes into the various degrees you’ll encounter in higher education, but also provide advice on how to address people of various degrees, a skill you’ll need to have as you interact with individuals of all different education levels in high school, college, and beyond.

Why is it important to know about various degrees?

Degrees and titles are part of the language of higher education. Whether you are at a small liberal arts college or on campus at a larger university, you will hear them tossed around often. Understanding what exactly these degrees mean will not only help you feel more at home, but will also help you understand both your position as a student and others’.

What can degrees tell you?

The degree or title a person has, especially someone who is considered a professional or even an expert, can tell you a lot about their background and expertise. It says what kind of schooling and training they have had.

Furthermore, if the person is one of your professors, or someone teaching your class, it allows you to evaluate their background more carefully — you may be looking for a teacher who can speak to processes of going through higher education in their field. If you intend to get one or all of the degrees in that subject area eventually, it can help to know someone who can explain the process, as it may vary slightly in different fields (for example, some areas of study require extensive time in the lab, while others call for research abroad).

When Evaluating Professors: Terminal Degrees

When you are evaluating a professor on their degrees and titles, it is important to understand the concept of terminal degrees. In some fields, the highest university-given degree or professional degree available is not a doctoral degree. In other words, the “terminal” or end of the education track in that field may be a master’s degree. This phenomenon is emphasized more in the United States, however, and is not discussed as much overseas.

United States Degrees (Not Necessarily the Same in the Rest of the World)

Here, it should be noted that all of the degrees in this article refer to the standards in the United States only. Other countries may have different academic systems, degrees, and titles, that may or may not transfer to the United States’ system. If you plan on attending school abroad, you should look into the degrees of that country specifically, along with whether or not they are broadly recognized if you decide to pursue further studies in the United States.

What are the kinds of degrees one can have?

There are two broad categories that degrees can be broken into: graduate and undergraduate. Undergraduate degrees (associate and bachelor’s degrees) must be awarded before graduate study (master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees) begins, kind of like a prerequisite. Below, the specifics of each degree type are explained.

Associate Degree

An associate degree is awarded for about two years of academic study. These degrees are typically found in programs at community colleges. The abbreviations for this kind of degree depends greatly on the field of study. For example, AA stands for an Associate of Arts, AS stands for Associate of Science, and ABS stands for Associate of Business Science. You can usually identify an associate degree by the “A” at the beginning of the abbreviation.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is awarded for roughly four years of academic study, though it can range from three to seven years depending on the program and institution where it is completed. The bachelor’s degree is the standard degree level awarded by undergraduate colleges — it is not considered a graduate degree.

As with the associate degree, the full title of a bachelor’s degree and its abbreviation depend on the subject area in which the studies were conducted. Most common are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). Some schools with engineering programs also award the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE). The BS can also be denoted another way: Sc.B. Additionally, at some schools you can get a BA in a science field — different schools have different options and requirements, so a BA does not rule out science as that person’s undergraduate field of study.

There are some other types of bachelor’s degrees as well, but they are rare in the United States and you will likely only encounter BA, BS, and occasionally BSE.

Master’s Degree

The master’s degree is a graduate degree for advanced, specialized study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees are usually awarded for one to three years of graduate study.

The two most common types of master’s degrees are the MA (Master of Arts) and the MS (Master of Science), but there are a wide range of specialized degrees in specific academic and profession fields. These include, but are not limited to MTS (Master of Theological Studies), MSW (Master of Social Work), MFA (Master of Fine Arts), MBA (Master of Business Administration), MPH (Master of Public Health), MPP (Master of Public Policy), and MDiv (Master of Divinity).

Like the bachelor’s degree, some master’s degrees are denoted in various ways. For example, the MS can also be written as Sc.M. Also, some professors may have a master’s degree as their highest degree. Regardless of their degrees and titles, you should always formally address them as “professor” if they have a post-secondary teaching role.

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Doctoral Degree (Academic)

The academic doctoral degree is a graduate degree awarded for extensive, highly specialized study and research. It usually takes five to ten years to complete, and often culminates in the completion of a major piece of research. This is called the doctoral dissertation, and is sometimes published as a book following graduation. The most common kind of doctoral degree is a PhD, but others exist, such as the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration).

Those who have received a doctoral degree are formally addressed as “doctor” or “professor.” The title used depends on their personal preference, but, in general, people with PhDs and similar doctoral degrees are less frequently referred to a “doctor” publicly. The title of doctor is more common for people with medical degrees (explained below). Your college-level classes may be taught by doctoral-degree candidates (another way to describe students in the doctoral program), and TAs are almost always graduate students as well.

Medical Degrees

Medical degrees are graduate-level degrees awarded for extensive, specific training in the medical profession. Doctors receive MDs (Doctor of Medicine), nurses receive MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) and other degrees (like the BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing), dentists receive DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), and veterinarians receives DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). Furthermore, there are other degrees within more specialized fields.

You may also see these degrees among professors in science and health fields. There are practicing doctors (those who see patients), teaching doctors (those who teach students the art of medicine and how to see patients), and researching doctors (those who conduct research) — and some who are two or all three! When speaking to and about people with medical degrees, you should formally address doctors, dentists, and veterinarians as “doctor.”

Law Degrees

Most law students in the United States receive a JD (Juris Doctorate) for three years of legal study. Though this is technically a doctorate degree, it is more often regarded as a professional degree. Also, there is a higher research doctorate in law called the SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science).

People with a JD may write “JD” after their names. Those who actively work as attorneys may add “Esquire” or “Esq.” to their signatures, whether or not they have a JD. When talking to someone who teaches and has a law degree, you should always default to calling them “professor.”

Honorary Degrees

Honorary degrees, known as “Degree Honoris Causa,” are awarded by a college or university to a person that the college would like to specially honor. They are usually named as a doctoral degree, but are sometimes labeled a master’s degree — the exact titles vary because they do not reflect any actual level of study at that school.

Note that honorary degrees do not designate academic or professional study or qualification: You should not assume that a person with an honorary degree has studied what would actually be required to complete the degree. That said, the honorary degree is a sign of great respect and indicates that the person is highly respected by the college. In general, the recipient will not be referred to by the degree title by others — think of it more like an award that will connect them to that school but not change their status or actual qualifications.

There are many degrees, but if you understand them broadly — undergraduate and graduate, and the general types within each category (such as bachelor’s vs. associate’s, and academic doctoral versus medical) — you can get a general understanding of what kind of academic training a person has had.

When in doubt about how to address someone who teaches at your college or university, it is always best to default to “professor.” Those with medical degrees (often people found in the medical professions, like doctors, dentists, and vets) should usually be called “doctor.”

Don’t worry if it is confusing at first — this is all you need to know to start off, and as you make your way through college and academia, the divisions of degrees will become more clear. For now, read our CollegeVine guide Majors, Minors, and More: Which Degree Should You Pursue? to help you tackle your own college degree.

If you are looking to apply for your bachelor’s degree in science or a medical degree, check out our CollegeVine guides A Beginner’s Guide to 7-Year Med Programs and BS/MD Programs vs. Premed: Which One is Right for You?

Alternatively, if your interests are more in the arts, or you want a better understanding of dual-degree programs, read Dual Degree Music Programs: The Best of Both Worlds? , Liberal Arts vs. Professional Education: Which is Better? , and Are Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Programs Right for You?

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Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• Masters vs PhD – Differences Explained
• Types of Doctorates

The decision of whether or not to pursue a Masters or PhD (or both) after you complete your undergraduate studies is not necessarily a straightforward one. Both are postgraduate degrees but are different in terms of the academic experience and the career paths taken afterwards.

In short, a Masters degree involves a year of study, primarily through taught lectures and a final dissertation research project, whilst a PhD (also referred to as a doctorate degree) is a three-year commitment of independent research on a specific subject.

There’s more to it than that, however – read on for more information.

What Is a Masters Degree?

