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Difference Between Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate

Jennifer Finetti Aug 12, 2022

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As a high school student , you’ve probably started thinking about college. Maybe you even started to do research and narrow down your options. You may have come across the following terms: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees.

So, what is the difference between undergraduate and graduate and postgraduate?

Read on to learn more! 

What is an undergraduate degree?

After students finish high school, they get an undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree refers to either a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. When people talk about going to college or university , they are talking about getting an undergraduate degree.

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How many years is an undergraduate degree?

There are two levels of undergraduate degrees: associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. An associate degree requires 2 years to complete, and typically is earned at a community college . A bachelor’s degree requires completion of four years of study.

Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree can either complete their entire degree at a four-year college or university OR they can attend a community college for their first two years, and then transfer to a university for their final two years.

What is a graduate degree?

After a student gets their undergraduate degree, they have two options. They may either get a job or continue with their studies. If they choose to continue with their studies, they pursue a graduate degree.

A graduate degree is any degree that is above a bachelor’s degree. This includes a master’s degree or doctoral degree . Master’s degrees take around 2-3 years to complete. Doctoral degrees take around 5-6 years.

Graduate degrees are typically more narrowly-focused than an undergraduate degree. This enables students to dive more deeply into their specific career interest, gaining the knowledge and expertise needed in their chosen field. Oftentimes, a student must have a graduate degree to get a job. Somebody seeking a career as a clinical social worker, must have their Master’s of Social Work.

You don’t have to get a graduate degree right after you finish your undergraduate degree. Many students take a break after their undergraduate degree and decide to work or travel instead. It’s common to see mature students in their late 20s and 30s (and even older) who decide to go back to school to get a graduate degree later in life.

To get accepted into graduate school, you must have a bachelor’s degree. This means that you must graduate from a 4-year undergraduate college or university. A student can only pursue a graduate degree if they already have a bachelor’s degree.

What is a postgraduate degree?

Students get confused with the term “postgraduate degree.” There actually isn’t a real difference between the two. Postgraduate is used interchangeably with graduate. Like a graduate degree, postgraduate refers to the range of higher degrees past the undergraduate degree. This includes both master’s degrees and Phds .

Difference between undergraduate and graduate and postgraduate

Undergraduate degree programs and graduate degree programs are very different from one another. Undergraduate programs help students gain basic knowledge in a major , or even in a few majors. Students must take a variety of courses, and not only courses relating to their major. They usually spend the first few years fulfilling general course requirements.  

Graduate programs are very different. You go to graduate school to learn something very specific. So, all the courses you take relate to your field of study.

Another big difference between the two is switching majors. In undergraduate programs, students aren’t always sure what they want to major in . Even if they choose a specific major, they may end up changing it. Undergraduate programs allow students to switch majors. It is also fairly easy to transfer to another school for any given reason.

Because graduate programs are so specific, it’s not easy to switch your field of study. You would have to fulfill new requirements and go through the application process all over again.

Another big difference is class size. Undergraduate classes tend to be much larger than graduate classes. In graduate programs, class sizes are much smaller.

Because of the difference in class size, teacher-student interaction also differs. In undergraduate programs, there isn’t much room to interact with your professors. There are also fewer opportunities to participate in class.

Graduate programs are more intimate and thus, more dynamic. Students have more opportunities to participate in class discussions. They also have more opportunities to work with their professors.

To get accepted into an undergraduate program, students must take the SAT or ACT . Other requirements include a minimum GPA , letters of recommendation  and personal statements . Colleges and universities all have their own requirements.

Many graduate programs require students to take an entrance exam such as the GRE, or specialized entrance exams for law school or medical school. Not all graduate programs require an entrance exam, so be sure to check the requirements for the program you are applying for.

Graduate programs also typically require that certain undergraduate classes be completed prior to applying, so you’ll want to check to be sure that you have completed any required courses. Sometimes graduate programs will allow you to complete missing prerequisites while enrolled in your graduate degree program.  

Final thoughts

Whether you have already started your bachelor’s degree or you’re still in high school, it’s nice to get an idea of what your options are. This can help you plan the classes you want to take in college or university and make the most of your degree.

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Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

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• 799 PhD, DMA, JSD

If you’re considering grad school for your future, you are probably asking yourself many questions:

• Is grad school the best option for me now? 
• What are the benefits and challenges? 
• What’s the difference between undergrad and grad school? 
• Should I seek a master’s or doctoral program? 
• Which grad programs should I apply for? 
• What’s involved in an application to grad school? 
• What are admissions committees looking for? 
• Who can help me? What resources are available? 
• What are some alternatives to grad school?

These are all important questions to consider, and they should be considered carefully. This guide is organized around the main aspects of the decision-making process and application, which can help address many of your questions. 

Because these decisions and your application for graduate school are complex and time-consuming, this guide was prepared to provide critical information and advice. This guide  also contains questions to ask yourself and exercises to help you prepare your application for graduate programs. Be as honest as possible with yourself, and talk about your answers with close friends and family. You may need to adjust the wording of your answers for your application, but it’s important to begin with an honest self-assessment as you prepare your application.

Using this guide and working on these exercises can help you get started in the right direction. Additional resources and tools are incorporated within this guide. However, remember to also seek help from other people: faculty, advisors, grad students, postdocs, peers, and career counselors. This guide is meant to provide an overview and does not cover everything. Your specific situation can only be addressed by close friends and mentors who know you personally. 

