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Navigating the Academic Track: From BA/BS to MA/MS to PhD

This guide explores the academic pathways from obtaining a BA/BS to pursuing a PhD, focusing on the role of MA/MS degrees in the process. It discusses who typically pursues an MA/MS, the potential benefits such as shortening the time to a PhD, and the financial support available, including stipends. The challenges of graduate school, including rigorous exams and the importance of research experience, are highlighted. Insights on choosing the right graduate school and what it takes to succeed in a PhD program are also provided.

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Navigating the Academic Track: From BA/BS to MA/MS to PhD

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  1. The “Academic” Track • BA/BS —> MA/MS —> PhD (?) ==================================== • Typically (in the sciences), most students who get a PhD enter directly from a BA/BS • So… who gets an MA/MS? Why get an MA/MS? • Will an MA/MS shorten the time to get a PhD? • How/where are most MA/MS degrees earned?

  2. Getting a PhDCan you afford it? • Typically (in the sciences), most students will receive a stipend (up to $30,000 in 2010) in addition to all tuition and fees • Why will “they” pay YOU to do something that will increase your job/pay prospects? [HINT: Think TA or RA]

  3. How Else Are Grad Schools Different? • Classes typically 1-2 years (maximum) • No Summer Vacation; this is WORK • PhD thesis is based on original ideas that are (typically) yours and your PhD supervisor’s; and on YOUR research • All programs have entrance exams, cumulative exams, qualifying exams, proposals, and/or other hurdles

  4. Preparing for Grad School & Getting Admitted to Grad School • GPA ≥ 3.0 (esp in UD classes in your major) • Successful UG Research or Internships or related & relevant Experience • 200-level (graduate level) coursework • Attend graduate level seminars in your department • Excellent letters of recommendation • GRE (Graduate Record Exam; equivalent to SAT in purpose/format) with high scores (of course)

  5. Choosing a Grad School • Discuss with your advisor or other faculty you trust/respect • Research what your experience will be like: • Typical time to degree? • Typical % who eventually obtain PhD? • Location and other misc. factors • DEFINITELY visit the school & meet/interview both faculty and students • Don’t consider a school with fewer than two research groups you would be interested in joining

  6. Completing a PhD • You MUST complete Publishable Research (& then you must publish it!) • Satisfy your Thesis Committee • Present a Departmental Seminar

  7. If You Screw Up • You will not “advance to candidacy” • You will get an MA/MS as a “consolation prize” • BUT this will still involve writing a thesis (that is of shorter length and lesser scope than a PhD thesis)

  8. If You Screw Up -- BIGTIME • You won’t even get the MA/MS degree

  9. What your thesis supervisor can do for you • Everything IF you are excellent at research • Rules will be bent for an excellent researcher who is so-so in course work; a poor research prospect usually won’t advance to candidacy • Your thesis supervisor is the closest you will ever come to having an additional parent

  10. Free and Easy? • Free --> YES • Easy --> NO; grad school is a BIG psychic and time commitment =============================== • How good will you need to be to get accepted to a PhD program? • How good will you need to be to complete the PhD?

  11. Is Grad School Right for YOU? • Perhaps??? • You will only find out by trying research and/or 200-level courses; and investigating the possibilities

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