A Masters degree is the next level of education after the completion of an undergraduate degree, commonly known as a Bachelors.

These degree levels are often referred to in terms of cycles so that a Bachelor’s is a first-cycle degree, a Masters is a second-cycle and finally, a PhD is the third-cycle of higher education (and the highest).

Masters degrees demand an intense period of study, usually centred around a core series of lectures and taught modules, coupled with coursework assignments and exams, followed by the completion of a contained research project usually taking students 3-4 months to complete.

These types of degrees are attractive to recent graduates who want to delve deeper into their specific field of study, gaining some research experience and more specialised knowledge beyond what an undergraduate degree can offer.

Equally, some pursue a Masters degree program in a subject that is only tangentially related to their Bachelors degree, helping them gain a broader depth of knowledge.

These degrees also serve as a significant stepping stone for those already in employment who want to progress their current career development and earn a higher salary. They can also be an excellent method for helping in changing careers completely by learning new skills and subject knowledge.

What Is a PhD Degree?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic degree that can be awarded and is the third and final cycle in the progression of higher education.

A doctoral degree is earned on the basis of producing a significant, independent and novel body of work (a Thesis) that contributes new knowledge to a particular research topic.

These are research degrees that are a significant investment of a candidate’s time, resources and energy and are all but a pre-requisite for anyone considering a career in academia, such as eventually becoming a professor.

There are some exceptions to this, such as those with a medical background who may earn an MD (Doctor of Medicine), which is the equivalent of a PhD.

Doctoral degrees can also have a significant positive impact on career development outside of academia, especially in fields such as engineering, business and finance that have a high demand for highly qualified and capable people.

A graduate student engaged in PhD study is commonly known as a PhD student, PhD candidate or doctoral student.

What are the Benefits of a Masters Degree?

There are several reasons one might consider doing a Masters degree rather than a PhD in their graduate education. These include:

• It takes approximately a third of the time to do compared to a doctorate degree and costs less too.
• It’s a good way to differentiate yourself from those that hold only an undergraduate degree without having to commit to a substantial research degree.
• The end goal is more career-focused as opposed to research-focused. For example, it is practically an ‘easier’ route to changing or progressing your career if that aligns with your professional goals.

What are the Benefits of Doing a PhD?

You may continue on into a doctoral program after a Masters or you may even dive straight in after completing your undergraduate studies. So, what are the advantages of completing this third-cycle?

• You’ll have developed a wealth of transferable skills at graduate school, such as effective communication of complex concepts, multi-tasking time-management and the ability to adapt to and solve unexpected problems.
• A doctorate helps to establish you as an expert within your chosen subject area; your work will hopefully have furthered the knowledge in this.
• It will open up career paths and teaching positions within academia that may otherwise be very difficult to get a hold in (although these career paths will still be very competitive).
• You can add the title ‘Dr’ in front of your name!

Which Degree Is More Impactful: A Masters or a PhD?

On paper, the answer should be clear: A doctorate degree is the highest degree you can earn, so has more impact than a Masters, which in turn has more impact than a Bachelors.

The reality is that the size of the impact (if any) really depends on the subject area and the career path you choose (if the measure of impact is how it positively improves your career prospects, that is).

For someone with aspirations of becoming a professor, a PhD will be of greater value than a Masters alone.

Equally, it’s also possible that someone with a PhD entering a different field or one that doesn’t require a PhD may find that their degree has no bearing on their career or in some cases may even be seen as a ‘negative’ with a concern of the person being ‘over-qualified’ for a position. There are many scenarios in which professional experience would be more valuable to an employer than a doctorate degree.

Check out the links below to our interviews with Prof. Debby Cotton and Dr Nikolay Nikolov to read their experiences of when a going through a PhD program has had a clear benefit (Prof. Cotton) and when it hasn’t been helpful (Dr Nikolov).

Do You Need to Have a Masters to do a PhD?

This really depends on the university, department and sometimes even the project and supervisor.

From a purely application process perspective, some institutions may formally require you to hold a Masters degree relevant to the subject of the PhD project before you can enter their doctoral program.

In another scenario, most universities are unlikely to accept candidates that were awarded below a 2:1 (in the UK) in their undergraduate degree but may consider someone who has ‘made up’ for this with a high-grade Masters.

Lastly, some universities now offer PhD programmes that incorporate an additional year of study in which you would complete a Masters degree before carrying directly on into a PhD project. As you’d expect, even if a university doesn’t formally require you to hold one, a Masters degree can help separate you from other applicants in being accepted on the project.

Check out our detailed guide to doing a PhD without a Master’s .

Why Do a Masters before Your PhD?

Even if you don’t need to have one, it could still be beneficial to begin your postgraduate study by doing a Masters first before you embark on your doctorate journey.

As mentioned previously it’ll help you stand out from applicants that don’t have one, but beyond that, it’ll give you a taster of what research life could be like, especially if you stay at the same university and department for your PhD.

The one-year commitment (in the UK at least) of carrying out a Masters first, and in particular your research project, will help you better understand if this is truly something you want to commit the next three or more years to.

You’ll learn some of the skills of independent research, from performing detailed literature searches to more complex, analytical writing.

At the end of it, you should be in a stronger position to consider your options and decide about whether to continue into a PhD at graduate school.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Masters Degree?

In the UK, a full-time Masters degrees take students one calendar year to complete: The programme of study usually starts in September, the final research project the following April and final project viva around August. Part-time degrees are usually double the time.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

In the UK, most PhD projects take 3-4 years to complete , as reflected by the majority of funded projects offering stipends to cover living expenses of about 3.5 years.

For many reasons, projects may end up taking longer to complete, however. This might be because of difficulties in collecting enough data, or if the project is being done part-time.

Which One is More Expensive to Do?

As you’d expect, as a PhD takes three times as long to complete as a Masters degree, it will cost you more to do as far as university fees are concerned.

Another thing to consider is that many PhD projects come with some level of funding equivalent to a low salary, which may cover the cost of tuition fees and living expenses, whilst it is usually more difficult to obtain funding for Masters study.

Conversely, a Masters graduate may progress into a higher (versus PhD funding) salary sooner whilst a PhD student will endure three years of a comparatively low income.

A Masters vs a PhD: Conclusion

If you’re considering continue further graduate study after your undergraduate degree, the question of doing a Masters vs a PhD is likely to come up. They are both considered an advanced degree, each with their own advantages.

There are benefits to doing either of these graduate programs or even both of them; your decision here can be easier if you have an idea of the career you want to follow or if you know you have a love for research!

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Demystifying Graduate Degrees: Comparing Master’s vs. Doctorate

You want a graduate degree — to continue exploring your passions, make discoveries or advance your career — but how do you turn that decision into a plan?

It starts with understanding the difference between a master’s and a PhD in your field. They differ in length, intensity, curriculum and career paths, so you’ll also need a clear idea of why you want to pursue a graduate degree to determine which one you should get.

What Is a Master’s Degree?

If you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, it might be time to ask, “What’s next?”

That’s where Master’s degrees can come in.

Whether you want to specialize in a particular area or get advanced skills in your profession, a master’s degree can help you get there in 1-2 years.

The most common types of master's degrees include:

• Master of Arts (MA),
• Master of Science (MS),
• Master of Business Administration (MBA),
• Master of Education (MEd),
• and Master of Fine Arts (MFA). 

What do you learn in a master’s program?

The short answer? A lot.

Master’s degree programs are designed to build on the foundational knowledge gained during your undergraduate studies, and the curriculum focuses on advanced knowledge and skills in a particular field.

Here’s what you can expect to encounter in a master’s program:

Advanced coursework:  Master's programs provide advanced courses that build upon the foundational knowledge gained during your undergraduate studies. These courses delve deeper into specific topics within your field and often explore the latest research and developments. 