As you address multiple decisions, this can be a stressful time period. But it may help to realize that you are not alone, and that many others have approached these decisions and have  successfully embarked on new adventures. So, remember to find friends to encourage you in this process. We wish you the best in these new adventures.

Undergraduate vs Graduate (PhD) Programs

The experiences of an undergraduate and graduate student can appear deceptively similar. They are both at a university doing coursework and research. However, there are significant differences. Not understanding the depth of these differences can hinder your chances of being admitted and succeeding in grad school.

Undergraduate Programs You are a student “at school X” • Focus on courses and grades  • More objective evaluations of performance from exams and homework • Feedback is relatively frequent • Most activities and performance evaluations are individualistic

You apply to a university or college • Your interests can be very broad • You apply to a discipline or major • Extracurricular activities are valued

Graduate (PhD) Programs You are a student of “Dr. Z” (research advisor) •  Focus on research •  More subjective evaluations and longer periods without concrete feedback •  Collaboration and independence are valued together, which will likely appear to be counter-intuitive— most activities and performance evaluations are individualistic •  Relationship-driven

You apply into a specific graduate program •  Your interests need to be much more specific •  You apply into a specific field within a discipline •  Some programs require you to apply to work directly with a specific professor •  Extracurricular activities are valued less, unless they demonstrate critical skills related to your field

Master’s vs Doctoral Programs

While a typical 4-year undergraduate program refers to pursuing a bachelor’s degree (often a BS or BA degree), a graduate program can refer to pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.

Master’s Programs (MS or MA) •  Master’s programs usually provide much less financial support.  •  Master’s programs usually last about 2 years, but there are shorter and longer programs, with the range usually between 1 to 3 years. •  All master’s programs require coursework, and only some require research that leads to a thesis (a write-up of your research). •  Requirements for master’s programs are usually less than those for doctoral programs.

Doctoral Programs (PhD) •  Doctoral programs usually provide financial support. •  Doctoral programs have a wide range of typical lengths, from 4 to 8 years. The length of the program is very specific to the field. •  In some doctoral programs (e.g. some engineering programs), you earn a master’s degree before earning a PhD. But in many other programs, the master’s degree is not required before pursuing a PhD. •  All doctoral programs require research that leads to a dissertation (longer than a master’s thesis, a write-up of multiple years of research). •  For some doctoral programs, if you are not able to complete all of the requirements, you might be allowed to exit with a master’s degree.

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Undergraduate vs. Graduate: Educate Yourself On The Difference

• Undergraduate Meaning
• Undergraduate Student And Degree
• Graduate Meaning
• Graduate Degree And Student
• Graduate Origin
• Postgraduate Meaning

⚡ Quick summary

The main difference between undergraduate and graduate is that undergraduate is always used in the context of the first level of college or university education (the level where you can earn a bachelor’s degree ). In terms like graduate student and graduate degree , graduate refers to a level of advanced education beyond the undergraduate level, especially a master’s degree or doctorate . The noun graduate is more general, simply referring to a person who has completed a level of education (someone who has graduated ).

The difference between undergraduate and graduate is a difference of degrees (*throws graduation cap in the air to celebrate the pun*).

The level of education that each word involves varies depending on how the word is being used, and there are situations in which both words can be used in the same situation. For example, you can become a graduate student after graduating with an undergraduate degree.

The word graduate can mean very different things depending on whether it’s used as a noun (as in recent   high school graduates ), an adjective (as in graduate student and graduate degree ), or a verb (as in I plan to graduate next May ). The same goes for its shortened form, grad , which can be used as a noun (as in Congrats, grads! ) or an adjective (as in grad program ).

Undergraduate can also be used both as a noun (as in I’m an undergraduate at Stanford University ) or an adjective (as in I’m working toward my undergraduate degree ). It can be shortened to undergrad in both cases.

By the end of this article, you’ll have an advanced degree in all the different ways graduate, grad , undergraduate , and undergrad are used, and what they mean in each case.

What does undergraduate mean?

An undergraduate is “a student in a university or college who has not received a first, especially a bachelor’s, degree.” For example, a college student might say I’m an undergraduate at the University of Texas if they were pursuing a bachelor’s degree there.

Undergraduate is also commonly used as an adjective in this same context, in terms like undergraduate student , undergraduate degree , and undergraduate studies.

Undergraduate is often shortened to undergrad as both a noun and an adjective.

In undergraduate, the prefix under- is used to indicate a lower rank or status. The educational status of an undergraduate student is below that of a graduate student.

What’s the difference between wisdom and knowledge ? Here’s a lesson on the two terms.

What is an undergraduate student ? And what is an undergraduate degree ?

An undergraduate student is a student who is pursuing a degree at the first level of higher education (meaning the level after high school) at a college or university. Undergraduate students are typically those working to earn a bachelor’s degree (or, less commonly, an associate’s degree ). These degrees are often referred to with the general term undergraduate degree.

Outside of the US, an undergraduate degree is sometimes called a first degree. There are also other types of undergraduate degrees outside of the US, such as a foundation degree (which, like an associate’s degree, is typically a two-year degree).

What does graduate mean?

As a noun, the word graduate  [  graj -oo-it ] refers to “a person who has received a degree or diploma on completing a course of study.” In other words, a graduate is someone who has completed a particular level of schooling or an educational program—a child who just finished kindergarten and a doctor who just completed medical school are both graduates. It can even be used figuratively , as in She’s a graduate of the school of hard knocks.

As a verb, graduate [  graj -oo-eyt ] means “to receive a degree or diploma on completing a course of study.” The process of graduating—and the ceremony itself—is called graduation .

As an adjective, graduate [  graj -oo-it ] means something more specific. It’s used to indicate that a student, degree, or educational program is an advanced one, beyond the level of a bachelor’s degree. This sense of graduate is most commonly used in terms like graduate degree, graduate school , graduate program, and graduate student.

What is a graduate degree ? And what is a graduate student ?

Graduate degree typically refers to a degree beyond a bachelor’s, most commonly a master’s.

A graduate student is a student who’s pursuing an advanced degree after having earned their undergraduate degree (such as a bachelor’s degree) by graduating from an undergraduate program. Calling someone a graduate student most often means they are pursuing their master’s degree, but it may be another advanced degree, such as a PhD (You’d most commonly call such students PhD students. Or you might say they are working toward their doctorate or their doctoral degree.)

To earn a graduate degree, graduate students go to a division of a university known as graduate school , and such a program is often called a graduate program. In all of these terms, graduate is often shortened to grad : grad school , grad student , grad program . (A student doesn’t become a graduate student until they take graduate-level courses. For example, if a student graduates with a bachelor’s degree and then later pursues a different bachelor’s degree, they are still an undergraduate student .)

Some graduate studies are referred to in more specific ways: medical students go to medical school to earn their medical degree ; law students go to law school to earn their law degree.

Do you know the difference between these highly-esteemed graduate degrees and titles: PhD, MD, and Dr ?

Where does the word graduate come from?

Graduate comes from the Medieval Latin graduārī, meaning “to take a degree.” It ultimately derives from the Latin gradus, meaning “a step.” Each time you graduate, you take a step to the next level of education.

What does postgraduate mean?

The adjective postgraduate is sometimes used in the same way as the adjective sense of the word graduate, especially in the UK, as in postgraduate student or postgraduate studies.

Postgraduate should not be confused with postdoctoral , which refers to studies, research, or professional work above the level of a doctorate.

How to use undergraduate vs. graduate

The best way to sort out the different meanings of undergraduate and graduate is to determine whether each word is being used as a noun, an adjective, or a verb. Here’s an easy breakdown of the differences.

• undergraduate (noun): A college student pursuing a non-advanced degree, most commonly a bachelor’s degree. Can be shortened to undergrad.
• undergraduate (adjective): Used in the context of colleges and university programs ( undergraduate programs ) where students are pursuing a degree (generally referred to as an undergraduate degree ) that is not an advanced degree. Also sometimes shortened to undergrad.
• graduate (noun): A person who has completed a particular level of schooling or educational program. Can be shortened to grad.
• graduate (verb): To complete a level of schooling (and, typically, to receive a degree or diploma). You can graduate from kindergarten, high school, college, graduate school, medical school, etc.
• graduate (adjective): Used in the context of advanced schooling—a level beyond a bachelor’s degree, most commonly a master’s program. Used in terms like graduate student , graduate school , graduate degree , graduate program , graduate courses , etc. Often shortened to grad.

Examples of undergraduate, undergrad, graduate, and grad used in a sentence

Let’s look at some examples of these words in actual, real-life use to get the meanings straight.

• As an undergraduate, she had studied engineering; as a graduate student, she switched to architecture.
• I completed my undergraduate degree after five years and a lot of hard work.
• As a graduate student, you will be expected to complete a thesis.
• You should start thinking about graduate school applications before you graduate.
• Most of the applicants for this position are recent college graduates.
• I’m still an undergrad, but I’m hoping to start grad school next fall.
• I’m a UGA grad, but I almost went to Georgia Tech.

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How to Prepare for a PhD as an Undergraduate

Last Updated: September 1, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Carrie Adkins, PhD . Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards. This article has been viewed 77,564 times.

Getting a PhD is highly rewarding and equally tasking. You should get to know as far in advance as possible that there is a good amount of prep work to do. That said, you can begin planning for your PhD as early as freshman or sophomore year of undergrad. Preparing for a PhD requires you to plan, work hard and study hard, and getting to know the people around you.

Choosing the Path You Want

• Don't approach any professor at random. Look at the department you’re interested in, review who is teaching what, what their specific area of study is, and then contact them. For example, if you’re interested in linguistics you would go to the linguistics department website and look under the faculty tab. Here you will find a bio for each professor that can help you choose one or two professors to talk to.
• If you send an email, start with “Dear Professor Smith,” then ask if you can meet to ask questions about pursuing a PhD in linguistics. Sign the email with a cordial closing like “sincerely" and your name.
• If you go to their office hours, show up when the hours begin, politely knock on the door (even if it’s already open), and introduce yourself. You can say something like, “Hello Professor Smith, I am John Public and I’m interested in getting a PhD in linguistics. I’d like to ask you a few questions about the process. Is this a good time for you?”
• Don’t try to talk at length with the professor after class. They likely have another class or something already scheduled. What you can do, however, is inquire about setting a meeting, and then follow up with an email about the details.

• A good way to meet a current grad student is to contact a professor and ask for a list of people who would be willing to meet up with you. Then you can email the student directly to ask if they would be free to meet up over lunch or a cup of coffee. During the meeting be sure to thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Most importantly, you need to come with a list of questions you have about grad school, and also be open to listen to any advice they have to give that isn’t on your question list.
• For example, you might ask “how much does grad school cost, and how do I pay for it?”, or inquire about what is required of them. You might also ask, “what are the best and worst things about grad school?” And also, “how do you handle the workload?”