Specialization:  One of the primary goals of a master's program is to allow you to specialize in a particular area. Whether pursuing a Master of Arts, Master of Science, or a professional degree like an MBA, you can focus your studies on a specific subfield or concentration within your discipline. 

Research and analysis:   Many master's programs require you to engage in research projects and analytical work. This could involve conducting independent research under the guidance of a faculty advisor or participating in group research projects with fellow students. Through these research experiences, you’ll develop critical thinking and analytical skills, learn how to gather and evaluate relevant data and draw meaningful conclusions.

Practical applications and internships:  Some master's programs incorporate practical training opportunities like internships, practicums, or field experiences; hands-on experiences allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real-world settings.

Collaboration and networking:  A Master's program is a rich collaboration and networking environment. Collaborative projects, group discussions, and professional events allow you to exchange ideas and build connections within your field, often leading to long-lasting professional relationships and potential career opportunities.

Thesis project:   Outside of building skills like project management, problem-solving, project management, and effective communication, thesis projects in master's degree programs serve as a cornerstone for building advanced skills, expanding professional networks, and contributing to the body of knowledge in your respective field. 

Why get a master’s degree?

Career advancement: One primary advantage of getting a master’s degree is an edge in the job market. Employers value the specialized knowledge and advanced skills that come with a master’s degree, opening up new and exciting career opportunities.  The cherry on top? Individuals with a master’s degree often earn more than those without an advanced degree — you can take that to the bank, especially if you set yourself up for financial success during your studies. Flexibility: Another aspect to consider is the flexibility that a master’s degree offers. Many programs offer part-time or online options, allowing you to balance your studies with work or other commitments.  This flexibility can be particularly helpful if you’re already established in your career but want to gain additional qualifications.  Growth opportunities: Depending on your field, a master’s degree can be a stepping stone toward a PhD or other doctoral programs. It gives you a solid foundation in research methods and academic rigor — a boon if you want to pursue a career in academia or conduct advanced research.

What is a Doctoral Degree or PhD?

A doctoral degree is a terminal degree — it represents the pinnacle of academic achievement and is the most advanced degree you can attain. Doctoral students want to become authorities in their chosen fields and develop the skills to conduct independent and original research. 

Doctoral programs usually span 3-6 years of full-time study, during which students complete advanced coursework, pass comprehensive examinations, engage in extensive research and ultimately produce a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. 

There are several types of doctoral degrees based on different academic and professional aspirations, including:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD),
• Doctor of Education (EdD),
• And Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), among others. 

What do you learn in a doctoral program?

When you successfully defend your dissertation and complete your degree, you also become an expert in your field — but it doesn’t happen overnight. Here's what you can expect to encounter in a doctoral program:

Advanced research: If you’re looking for a hard emphasis on research, a doctoral program is the place to be. Over several years, PhD students engage in extensive research activities — including conducting independent research, producing scholarly publications, and contributing to the knowledge base of their field through original research contributions.

Theoretical and conceptual frameworks:  PhDs are an incredible opportunity to deepen your understanding of theoretical and conceptual frameworks in your field of study. You'll critically analyze existing theories, evaluate their applicability, and develop your theoretical frameworks to advance knowledge and understanding in your chosen area of research.

Advanced methodological training:  Because a dissertation is an original research project, you’ll gain advanced training in research methodologies and data analysis techniques, like designing robust research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing valid and reliable conclusions from your research findings.

Critical thinking and intellectual independence: Both academia and industry employers highly value independent thinkers and workers. Doctoral programs foster critical thinking and intellectual independence by challenging you to evaluate existing research, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose innovative research ideas. Teaching and Mentoring Experience: Being a teacher or mentor is a great opportunity to share your hard-earned knowledge, and universities agree. Doctoral programs often provide opportunities to teach and mentor undergraduate students, develop effective pedagogical skills, and contribute to the academic community.

Dissertation project:  Your dissertation is the culmination of years of hard work within your field. By enrolling in a doctoral program, you’re also given the chance to participate in a significant and original research endeavor that demonstrates the expertise you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.

Why Get a Doctorate?

Having a doctorate doesn’t just open doors; it can kick them down. A doctorate might be right for you if you’re looking for a door to these things:

Expertise and specialization:  Doctoral degrees can be a labor of love. They help you delve deeper into a specific subject area, gaining expertise and specialization.

Research opportunities:  Extensive research training, opportunities for conducting original research, and contributing new knowledge to the academic community — these three things make a doctorate coveted by students, universities, and employers.

Salary potential and career advancement: In some fields, having a doctorate can lead to higher earning potential and increased salary opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , doctoral degree holders made an average of $1,885 per week in 2020, while master’s degree holders made an average of $1,545 per week.

Contribution to society:  Doctoral research often addresses pressing societal issues, contributing to advancements in technology, healthcare, education, and other areas for the benefit of society — for many students, contributing to the greater good is just as rewarding as career advancement or personal development.

What’s the difference between a dissertation and a thesis?

You might have heard “thesis” and “dissertation” used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Here are the general distinctions to consider:

• A thesis is usually associated with a master's degree program. Students undertake a research project in the final stage of their degree.
• It typically involves conducting original research or analyzing existing research to answer a specific research question.
• The length of a thesis varies based on the field and program requirements, but it’s usually shorter than a dissertation.

Dissertation:

• A dissertation is typically associated with a doctoral degree program. It is an extensive, in-depth research project that marks the culmination of a doctoral program.
• in-depth exploration of a research topic
• comprehensive literature review
• methodology section
• data collection and analysis
• substantive discussion of findings and conclusions.
• Dissertations are usually longer than theses and may take several years to complete.
• Once you’ve completed your dissertation, you participate in a formal defense of the research, where you’ll present your findings to a committee of experts in the field.

Key Differences: Master's vs. PhD

Deciding Between Master's vs. PhD Programs

“Should I get a master’s degree or a PhD?”

Answering that question can be exciting — and a bit intimidating. You must consider long-term career objectives, personal interests, and the time you can commit. Plus, the level of specialization you wish to achieve based on your career path is also a factor. Typically, a PhD is a prerequisite for those aspiring to research careers in academia, while professional roles in various industries may require only a master's degree. 

It’s still worth noting that students have the option of completing a master's degree first and then, based on their experiences and career aspirations, deciding whether to pursue a PhD.

Find the right graduate degree at SMU 

A graduate degree is a big investment, so investing in the right program is important.

SMU offers a diverse array of master's and PhD programs tailored to align with your unique interests and career goals, and personalized support, from the applicant to the graduate, is always available. 

Whether you're interested in pursuing a PhD in Chemistry or are almost finished with your MBA, we can help you find the right advanced degree.

This could just be the beginning of your journey. Get a closer look at applying to graduate programs of your choice with our guide, How to Get a PhD: A Guide to Choosing and Applying to PhD Programs .

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Doctoral degrees at SMU, and how you can choose the right program and thrive in it, in our Guide to Getting a PhD.

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Master’s vs PhD/Doctorate Degrees – Key Differences

So, you are done with your bachelor’s degree but not with studying–according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , this seems like a good idea. In its projections for the years 2019–2029, it lists 36 occupations that typically require a master’s degree and 63 requiring a doctoral or professional degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data also shows that the wages for these occupations are higher than the median for all occupations. 

Now you might wonder: What is the difference between master’s and PhD degrees and which one should I get? Read on for all the information you need to make this important decision!

Difference Between Masters and PhD: An Overview

A master’s degree is designed to teach you the knowledge and skills that you will need in your future profession. A PhD or doctorate degree, on the other hand, is designed to develop your critical thinking as well as your analytical and writing skills and is usually a years-long commitment to independent research on a specific subject. The purpose of a PhD is to prepare you for a career in academic research—although it can also help you get into a variety of other professions, and at a higher entry/salary level. In the US, a master’s degree is integrated into a PhD program, as a necessary preparation period involving mostly coursework, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required to enter a PhD program.

If you want to stand out, you should definitely opt for a PhD degree: According to the United States Census Bureau , 24 million people in the US had master’s or professional degrees in 2019, whereas only 4.5 million had PhDs/doctorates. But is it worth the extra effort? And what exactly would the extra effort be? Have a look at the table below to get an idea about the key differences between master’s and PhDs.

Master’s vs PhD

Master’s or Doctorate: Which Should You Choose?

How Long Does a Master’s vs Doctorate Take to Complete?

While the length of time it will take you to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies significantly between institutions and countries, we will focus on the US system here. Obviously, PhDs take much longer, because they are in fact a combination of both degrees and involve a long period of independent research that can get even longer than expected, depending on your topic, the available equipment or support, and a lot of other factors.

How long to complete a master’s degree

In the US, a full-time master’s degree takes students generally 2 years to complete, while part-time degrees are usually double the time.

How long to complete a PhD/doctorate

Since US PhD programs only require a completed bachelor’s degree, they start with an integrated master’s of 2 years of coursework, followed by 3–4 years of independent research into a specific topic. That usually includes publishing results, presenting at conferences, and preparing the final dissertation. Note that stipends/funding do not always cover the entire time it can take you to complete your PhD project—make sure you are aware of alternative options and additional funding at your institution or have at least thought about a backup plan before you start.

Master’s Degree Cost vs. a PhD Cost

Most people assume that PhDs are more expensive because they take many more years to complete. However, since PhD students usually receive scholarships or stipends, sometimes just for their commitment to full-time research and sometimes in exchange for teaching, the direct costs for a dissertation can be lower than those for a master’s degree. 

Additionally, while you are very likely to earn more with both degrees, the additional years of studying for a PhD should be factored into any estimation of costs vs outcomes.

Cost of a master’s degree

Master’s degrees at US universities can cost anything from $30,000 to $120,000, with tuition depending on the type of institution (public, private nonprofit, or for-profit). University rankings and general reputation also affect tuition costs. 

Whether an expensive degree (e.g., MBAs are often notoriously expensive) is worth the money for you personally depends on what kind of salary you think you can expect after graduating from that specific school. The universities you consider applying to should be able to provide you with data on the career and salary outcomes of their students, either on their website or if you contact them and ask for these details.

You can of course try to get a stipend and/or apply for a teaching or research assistant position at your school, depending on your undergraduate degree and experience. Moreover, many institutions offer the possibility to complete a master’s degree part-time, while working, which allows students to fund themselves.

You might also be eligible to transfer credits toward your degree if you have a professional certification or have earned graduate-level course credit—which can significantly reduce your total cost for both degrees.

Cost of a PhD/dissertation

PhDs, unlike master’s degrees, are usually funded, which means that tuition fees are waived and stipends or scholarships take care of living costs. Phd students are, however, often expected to take on teaching or research responsibilities in exchange for their funding. 

There are a variety of scholarships you can apply for if you want to pursue a PhD in the US as an international student—US-based ones like the Fulbright Foreign Student Program or the HHMI International Student Research Scholarships , but there are probably also funding opportunities in your home country for students who want to embark on a PhD abroad.

Pursuing a PhD degree part-time might sometimes be possible, but since students are expected to invest a full workweek into their research and potential teaching responsibilities, this is usually not realistic.

To estimate the overall cost of a doctoral program, the extra years that you could be working a full-time job with a regular salary also need to be factored into the equation—and take into account that projects may end up taking longer than expected, due to difficulties in collecting data, supervisors dropping out or moving on, or unforeseeable crises such as the COVID-19 epidemic.

Career Prospects for a Master’s vs PhD

While both a master’s and a PhD degree will qualify you for a variety of occupations that require higher degrees, they can also get you a higher salary in a profession that is also open to employees with a lower education level. PhD holders can in theory expect the highest wages, but since the two degrees prepare you for very different careers, that alone shouldn’t be what you base your decision on.

Master’s degree jobs and positions

Master’s degrees are overall more versatile than PhDs when it comes to employment opportunities and cover a wide range of fields and professions. The most common master’s degrees are the Master’s of Arts (MA) and the Master’s of Science (MS). 

Master’s programs can generally be divided into three different types:

Research master’s degrees, such as an MA in Comparative Literature or an MS in Biology, prepare students for academic and non-academic research disciplines and usually end with a thesis based on an original piece of research. In some fields, however, you are expected to enter a Ph.D. program after completing your master’s to be competitive when it comes to finding a job later.

Professional master’s degrees teach you practical skills and in-demand competencies that qualify you for a specific field and enable you to understand issues that are relevant in a certain profession. Examples include the Master of Public Health (MPH), the  Master of Business Administration (MBA), or the MA in Teaching (MAT). 

Terminal master’s degrees are the highest academic degree in fields where doctorates are not offered, and prepare students for careers outside of academia. The Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, for example, or the MS in Library Science are as high as you can go in those fields.

To give you an idea, below, we listed the 10 occupations at the master’s level that are projected to have the most openings annually from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the highest-paying occupations for master’s degree holders without required work experience, based on projections from 2016 to 2026.

Master’s degrees, apart from helping you develop professional skills tailored to the requirements of the profession you intend to enter, can also serve as a stepping stone if you are already in employment and want to progress your career development, earn a higher salary, or change careers by learning new skills and subject knowledge.

PhD/doctorate jobs and positions

PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career, and many students aim to eventually become university professors. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and there are not nearly as many professor positions as there are PhD holders. The good news is that the skills you learn during your doctoral program are often “transferable” and can be applied to other types of careers. 

Some PhD graduates end up (and enjoy) being colleague teachers, while others embark on non-academic research careers, for example at pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, consulting and technology firms, or think tanks. Job prospects vary widely across fields, with some—computer science, engineering, or economics—having very low unemployment rates, and others, for example the humanities, offering fewer and less desirable employment opportunities. Keep in mind, however, that someone with a PhD entering a different field or one that does not necessarily require a PhD may find that their degree sometimes does not help them or that they are even considered to be “overqualified” or as lacking practical skills and relevant professional experience.

Since there is no clear career path for PhD graduates, you should really take your time figuring out what field you want to work in later, what the career prospects for that field are, and if they are worth the time and effort you will have to invest to complete a PhD program. Your university should have data on the careers and salaries of their students, and should either display these details on their website or send you the relevant information if you contact them directly.

Master’s vs PhD: Application Process

The application process for master’s and PhD programs is overall very similar. In general, you will need to provide the following:

Frequently Asked Questions about Master’s vs PhD Degrees

How long does a master’s degree take vs a phd.

Full-time master’s degrees usually take 2 years to complete. Many universities offer the option to do a master’s part-time, which takes double the time. PhD programs in the US  start with an integrated master’s of 2 years of coursework (since you enter the program directly after completing your bachelor’s degree), followed by 3–4 years of independent research. 

Is a PhD harder than a master’s degree?

A PhD takes substantially longer and requires more self-motivation, organizational skills, and the willingness to carry on even when things do not go according to plan. You might also have other responsibilities, on top of your research, such as teaching or assisting your supervisor. But whether that is “harder” for you than a master’s degree that consists of mostly coursework and does not take more than 2 years depends on your interests and general working style. 

Is a master’s or doctorate better?

Master’s and doctorate degrees prepare you for different occupations and work positions, and which one is the right for you depends on what kind of career you are planning to pursue. Generally, a master’s degree is right for you if you want to deepen your career-oriented knowledge and skills for a specific profession, while a doctorate degree prepares you for a career in research, whether that is inside or outside a university.

Preparing Your Graduate School Essays

Now that you have figured out whether a master’s or PhD degree is the right choice for you, all that is left to do is to put your application together! Make sure that you focus on your chosen degree and its aim (research or a professional career) in all required documents—for example, highlight your professional and personal development in your CV for an MBA program, but the publication you got out of your bachelor’s thesis and how passionate you are about doing more research on the same topic for your application to a PhD program. 