• Make sure you also think about whether you want to get a PhD to work as an academic (i.e. a professor) or in the private sector. [2] X Research source Both paths can be rewarding, but the prep work can be wildly different. For example, an associate professor teaching psychology at a university will require a significant publication record, but going into private practice or working for the government requires much less.

Performing Well Academically

• Do you remember the semester you decided to take the extra class, suffered the loss of your childhood pet, or thought sleeping through geology was a good idea? The group of professors on the selection panel will understand one or two grade discrepancies on your transcript. After all, they were undergrads too. The panel will be less likely to overlook frequent or repeated bad grades and withdraws (classes marked by a W on your transcript), even if they are in non-major courses or general prerequisites.
• To work as hard as you can, do homework and study on a daily basis. When you don’t understand the material, go to your professor’s office hours with specific questions and examples of what you don’t get. Also, don’t be afraid to go to the tutoring center or hire a private tutor. This will provide detailed, first-hand help with the course material.

• General education classes are designed to provide a well-rounded, general education that gets you ready for more specific courses. These classes are required at the University level for all students to complete. For example, you’ll likely need to complete freshman level English classes, a few science courses, and perhaps writing classes.
• Major classes are more specific courses that the major or department requires. If you’re a language major, you’re likely required to take a general linguistics class, several survey courses in literature and culture, and depending on the state you go to school in, you’ll have to pass a language-specific written and oral test. These requirements are put in place to make sure that you will be ready to take graduate-level courses and perform well.
• Many universities also offer cross-listed classes, which are courses open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Take a few of these to get an idea of the work you’ll be doing. This is also a great way to meet grad students and make your introduction.

• There are several ways to prepare for the GRE or other important entrance exams. The most obvious but often overlooked is to work hard throughout your undergrad education. This means study early for each class and study often.
• Many people find it helpful to buy test preparation materials to study for the exam. For example, you can purchase GRE prep manuals from Kaplan, ETS, or The Princeton Review. You can usually find online or in-print materials available. Often the materials can be used in conjunction with a class that is meant to prepare you for the exam. These same companies also likely have courses available.
• If you’re looking to seal the deal, try hiring a tutor who is trained in test preparation. There are several national companies like Wyzant, Varsity Tutors, and Sylvan who have tutors trained in this area. It’s also likely that there are many local companies who offer the same services. Finally, check with your college or university’s student services center, as they may have several on-campus options.

• You need to ask the right person. Ask a full-time faculty member who is an assistant, associate, or full professor. Many times the person teaching your introduction course, the principles of economics class, or the first 4 or 5 semesters of most language courses is a graduate teaching assistant, and their letter will not carry as much weight as would that of a faculty member. Ask for letters of recommendation usually toward the end off your junior year, when you’re filling out the applications.
• Give the person at least three weeks to write the letter if possible. Professors usually have to teach, perform research, grade, serve on multiple committees, advise students, and go to department meetings, so providing sufficient time is best. However, if an important grant or new opening at a PhD program comes up and you’re in good standing with your psycholinguistics professor, go ahead and ask politely for a letter of recommendation. The worst thing they could say is no.

Gaining Experience

• Several options exist for learning a new language. One of them is to take classes in a language at the university you are already attending. You can also take courses at private language schools in your area, study with language learning software like Rosetta Stone or Fluenz, use a language learning app on your phone like Duolingo or Babbel, or hire a private language coach.
• Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to bolster your skills with practice. You can practice your language skills by watching movies, listening to music, joining a local club or society, and hiring a conversation partner.

• You can get research experience by applying for part-time positions in a laboratory, department, or a related job outside the university. For example, if you want to study cognitive development, you can apply to work in a psychology lab, a medical center that specializes in cognitive disorders, or even volunteer in the psychology department.
• Other opportunities include paid or unpaid internships, which can be found in a variety of places. For example, legal offices, court houses, large medical centers, museums, and many more places usually have many openings. Be careful though, these positions may fill fast, so be on the look out.

• There are a lot of ways to improve organizational skills. For example, focus on a few skills at a time, like improving time management. [5] X Research source You can also work on learning to set priorities, doing what’s more important first and saving less crucial tasks for later. [6] X Research source

Expert Q&A

• Hold out for a top choice, instead of settling for a program that doesn't meet your needs. If you don't get in one year, wait and try again. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You don't have to carry straight on from your undergraduate degree to postgraduate studies. Consider other alternatives, like take a year out to travel or spend some time in the work force. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Graduate school can be all about research. Once you've met the GPA requirements for your school, research credentials carry extra weight. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• It takes a lot of mental strength to cope up with the demands of graduate school, like the grueling pace, taking large amounts of well-intended criticism, or meeting pushy people. For that reason, every college and university has a student services center that provides counseling services, usually free for students, or already covered under most health insurances. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Getting a PhD is a huge time commitment. Make sure you’re committed and passionate. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
• Make sure you are certain a PhD is for you. It may sound like fun and being able to put Dr in front of your name may sound great, but this time-consuming process may be too expensive. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.academics.com/prepare-for-a-phd
• ↑ http://blogs.plos.org/thestudentblog/2014/04/22/faqs-about-non-academic-jobs-jane-hu/
• ↑ http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/The-Advantages-of-Being-Bilingual/
• ↑ https://www.postgrad.com/advice/phd/how_to_prepare/top-tips/
• ↑ http://www.briantracy.com/blog/time-management/mastering-time-management-and-organizational-skills-to-increase-productivity/
• ↑ http://www.mtdtraining.com/blog/how-to-improve-organisational-skills-to-reduce-stress.htm

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If you’re nearing the end of college or you’ve completed college, you’ve probably heard the term “graduate school” thrown around by your peers and teachers. In fact, you’ve probably heard all kinds of graduate-school related terms, like “graduate degree,” “Masters,” “PhD,” and more.

But what is a graduate degree? What is a PhD? What is a doctoral degree? What’s a doctorate? We’ll demystify it all here. (Hint: those last three are all the same thing.)

In this article, we’ll discuss what graduate school is, what graduate degrees you can get, and the difference between graduate and professional school. Then we’ll move on to discussing the benefits and drawbacks of graduate school, funding graduate programs, and how to apply to grad school.

What Is Graduate School?

What is grad school? Well, it’s not so much a specific “school” as a catchall term for some types of academic programs.  Graduate degree programs offer advanced training (beyond a bachelor’s degree) in a specific academic discipline. They very much focus on advancing your subject-specific academic knowledge as opposed to preparing you for a specific career or job. Graduate degree programs often include opportunities to complete original research in the field.

There are a few different types of graduate degrees. We’ll review them in the next section.

What Is a Graduate Degree? The 3 Main Types

There are, generally speaking, three kinds of graduate degrees offered by graduate schools: the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MA and MS offer additional schooling in a discipline beyond a bachelor’s degree. A PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic field. (Note that this is not true of professional fields—we will discuss the difference in the next section.)

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Master of Arts (MA)

What is a Master’s Degree? The Master of Arts is the typical Master’s graduate program for humanities and social science disciplines. They can be fairly general—for example, an MA in Communication or Anthropology, or even Humanities. They can also be highly specialized, like an MA in Folklore or an MA in History of the Book (a real degree!).

Some MA degrees lead specifically to a PhD, while others stand on their own. There are graduate programs designed for those with no prior academic exposure to a field, while others provide further training to those who studied the discipline (or a closely related one) as undergraduates. Some offer original research opportunities, while others focus more on instruction.

Depending on the specific discipline and program, an MA degree generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. Select fields or disciplines may offer a 3-year Master of Arts.

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science is the typical Master’s graduate program for scientific and quantitative disciplines. Like the MA, the MS can be fairly general in its focus, like an MS in Biology or Computer Science. They can also be incredibly specialized, like an MS in Predictive Analytics or Agricultural Economics.

Also like the MA, some are designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in the discipline. Others are designed for those trying to get exposure to a new field. Some more closely focus on the student completing original research, while others focus more on delivering in-depth instruction.

An MS degree also generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. In some select fields/programs, it may take 3 years.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What is a PhD? PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic discipline. It’s also known as a doctorate or a doctoral degree.

As the most advanced degree in an academic field, it’s considered a terminal degree. The Doctor of Philosophy prepares students to do academic work in their discipline —research and teaching—and for positions at universities and research institutions.

PhD programs generally expect students to have some preexisting academic training in the discipline or a related field, usually from the student’s undergraduate degree. Most PhDs will not expect incoming students to have Master’s degrees, although some might. However, students with an MA or MS in the discipline might be able to complete the PhD more quickly because they may not need to complete as much coursework.

Furthermore, most PhD programs do expect applicants to have some form of previous research experience and preferably some academic publishing credits. They may not require the student to have the experience and publishing credits in the same discipline as the PhD, but almost all PhD programs will expect some amount of previous research and academic publication experience.

The structure of a PhD typically involves some amount of preliminary coursework, followed by a written and oral exam in the discipline. Then students will begin research and work on their PhD dissertation, an original research project. Throughout this time, students generally teach and/or work as research assistants to make money.

How many years is a doctorate degree? A PhD can take anywhere from three years (if you have a master’s degree and write extremely fast!) to eight years (if you have a lot of coursework to complete and a particularly obscure dissertation topic). But the time it usually takes to complete a PhD is in the 4-6 year range.

Graduate vs. Professional School

You may notice a huge number of degrees you could pursue after your undergraduate degree missing from the list of degrees above—like the MD, the MBA, the MPH, the MFA, the JD, the MEd, and many others.

This is because those degrees are professional degrees.

So what’s the difference between a graduate degree and a professional degree? A graduate degree provides advanced training in an academic discipline. A professional degree provides advanced training for a specific profession. For example, a JD trains you to become a lawyer. An MD trains you to become a doctor. So while a graduate degree focuses on an academic discipline or area of inquiry, a professional degree focuses on professional training.

We should be clear that these are not hard-and-fast distinctions. The line between what is a graduate program and what is a professional program is not always crystal-clear. Many institutions will refer to some (or all) of their advanced degrees as graduate degrees, without distinguishing between graduate and professional schools.

Additionally, professional degrees can lead to academia, and graduate degrees can lead to professional careers. For example, an MFA can prepare students both for academic teaching and inquiry and for professional careers as artists. While an MPH trains you to work as a public health professional, many MPHs go on to work for research institutions or receive PhDs and go into academia. Many professional schools offer MS or MA degrees (for example, a business school may offer an MS in Business Informatics). Additionally, some graduate schools offer MA or MS degrees that primarily focus on building professional skills and contacts.

Gray areas aside, the general distinction is that professional degrees focus on building career and professional skills, while graduate degrees focus on building your knowledge in a particular discipline and your skill in academic inquiry.

5 Top Benefits of Graduate School

Now that we’ve answered the question, “what is graduate school,” you may find yourself wondering: Is grad school worth it? Should I go to graduate school?