As always, Wordvice can help with our professional Personal Statement Editing Services or Admission Editing Services , which help ensure that your application is error-free and showcases your full potential so that you get admitted to the graduate or doctoral program of your choice. For more academic resources on writing the statement of purpose for grad school or on how to request a letter of recommendation , head over to our Admissions Resources pages.

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	University of Southern California
	Oct 13, 2024   USC Catalogue 2020-2021     USC Catalogue 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE] USC Gould School of Law students study together outside of the Law School building. Photo by Chris Flynn. J uris Doctor (JD) Juris Doctor-Dual Degrees Master’s degree programs. C ertificates U ndergraduate Courses and Programs Courses of Instruction     The USC Gould School of Law provides a forward-looking, interdisciplinary legal education, guided by nationally renowned professors and practitioners and energized by an engaged and collegial student body. As one of the most diverse of the nation’s top law schools, USC Gould is made up of students from across the country and around the world whose ideas and experiences enrich the learning process and provide new perspectives on the law. Through collaborative and rigorous training, hands-on experiential offerings, and exceptional career services support, Gould students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed regionally, nationally and globally. USC Gould alumni are partners in the world’s largest law firms, CEOs and presidents of multimillion-dollar companies, and leaders in government and public service organizations. Since its founding in 1900, the school has produced scores of judges and elected officials at the city, state and federal levels. USC Gould School of Law (213) 740-7331 Email: [email protected] gould.usc.edu Administration Andrew T. Guzman, JD, PhD, Dean * Franita Tolson, JD, Vice Dean* Donald Scotten, JD, LLM, Vice Dean* Elizabeth A. Carroll, JD, Vice Dean Elizabeth Armour, AB, Associate Dean Deborah A. Call, MBA, Associate Dean and Chief Programs Officer Raymond Flores, MBA, EdD, Associate Dean Diana C. Jaque, MLIS, JD, Associate Dean David Kirschner, JD, Associate Dean Robin H. Maness, MS, Associate Dean and Chief Development Officer Yasmine McMorrin, JD,  Associate Dean Donna Pavlick, JD, LLM, PhD, Associate Dean Ian Wood, MBA, Associate Dean and Chief Financial Officer Margaret A. Kean, BA, Assistant Dean Misa Shimotsu-Kim, MEd, Assistant Dean Dean and Carl Mason Franklin Chair in Law: Andrew T. Guzman, JD, PhD* University Professor and Scott H. Bice Chair in Healthcare Law, Policy and Ethics: Alexander Morgan Capron, LLB*, MA (Hon.) Judge Edward J. and Ruey L. Guirado Chair in Law: Thomas D. Lyon, JD, PhD* Edward G. Lewis Chair in Law: Daniel M. Klerman, JD, PhD J. Thomas McCarthy Trustee Chair in Law: Robert K. Rasmussen, JD Robert C. Packard Trustee Chair in Law: Edward D. Kleinbard, MA, JD Robert C. Packard Trustee Chair in Law: Edward J. McCaffery, MA, JD* The Rader Family Trustee Chair in Law: Rebecca L. Brown, JD* Nathan and Lilly Shapell Chair in Law: Nomi M. Stolzenberg, JD UPS Foundation Chair in Law and Gerontology: Martin L. Levine, JD, LLD* University Professor of Journalism, Communication and Law: Geoffrey Cowan, LLB (Journalism) Orrin B. Evans Distinguished Professor of Law:  Elyn R. Saks, MLitt, JD, PhD, LLD (Hon.)* Virginia S. and Fred H. Bice Professor of Law: Scott A. Altman, JD* Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law: Jody David Armour, JD Richard L. and Maria B. Crutcher Professor of Law: Dan Simon, LLB, MBA, LLM, SJD Sidney M. and Audrey M. Irmas Endowed Clinical Professor of Law: Niels W. Frenzen, JD Maurice Jones, Jr. – Class of 1925 Professor of Law and Philosophy: Gregory C. Keating, JD, PhD Robert Kingsley Professor of Law: Susan R. Estrich, JD Richard L. and Antoinette S. Kirtland Professor of Law: Daria Roithmayr, JD Newton Professor of Constitutional Law: David B. Cruz, MS, JD* Robert C. and Nanette T. Packard Professor of Law: Scott H. Bice, JD* Provost Professor of Policy, Political Science and Law:  Jeffery A. Jenkins, PhD (Political Science) *** John B. and Alice R. Sharp Professor of Law: Ariela J. Gross, JD, PhD* Torrey H. Webb Professor of Law: Jonathan M. Barnett, MA, MPhil, JD Professors:  Sam Erman, JD, PhD; Sofia Mary Gruskin, JD, MIA (Preventive Medicine) ; Bart A. Kosko, JD, PhD (Electrical and Computer Engineering) ; Sharon A. Lloyd, PhD (Philosophy) ; John G. Matsusaka, PhD (Finance and Business Economics) ; Claudia Moatti, PhD, HDR (Classics) ; Kevin J. Murphy, PhD (Finance and Business Economics) ; Jonathan Quong, PhD  (Philosophy) *; Alison Dundes Renteln, JD, PhD (Political Science) ; Camille Gear Rich, JD; Stephen Rich, MA, JD*; Emily Ryo, JD, PhD; Wayne Sandholtz, PhD (International Relations) ; Hilary M. Schor, PhD (English) ; Michael Simkovic, JD; Franita Tolson, JD Associate Professors: Jessica Marglin, MA, PhD (Religion) ; Nathan Perl-Rosenthal, MA, MPhil, PhD (History);  Abby K. Wood, MALD, JD, PhD Assistant Professors: Erik Hovenkamp, JD, PhD; Felipe Jimenez, JD, LLM, JSD; Dorothy S. Lund, JD; Marcela Prieto Rudolphy, JD, LLM Adjunct Professor:  Richard Peterson, MDR, JD, LLM Adjunct Assistant Professors:  Preston Ascherin, JD; Anitha Cadambi, LLB, LLM; Judy K. Davis, MLIS, JD; Cynthia Guyer, MLIS, JD; Sarah Hall, JD; Diana C. Jaque, MA, MLIS, JD; Paul Moorman, MLIS, JD; Brian Peck, JD; Brian M. Raphael, MLS, JD*; Jean Lantz Reisz, JD; Karen Skinner, MS, MLS, JD Clinical Professors:  Michael J. Brennan, LLB; Michael Chasalow, JD, MBA*; Hannah R. Garry, MA, JD*; Lisa Klerman, JD; Jef Pearlman, JD; Heidi L. Rummel, JD Professors of Lawyering Skills:  Elizabeth A. Carroll, JD; Rebecca S. Lonergan, JD; Susan C. Wright, JD Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills: Laura Riley, JD Professors of the Practice of Law: Clare Pastore, JD; Donald Scotten, JD, LLM Emeritus Professors:  Marshall Cohen, MA, MA (Oxon) (University Professor); Edward J. Finegan, PhD (Linguistics) ; Ronald R. Garet, MPhil, JD, PhD* (Carolyn Craig Franklin Chair in Law, Emeritus) ; Cynthia B. Herrup, PhD (History); George Lefcoe, LLB (Ervin and Florine Yoder Chair in Real Estate Law); Michael H. Shapiro, MA, JD (Dorothy W. Nelson Professor of Law, Emeritus) ; Larry G. Simon, LLB (Herbert W. Armstrong Professor of Constitutional Law, Emeritus) ; W. David Slawson, MA, LLB* (Torrey H. Webb Professor of Law, Emeritus) ; Christopher D. Stone, JD, LLD (Hon.)* (J. Thomas McCarthy Trustee Chair in Law, Emeritus) Clinical Emeritus Professors: Lee W. Campbell, JD; Noel M. Ragsdale, JD* Emeritus Professor of Lawyering Skills: Robert M. Saltzman, JD *Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award. USC Gould School of Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association . For information on ABA accreditation, please contact: The American Bar Association 321 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 988-5000 Juris Doctor The Juris Doctor (JD) is the standard law degree. To obtain the degree, full-time attendance for six semesters is required. During the first year, the student takes a curriculum of basic courses that examine fundamental legal institutions and address legal problems relevant to today’s society and the modern practice of law. During the second and third years, the student must complete a writing requirement and at least 6 units in experiential courses. The remainder of the courses taken in the last two years are primarily elective. JD students have an opportunity to learn about foreign legal systems and to experience different cultures through study abroad programs. Qualified second- and third-year JD candidates are exposed to international law as they take part in exchange programs with leading partner institutions worldwide. For more information, please check out the Gould School of Law Website. All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) administered by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) or the Graduate Records Examinations (GRE) administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Applicants who take the LSAT must take the test no later than February if they seek to start law school the following August. Applicants who take the GRE must take the test no later than mid-January (the specific date is available in the application instructions) if they plan to start law school the following August. USC Gould admits a small number of highly qualified transfer students with LLM degrees from USC Gould. These students will have taken a large number of JD courses in their LLM course of study and received strong grades in those courses; the LSAT is not required.   USC Gould School of Law maintains several dual degree programs with the graduate schools on campus. These programs enable qualified students to earn a law degree (JD) and the appropriate master’s degree. If the master’s degree normally requires one year of study, a student in a dual degree program may earn both degrees in only three years. If the master’s normally requires two years of post-baccalaureate courses, a total of four years may be required. To earn the JD, all students (including dual degree students) must complete 37 numerically graded law units at USC beyond the first year curriculum. Students may be accepted for a dual degree program when they are accepted to the law school, although most students do not apply until near the end of the first year. All programs require that students successfully complete the required first year of law school before beginning work toward the master’s degree. Credit toward the law degree may not be given for graduate work completed prior to the completion of the first year of law school, although some credit toward the master’s degree may be allowed by the faculty of the cooperating department of approved work completed prior to the first year of law school. Students are not eligible for either of their dual degrees until they complete the requirements for both degrees.  