Here are five potential benefits to graduate school:

Preparation to Work in Academia

A major reason to go to graduate school—particularly to earn a PhD—is to position yourself to work in academia. If you want to be a professor at a university, you will need a PhD. For lecturer or researcher positions at small or community colleges, an MA or MS may be sufficient.

But in general, if you want to teach at a college level and work on research in a given discipline, a graduate degree of some kind is pretty much necessary.

Higher Earning Potential and Expanded Job Prospects (Sometimes)

A graduate degree will often increase your earning potential. More relevant training typically means more pay in that field. You’ll also be eligible for more jobs, like more senior research positions.

However, you shouldn’t assume that a graduate degree will always expand your job prospects and increase your pay. An MA in Middle English may not really lead to much of anything except increased debt, simply because there’s just not a high demand for people with MAs in Middle English. So, that training isn’t likely to be considered valuable enough for you to earn more or be a more attractive job applicant.

Be sure to do some research into the discipline you are interested in so that you have a realistic idea of how it will expand your job prospects and pay, if at all.

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Pivoting Your Skills

Say your undergraduate degree was in English Literature, but now you want to be a sociologist. Getting a master’s degree is a great way to get training in a new discipline you haven’t had much exposure to. Armed with your shiny new master’s degree and associated skills, you’ll be able to work in a field that was previously closed to you.

Get Published

If you need to develop research skills and publish some academic papers, getting an MA or MS can be a good move. This is particularly true if you want to pursue a PhD and need to beef up   your research experience and publication credits. Getting a master’s in a discipline related to your prospective PhD can be a huge help here. It will also help you build contacts to serve as recommendations.

Strengthen an Application to Professional School

In a similar vein, you may want to get an MA or MS to strengthen an application to professional school. Any research and publication credits you amass there, as well as a strong GPA or good recommendations, will help you stand out.

For example, maybe your heart is set on being a doctor but your undergraduate grades aren’t quite at the level you’d like, or you simply want to stand out more. Really excelling in an MS program can boost your application.

2 Potential Drawbacks to Graduate School

We’ve listed the benefits—but don’t put in your application yet. There are also some potential drawbacks to graduate school to consider. We’ll list two of the most major drawbacks here.

Considerable Expenses

Graduate degrees are expensive! Tuition and fees can easily run past $20,000 a semester at a private university, not to mention living expenses. You may have to take out pretty massive loans to cover all of this, so it’s important that you carefully consider how graduate school will increase your earning potential or job prospects. In more esoteric fields, the expense may not ever pay off in realized earnings. This shouldn’t necessarily dissuade you from pursuing a graduate degree but it is something to be aware of.

However, some programs will cover all or most of your tuition. You’ll also most likely be able to work part-time while completing graduate work, which will help offset expenses. For most PhD candidates, and some masters students, part-time work as teaching staff or research assistants is built into the program.

If you’re completing a part-time master’s degree, you can also maintain a full-time job while you complete the coursework.

Finally, keep in mind that the expense of tuition isn’t the only cost—while you’re in graduate school, you could be making a full salary employed in the workforce. In some cases, your PhD might lead to a higher salary, but it’ll take multiple years for you to recover the full salaries that you lost out on while you were in school.

Poor Job Prospects

There are some graduate disciplines that simply don’t lead to many job opportunities. For example, there are far more philosophy PhD graduates than tenure-track positions in university philosophy departments. In fact, academia in general is hyper-competitive, so unless you are attending a top program, getting an academic job at the end may be almost ludicrously difficult.

Especially if you are paying for the graduate degree yourself, if there isn’t much in the way of job offers at the end, the degree may be a poor investment. This is something to research before committing to the course.

Funding: How to Pay for Graduate School

Finding graduate school funding can be difficult. There are, in general, a lot more people who want to go to school than there is money available to fund them. Funding in the forms of grants, fellowships, and scholarships for master’s programs in particular tends to be incredibly competitive. There are few fellowships and scholarships available at this level, though there is more funding available for students in high-demand STEM fields like engineering and computer science.

On the flip side, it’s more likely that you’ll receive partial or full funding for PhD work. But PhD programs are far, far more competitive for admission than master’s programs.

Sometimes you can be admitted to a PhD program without any funding. (This is called a self-funded PhD.) This is not likely to pay off in the long run unless you have some fairly sizable independent income or savings, as you will almost certainly rack up debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The return-on-investment in this case may not be very high, especially given how competitive it is to get a tenure-track position.

Funding for a given program is likely to be some combination of loans, grants and fellowships, and research or teaching positions. Even if you are a fully funded PhD student, you won’t receive a whole lot of money—generally just enough to cover expenses.

In general, people don’t go to graduate school to make the big bucks, but because they have a very intense passion for the discipline.

Applying to Graduate School: How to Get Into Grad School

If you’ve decided to apply to graduate school, what do you need to be a successful candidate? This will of course vary from program to program, but you’ll need a few general qualifications.

Good GRE Score

You’ll need a GRE score that’s reasonably competitive for the programs you’re interested in. (See more on what’s a good GRE score here ). This will usually involve a high score in the more relevant section of the GRE. So for a math or science graduate degree, you’ll need a high Quant score. For a humanities or social sciences degree, you’ll need a high Verbal score.

Relevant Experience and/or Publication Credits

You’ll need to have the requisite relevant experience for admission. For master’s programs, this can take the shape of some kind of work experience, undergraduate experience, research experience, and/or publication credits. However, for PhD programs, you’ll almost certainly need research experience and academic publication credits to be a competitive applicant. The experience and publications won’t necessarily have to be directly within the discipline you are applying in, but you will need them to show that you have academic chops.

Strong Undergraduate Record

A strong undergraduate record makes for a stronger application. Barring that, solid work or research experience and/or strong grades in another master’s or professional degree can also help you get admitted to the program(s) of your choice.

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Good Recommendations

Highly positive recommendations, especially from notable people within the field, can provide a real boost to your application. You want recommenders who can speak to your interest in the field as well as your suitability for academic work. If you’re an undergraduate at the time of application, professors you’ve worked with are the best option. If you’re a recent graduate, a combination of professional and academic recommendations will probably best capture your skills. And if you have been out of school for some time, your recommendations may be primarily professional, which is fine.

Clear Articulation of Your Interests and Goals

It’s also important that your application clearly communicates why you’re interested in further training in the discipline and what you plan to do with that training. If you can articulate a real passion for the field and clear goals, and you can connect those things to elements of the specific program you are applying to, your application will be much stronger.

Summary: What Is Graduate School?

“Graduate school” is a catchall term for academic programs that provide training in a specific academic discipline or field beyond the undergraduate level.

There are three primary kinds of graduate degrees:

• Master of arts degrees typically provide further training in the humanities and social sciences.
• Master of science degrees usually provide further training in the sciences and quantitative fields.
• PhDs, or doctorates in philosophy, provide the most advanced training available in a given academic discipline. PhDs prepare you to work in academia.

Graduate school is different from professional school. Professional school describes academic programs beyond an undergraduate degree that train you to work in a specific professional field. For example, lawyers get JDs, and doctors get MDs. There are some gray areas between graduate and professional school, but the general distinction is that graduate school furthers your knowledge of an academic field and professional school trains you for a specific career or class of careers.

Here are some of the main benefits of graduate school:

• Graduate degrees are necessary for work in academia.
• Some fields may give you higher earning potential and expanded job prospects.
• You can gain skills in a new area or discipline than your undergraduate degree.
• Graduate school can help you get research experience and publication credits.
• A graduate degree can help you strengthen your application to professional school.

Here are some of the main drawbacks to graduate school:

• Graduate school is expensive!
• Some graduate degrees won’t give you expanded job prospects or a better salary, making them a poor investment.

It can be difficult to get funding for graduate school. You are more likely to get funding for a PhD than a master’s degree, but PhDs are also more competitive. Overall, most people don’t go to graduate school specifically because they are looking for a very lucrative career.

 If you want to go to graduate school, here’s how to make yourself a strong applicant:

• Get a good GRE score
• Have relevant experience and/or publication credits
• Have a strong undergraduate record
• Secure glowing recommendations
• Clearly articulate your interests and goals in the discipline

That’s our overview of graduate school, folks!

What’s Next?

What GRE score do you need for graduate school? Check out our expert analysis of average GRE scores by school and average GRE scores by major . Or maybe you don’t need to take the GRE to get into grad school at all!

If you are taking the GRE, you want to maximize your chances of success. So consider when to take the GRE  and how to make a GRE study plan .

Think you may need to retake the GRE ? Here’s a surefire way improve your GRE scores .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

• Difference Between Undergraduate and Postgraduate Study
• Types of Doctorates

When you start a postgraduate degree, it’s essential for both your productivity and your self-confidence not to feel overwhelmed right from the start. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just finished your Bachelor’s degree or if you’ve been working for several years before making your return to higher education. You’ve already survived your undergraduate degree; and the transition to postgraduate level is not as difficult as you might think. There are several differences between undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with the key being the intensity, specialisation and independence they offer. We’ll first delve into the undergraduate and postgraduate meaning, and then delve deeper into each key difference.

What Is an Undergraduate Degree?

In the United Kingdom, an undergraduate degree is an academic level higher than the A-Levels obtained in high school. Undergraduate courses are ‘first-cycle’ programmes designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to start a career in their chosen field.

In terms of undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor’s degree is by far the most popular qualification amongst university students. However, there are many types of Bachelor degrees available, the most popular of which are:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA),
• Bachelor of Science (BSc),
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng),
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

What Is a Postgraduate Degree?

Postgraduate study is an academic step above undergraduate level and aims to provide advanced knowledge within a specific field of study.

Postgraduate degrees are typically obtained after a bachelors degree (or in some university programmes, the two degrees are essentially rolled into one) and are therefore considered ‘second-cycle’ degrees in comparison.

While a Master’s degree is the most common postgraduate qualification that students will receive, the term ‘postgraduate’ also includes doctorate qualifications, the highest type of degree offered by UK universities.

Common postgraduate degrees include:

• Master of Science (MSc),
• Master of Engineering (Meng),
• Master of Business Administration (MBA),
• Master of Research (MRes),
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil),
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD),
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD).

Key Differences between Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes

Level of specialisation.

An undergraduate degree offers a broad overview of a subject. The aim is to provide you with the basic skills, knowledge and experience you need to start a successful career in your chosen field.

On the other hand, postgraduate courses will delve into the topics of a Bachelor’s degree in much greater detail and often cover more complex topics.

Where an undergraduate course is designed to develop you into a well-rounded individual within your chosen industry, a postgraduate course will turn you into a specialist for a specific career path. For example, a Bachelor’s in Engineering will help you understand engineering principles in a broad and general context. The Master’s equivalent will give you an understanding of how these principles can be applied to real-life problems.

Postgraduate studies will also place greater emphasis on acquiring research skills, as much of their learning will be focused on research-based topics. This is useful for students who are thinking about doing an advanced postgraduate research degree such as MPhil, PhD, or EngD later on.