Following are general descriptions of current dual degree programs. Students who wish to pursue a dual degree program with a graduate program not listed below, can propose a customized dual-degree program. In all cases, prospective students must seek and gain acceptance to both the law school and the other graduate program, and have the dual degree program approved by both schools. Decisions regarding admission to the law school and the graduate program are made independently. For more information, contact the Law School Admissions Office at  [email protected] . Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration In addition to the LSAT, applicants to this dual degree program are required to take the Graduate Management Aptitude Test. Requirements are detailed at  Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA)    and in the USC Marshall School of Business section of this catalogue. Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation The Leventhal School of Accounting offers a specialized program in taxation leading to the Master in Business Taxation (MBT). Requirements are detailed at  Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation (JD/MBT)    and in the USC Leventhal School of Accounting section of this catalogue. Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration Students are required to complete 97 units of course work. Candidates for the dual degree must fulfill the statistics requirement of the Public Administration (MPA)    degree. See the Master of Public Administration section. Requirements are detailed at  Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA)    and in the USC Price School of Public Policy section of this catalogue. Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy The USC Price School of Public Policy and the USC Gould School of Law offer a dual degree that enables qualified students to earn both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Policy in approximately four years of study. The dual degree allows students to acquire a blend of the analytic skills of public policy and an understanding of legal institutions and processes. This combination of knowledge is well suited for law students who want to affect the policy-making process and craft legislation to aid in achievement of public policy goals. It is equally appropriate for prospective policy analysts who are interested in law and public policy. Dual degree students spend the first year of the program completing the required first year of law school. The remaining units of law school courses and the required 36 units of core MPP courses are taken by students in the second through fourth years. Students are required to complete 114 units of course work, including 78 units in the USC Gould School of Law and 36 units in the USC Price School of Public Policy. The MPP program has a statistics prerequisite. See  Public Policy (MPP)   . Requirements are detailed at  Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy (JD/MPP)    and in the USC Price School of Public Policy section. Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR)  The on-campus Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR) program is a master’s degree program for law graduates and attorneys interested in building strength as advocates in ADR processes or gaining skills and a prestigious credential for pursuing career opportunities as mediators or arbitrators. Students submitting an application must have earned a basic law degree, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Juris Doctor (JD) or the foreign equivalent. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website for more information. Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law (LLM in IBEL)  The on-campus Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law degree is a two- to four-semester, full-time and part-time master’s degree program for law graduates and attorneys interested in developing a global perspective and interdisciplinary skills that will enable them to understand and integrate relevant laws, policies and business best practices that shape international commerce and trade. Master of Laws in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity (LLM in PLCB) The on-campus Master of Laws in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity degree is a two- to four-semester, full-time and part-time master’s degree program for law graduates and attorneys who wish to develop skills that will enable them to understand and integrate relevant laws, policies and best practices that shape privacy law and cybersecurity. Students submitting an application must have earned a basic law degree, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or the foreign equivalent. Please visit the  Gould School of Law Website  for more information. Master of Laws (LLM) (On-campus and Online) The on-campus Master of Laws (LLM) program is a master’s degree program for foreign graduate students trained in law. This two- to four-semester, full-time and part-time program introduces foreign lawyers to American law and the U.S. legal system and prepares them for leadership roles in the global market. Students may enroll in an optional certificate track in Alternate Dispute Resolution, Business Law, Compliance, Media and Entertainment Law, Transnational Law and Business, or Technology and Entrepreneurship Law. The online Master of Laws (LLM) program is a master’s degree program for foreign graduate students trained in law. This program is offered on a part-time or full-time basis in a completely online modality and introduces foreign lawyers to American law and the U.S. legal system and prepares them for leadership roles in the global market. Students may enroll in an optional certificate track in Business Law, Compliance, Entertainment Law and Industry, Financial Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Compliance, or Privacy Law and Cybersecurity. Students submitting an application to either LLM program must have earned a basic law degree, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or the foreign equivalent. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website  for more information. Two-Year Extended Master of Laws (LLM) The on-campus Two-Year Extended Master of Laws (LLM) program combines a one-year certificate program with a one-year master’s degree for foreign graduate students trained in law. During the first year, students complete mandatory law and English courses to prepare them for the master’s program and further their English fluency. After successful completion of the first year, students earn a Certificate in U.S. Legal Studies   . In the second year, students matriculate into our on-campus Master of Laws program. Students submitting an application must have earned a basic law degree, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or the foreign equivalent. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website for more information. Master of Comparative Law (MCL)  The on-campus Master of Comparative Law (MCL) program is a master’s degree program for foreign graduate students trained in law who have already earned an LLM degree. This two-semester, full-time program is focused on the study of comparative law. Students submitting an application must have earned a basic law degree, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or the foreign equivalent and have previously earned an LLM degree. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website for more information. Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)  The on-campus Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) program is a master’s degree program for graduates from varying fields of study, who are interested in building strength as advocates in alternative dispute resolution processes. Students submitting an application must have earned an undergraduate degree by the time they begin the MDR program. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website for more information. Master of Studies in Law (MSL) (On-campus and Online) The on-campus Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program is designed for new graduates as well as seasoned professionals from varying fields of studies and careers, who seek an understanding of how the U.S. legal system functions. Students may enroll in an optional certificate track in Business Law or Compliance. The online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is designed for new graduates as well as seasoned professionals from varying fields of studies and careers. This program is offered on a part-time or full-time basis in a completely online modality for students who seek an understanding of how the U.S. legal system functions. Students may enroll in an optional certificate track in in Business Law, Compliance, Entertainment Law and Industry, Financial Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Compliance, or Privacy Law and Cybersecurity. Students submitting an application must have earned an undergraduate degree by the time they begin the MSL degree. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website for more information. A progressive degree is an option for current USC undergraduate students. For more information, please visit the Gould School of Law Website . You may also contact  USC Gould Undergraduate  for more details.) Certificates USC Gould offers stand-alone certificates to allow students with a bachelor’s degree to gain further knowledge of a particular area of law.  Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate    (On-campus) Business Law Certificate (Online)     Compliance Certificate    (Online) Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate    (Online) Financial Compliance Certificate    (Online)                 Health Care Compliance Certificate    (Online)             Human Resources Law and Compliance Certificate    (Online)      Privacy Law and Cybersecurity Certificate    (Online)   Registration Registration for JD students is handled by the USC Gould School of Law Academic Services Office. First-year students will automatically be registered in their fall semester courses approximately two to three weeks prior to the beginning of the school year and for their spring semester courses during the week listed in the law school calendar for upper-division student registration.  Registration for master’s students is handled by the Graduate and International Programs Office. Master’s students will receive registration information in July with detailed instructions on how to register for fall and spring classes.  Grading and Attendance Policies The grading system uses both numbers and letters in a range from 1.9 to 4.4 with letter-grade equivalents ranging from F to A+. The grade equivalents are: A+ (4.1–4.4); A (3.8–4.0); A- (3.5–3.7); B+ (3.3–3.4); B (3.0–3.2); B- (2.7–2.9); C+ (2.5–2.6); C (2.4); C- (2.1–2.3); D (2.0); and F (1.9). Students receiving a grade of 1.9 will not be given credit for the course toward graduation. A student who fails a first-year course must repeat the course, but both grades will be included in computing that student’s general average. Other courses may not be repeated except on petition to the associate dean. A student with a weighted cumulative average of less than 3.0 at the end of the year will be placed on restricted enrollment. A Juris Doctor student with a weighted cumulative average of less than 2.9 at the end of any year will not be permitted to continue. An overall grade point average of at least 2.6 is required for graduation for students who are enrolled in the LLM, LLM in ADR, MCL, MDR or MSL, Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate, Business Law Certificate (online), Compliance Certificate (online), and Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate (online) programs. After the first year, a Juris Doctor student may take up to a total of 8 units on an elected CR/D/F basis, chosen from among courses otherwise graded in a normal manner. No more than 4 such units may be taken in a semester. Master’s students may take up to 5 units of CR/D/F grading during the length of their program. The student must elect to take a course CR/D/F during the first two weeks of the semester. Courses or seminars may, at the instructor’s option, be designated prior to registration as not available for CR/D/F grading. To earn the JD, all students (including dual degree students) must complete 37 numerically graded law units at USC beyond the first-year curriculum. Students may also take such courses regularly offered only on a CR/D/F basis, in addition to courses taken under this rule. Withdrawals from Courses A student may not withdraw from a course later than two weeks after the first day of classes of any semester without permission of both the associate dean and the instructor. Class attendance is an important part of law school education. It assists both the individual and fellow students in making the most of the educational opportunity offered. Students should, therefore, attend class regularly and participate in the discussion. Professors may require attendance and may take attendance into account in evaluating student performance. For tuition and fee information, please visit the Gould School of Law Website . Standard Unit Rule The Standard Unit Rule (also called “credit hour”) is an amount of work that reasonably approximates: (1)  not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work per week for 15 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2)  at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. (ABA Standard 310) Depending on the course type, the law school awards credit for varying periods of time. In all cases, however, the course work entails no less than the minimum total amount of in-class and out-of-class time required by the ABA (per Interpretation 310-1): 50 minutes of in-class time and two 60-minute periods of out-of-class time for 15 weeks for each unit of credit (a 15-week may period may include one week for a final examination). In exceptional cases, at the discretion of the Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs (upon the request of the faculty member), a specific course may carry 1 unit of credit greater than the time the course meets each week. Those cases are limited to courses in which the instructor certifies to the Vice Dean that the course requires substantial written work. If the written work is optional, students may enroll in these types of courses for different unit values. Students performing the written work will receive additional credit.   Full policies and procedures for USC Gould School of Law students are published in the Student Handbook and are available on the Law Portal. Undergraduate Courses and Programs USC Gould School of Law, one of the nation’s elite law schools, offers undergraduate courses and programs in its curriculum, which are taught by its internationally distinguished faculty and lecturers. Our mission is to provide a broad-based academic foundation in law to undergraduate students who have an interest in law and legal-related fields. Law affects everyone in our society and students will deepen their education by exploring the role law plays in the world, its impact on society, and the way in which it intersects and impacts almost every facet of life. USC Gould courses meet a variety of graduation requirements. Some courses satisfy USC General Education (GE) requirements, and others are either required or are electives in several USC majors and minors. For more information about the minor in Legal Studies, undergraduate course offerings, and those that satisfy USC General Education requirements, please vist the USC Gould School of Law Website  or email: [email protected] Undergraduate Courses  LAW 101w   ,  LAW 200w   , LAW 201   ,  LAW 202   , LAW 205    ,  LAW 210p   , LAW 220   ,  LAW 250w   , LAW 275p   ,  LAW 300   , LAW 310w    ,  LAW 320p   , LAW 402   ,  LAW 403   ,  LAW 404   , LAW 406   ,  LAW 444   , ECON 434   . Minor in Legal Studies The minor in Legal Studies enables students to deepen their understanding the U.S. legal system and provides them with the fundamentals of law. The minor in Legal Studies totals 22 units, consisting of 6 required units, and 16 elective units. For more details on the minor, please visit USC Gould School of Law Website . Undergraduate students wishing to declare a minor in Legal Studies should email: [email protected]  or submit an application form .   Undergraduate Majors, that include LAW courses: Law, History, and Culture (BA)       Philosophy, Politics and Law (BA)      Public Policy (BS)      Undergraduate Minors, that include LAW courses: Economics Minor      Forensics and Criminality Minor      Justice, Voice, and Advocacy Minor       Health Policy Minor      Law and Public Policy Minor      Law and Society Minor     Psychology and Law Minor      Resistance to Genocide Interdisciplinary Minor      Progressive Master of Studies in Law (MSL) USC’s Progressive Degree program enables USC undergraduate students to begin work on a USC master’s degree while completing the requirements for their USC bachelor’s degree. Students complete their undergraduate degree and MSL degree in no more than five years.  Undergraduate students may submit an application to the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree program as a junior for enrollment beginning in the fall or spring. Students must have completed at least 64 total units of undergraduate course work, but may not have not exceeded 96 total units, excluding AP, IB or transfer units earned prior to graduation from high school. Students must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 both at the time an application is submitted and at enrollment. Students should complete their undergraduate degree and MSL degree in a total of five years. For more information, please vist the USC Gould School of Law Website  or email: [email protected] Accelerated BA/JD Program (3+3) Undergraduate students at USC, who have completed their required bachelor’s major course work by the end of their junior year (or have minimal units of upper-division elective courses remaining), may apply to our accelerated JD program. Students will complete their undergraduate and law school studies in a total of six years.   Students must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.80 both at the time an application is submitted and at enrollment. Under current ABA guidelines, the LSAT is not required; however, this is subject to change. The program is open to all participating majors. Please visit the Gould School of Law Website  for more information. •  Legal Studies Minor Master’s Degree •  Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM) •  Comparative Law (MCL) •  Dispute Resolution (MDR) •  International Business and Economic Law (LLM) •  Master of Laws (LLM) •  Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Program •  Privacy Law and Cybersecurity (LLM) Graduate Certificate •  Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate •  Business Law Certificate (On-Campus) •  Business Law Certificate (Online) •  Certificate in U.S. Legal Studies •  Compliance Certificate •  Entertainment Law (On-Campus) Certificate •  Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate •  Financial Compliance Certificate •  Health Care Compliance Certificate •  Human Resources Law and Compliance Certificate •  Privacy Law and Cybersecurity Certificate •  Public Interest Certificate •  Technology and Entrepreneurship Law Certificate •  Transnational Law and Business Certificate Dual Degree •  Juris Doctor/Doctor of Pharmacy (JD/PharmD) •  Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science and International Relations (JD/PhD) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Economics (JD/MA) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Arts, International Relations (JD/MA) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Arts, Philosophy (JD/MA) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Communication Management (JD/MCG) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy (JD/MPP) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Real Estate Development (JD/MRED) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Gerontology (JD/MS) •  Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (JD/MSW) Doctoral Degree •  Law (JD) Courses numbered 500 and above are open only to law students except by special permission from the associate dean. •  LAW 101w Law and the U.S. Constitution in Global History •  LAW 200w Law and Society •  LAW 201 Law and Politics •  LAW 202 Wrongful Convictions •  LAW 205 Introduction to Criminal Law •  LAW 210p Fundamentals of the U.S. Legal System •  LAW 220 The Legal Profession •  LAW 250w Children and the Law •  LAW 275p The Origin and Evolution of American Civil Rights Law •  LAW 300 Concepts in American Law •  LAW 310w Global Justice for Mass Atrocities and Genocide •  LAW 320p Law, Slavery, and Race •  LAW 350 Law and Entrepreneurship •  LAW 402 Psychology and Law •  LAW 403 Mental Health Law •  LAW 404 Law and Psychology: Examining the Criminal Justice Process •  LAW 406 Individual Rights in U.S. Constitutional Law •  LAW 444 Civil and Political Rights and Liberties •  LAW 490x Directed Research •  LAW 502 Procedure I •  LAW 503 Contracts •  LAW 504 Criminal Law •  LAW 505 Legal Profession •  LAW 507 Property •  LAW 508 Constitutional Law: Structure •  LAW 509 Torts I •  LAW 510 Legal Research •  LAW 511a Legal Writing •  LAW 511b Legal Writing •  LAW 512 Law, Language and Values •  LAW 513 Effective Writing for Professionals •  LAW 515 Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy I •  LAW 516 Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy II •  LAW 520 Introduction to U.S. Legal System •  LAW 521 Topics in American Law •  LAW 522 Entertainment Law and Industry •  LAW 525 Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law •  LAW 527 Intellectual Property: Copyright •  LAW 528 Constitutional Law •  LAW 530 Fundamental Business Principles •  LAW 531 Ethical Issues for Public Interest, Government and Criminal Lawyers •  LAW 532 Constitutional Law: Rights •  LAW 550 Law for Business •  LAW 551 Intellectual Property Trademark •  LAW 559 Human Resource Compliance •  LAW 560 Academic and Professional Skills for U.S. Law Studies I •  LAW 561a Fundamentals of Legal Writing Skills •  LAW 561b Fundamentals of Legal Writing Skills •  LAW 562 Introduction to U.S. Legal Culture and Practice •  LAW 563 Presentation Skills for International Lawyers •  LAW 564 Persuasive Advocacy •  LAW 565 U.S. Common Law Analysis and Skills •  LAW 566 Academic and Professional Skills for U.S. Law Studies II •  LAW 567 Introduction to Litigation in U.S. Courts •  LAW 571 Organizational Conflict •  LAW 572 Practical Mediation Skills Clinic •  LAW 574 Health Care Compliance •  LAW 579 Global Regulatory Compliance •  LAW 580 Wicked Problems Practicum •  LAW 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training •  LAW 598 Regulatory Compliance •  LAW 599 Special Topics •  LAW 600 Taxation •  LAW 601 Advanced Legal Writing •  LAW 602 Criminal Procedure •  LAW 603 Business Organizations •  LAW 604 Real Estate Transactions Problems •  LAW 605 Real Estate Transactions and Finance •  LAW 606 Land Use Controls •  LAW 607 Gifts, Wills, and Trusts •  LAW 608 Evidence •  LAW 609 Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Compliance •  LAW 610 Antidiscrimination Law •  LAW 611 Advanced Topics in Constitutional Law •  LAW 612 California Civil Procedure •  LAW 613 Corporate Governance •  LAW 614 Accounting for Lawyers •  LAW 615 Election Law •  LAW 617 History of American Law •  LAW 618 Advanced Contracts •  LAW 619 Employment Law •  LAW 621 Gender Discrimination •  LAW 622 Money in Politics •  LAW 623 Family Law •  LAW 624 Water Law •  LAW 625 Remedies •  LAW 626 International Investment Law and Arbitration •  LAW 627 Business Planning •  LAW 628 Real Estate Joint Ventures Between Capital Sources and Developers •  LAW 629 Real Estate Development, Entitlements and Zoning •  LAW 630 Mediation Clinic I •  LAW 631 Mediation Clinic II •  LAW 632 Business for Lawyers •  LAW 633 Business Principles in Law •  LAW 634 Legal Analysis of Evidence •  LAW 635 Employment Discrimination Law •  LAW 636 Labor Law •  LAW 637 International Trade Policy •  LAW 640 Financial Institution Regulation •  LAW 642 Secured Transactions 232 IMAGES Masters Vs PhD: The Difference Between Masters & PhD/Doctorates 2024+ What Is Bachelor Master Phd Pathways to PhD Differences between Masters vs PhD PhD, Master and Bachelor Students Masters vs PhD VIDEO PhD without masters in USA|From BSC in Ghana to PhD at Clemson University Supervise PhD students to get Tenure Fast! Faculty of Organizational Sciences ACADEMIC POSTIONS IN GERMANY BACHELOR MASTER PHD 2024 Master's vs. PhD: Navigating the Educational Landscape china university fully funded scholarships for Bachelor, master, PhD, stipend,career COMMENTS Academic degree - Wikipedia Formal education after the bachelor's degree leads to the master's degree with the title of maestro and doctorate degrees, known as doctorado (doctorate). The master's degree normally takes two years. Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences - Scribbr In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program. Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD. Masters Vs PhD: The Difference Between Masters & PhD ... Which One Is Higher: A Masters or a PhD? For most students, a Bachelor’s degree is the ‘first’ degree. Second is a Master’s degree. Third is Doctorate degree, such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), is a ‘terminal degree’. But that doesn’t mean it’s the same path for everyone or for all subjects. How to Become a Professor | Drexel University 6 Steps to Becoming a Professor: Qualifications and Requirements. Like any occupation, becoming a professor has a progression to be followed if this is your desired career path. Mapped out for you here are the qualifications and requirements to become a professor with a doctorate degree. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree Deciphering Degrees: An Introduction to Academic Titles The most common kind of doctoral degree is a PhD, but others exist, such as the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration). Those who have received a doctoral degree are formally addressed as “doctor” or “professor.” Doctor of Philosophy - Wikipedia A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil; Latin: philosophiae doctor or doctor in philosophia) [ 1 ] is a terminal degree, that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research. Masters vs PhD - Differences Explained - DiscoverPhDs In short, a Masters degree involves a year of study, primarily through taught lectures and a final dissertation research project, whilst a PhD (also referred to as a doctorate degree) is a three-year commitment of independent research on a specific subject. Demystifying Graduate Degrees: Comparing Master’s vs. Doctorate Depending on your field, a master’s degree can be a stepping stone toward a PhD or other doctoral programs. It gives you a solid foundation in research methods and academic rigor — a boon if you want to pursue a career in academia or conduct advanced research. Master’s vs PhD/Doctorate Degrees – Key Differences Difference Between Masters and PhD: An Overview. A master’s degree is designed to teach you the knowledge and skills that you will need in your future profession. A PhD or doctorate degree, on the other hand, is designed to develop your critical thinking as well as your analytical and writing skills and is usually a years-long commitment to ... USC Gould School of Law - University of Southern California ... As one of the most diverse of the nation’s top law schools, USC Gould is made up of students from across the country and around the world whose ideas and experiences enrich the learning process and provide new perspectives on the law. essay homework paper phd project review speech study thesis