Course Duration

The duration of a bachelor’s degree depends on the specific subject you want to enrol in, but they usually take between three and four years.

Master’s programmes are shorter, with an average length of one year. However, the learning material will be more complex and will require more intense focus. So, don’t mistake the shorter duration to imply that a Master’s is easier than a Bachelor’s, as this is not usually the case.

Since MPhils, PhDs and EngDs are advanced forms of postgraduate degrees, they take over a year to complete. An MPhil usually takes two years, and both a PhD and an EngD take between three and five years or longer for part-time study!

Learning Experience

Undergraduate courses typically contain many students and so are less individualised than postgraduate courses. Students who come from small schools will often find it difficult to adapt to the less personal teaching style and will feel more comfortable in postgraduate classes.

Postgraduate courses also contain fewer teaching modules. Although this means less time in the classroom, as a postgraduate student you will be expected to do a lot of self-learning and personal reading in your own time.

When lectures take place, your professors will still present new concepts and explain key ideas, but more emphasis will be placed on independent learning. Unlike your bachelor’s degree, the lectures and discussions that take place during your postgraduate taught course will be more of an open forum where you and other students discuss and reflect on the material.

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

Interaction with Teaching Staff

One of the main advantages of Master’s programmes is that the smaller class sizes allow you to build a greater relationship with your lecturers. It’s not uncommon, for example, for a lecturer to recommend a particular event or seminar to a postgrad student who they think may have some interest in it. This rarely happens in undergraduate studies because the style ‘they lecture, you listen’ does not allow you and your teachers to get to know each other. Moreover, postgraduate courses allow for a lot of interaction and discussion, which encourages close connections.

Assessment Methods

A Bachelor’s degree is typically assessed through a mix of coursework, laboratory work and year-end exams. Because their programmes are broad, the year-end exams are challenging, as you typically have numerous exams which cover a wide range of different topics.

Postgraduate courses rely less on exams and more on assessed coursework. Students are expected to write lengthy papers with detailed analysis of complex topics. In addition, a typical Master’s programme also requires the production of a 15,000 to 30,000 word dissertation. A doctoral degree extends on this, requiring a thesis of around 60,000 words , although some have been known to break the 100,000 mark!

Entry Requirements

In order to be eligible for a Bachelor’s programme, most students must have completed a form of further education, such as A-levels or BTECs, in relevant subjects.

To register for a Masters programme, you will need a Bachelor’s degree, typically with at least a 2:2.

If you are applying for a doctorate, most universities will require a Bachelor’s degree with at least a 2:1. A Master’s degree, such as an MEng, MRes or MSc, will improve your chances but is not usually required, although may be necessary if you have a 2:2 Bachelor’s degree or lower.

On average, postgraduate courses will have higher annual tuition fees than undergraduate courses.

Most undergraduate studies are financed with a student loan from Student Finance England (SFE). Although scholarships and bursaries can be applied for, there aren’t many available for undergraduate students, and when they are, they are usually for students who need support, e.g. from low-income households.

There are many more funding options available to postgraduate students. They can apply for a postgraduate loan , a scholarship or qualify for an alumni discount if attending the same university they undertook their undergraduate study with. Unlike undergraduate scholarships, postgraduate scholarships are generally not means-tested, i.e. they are open to almost anyone.

Furthermore, doctoral students can apply for PhD positions that are partially or fully funded . This means they can complete an advanced postgraduate course and have the entire tuition fee paid for, plus an additional annual payment (known as a stipend) which serves as a salary.

Employment Opportunities

There are many career opportunities for those with only a Bachelor’s degree. In fact, the vast majority of jobs that can be filled with a Master’s degree can also be filled with a Bachelor’s degree. However, there are several advanced roles within professions such as computer science, medicine and engineering, etc. that require a postgraduate degree. These will be roles that require sophisticated analysis or independent research to be performed as part of their responsibilities.

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What are the main differences between undergraduate, master's, and doctoral theses?

When I did my undergraduate thesis, my adviser was expected big on students expecting them working really hard, so it ended up as a reduced master's thesis (most of the reviewers said that it was an overkill for a B.E).

So because of this, I did my master's thesis pretty much in the same way I did my bachelor's thesis; the PhD dissertation was a different story.

What are the principal differences between these three pieces of research?

• research-process

• Leon: I've removed the second question, "- What are the mistakes students coming from a master or undergraduate may do when preparing this publication just as an extended part of their previous research?" This really should be asked as a separate question. –  aeismail Commented Jul 3, 2014 at 21:49

2 Answers 2

In a Bachelor or Master thesis, you have to show that you are able to apply the knowledge of your field to solve a typical problem in your field.

In a PhD thesis, you have to show that you are able to extend the knowledge of your field to solve new problems.

The distinction between a Bachelor and a Master thesis may be a bit subtle. Generally I think a Master thesis should show a significantly greater level of independent working. While for a Bachelor thesis your advisor could tell you which methods to use to solve a specific problem, for a Master thesis you could be expected to choose the methods on your own, and maybe adjust existing methods to better fit the problem at hand.

These are the principle differences I see, but of course its also depending on the specific student. A good Bachelor thesis can be better and include more independent work than a bad Master thesis.

I would see the differences as follows:

Undergraduate thesis demonstrates the capacity to apply basic research skills in an area of interest to you. At this level, the focus is on gaining broad competencies (akin to an overview of what research is all about).

Masters thesis demonstrates the capacity to apply advanced research skills (i.e. move beyond basic research skills) in an area of interest to you so that you are able to incorporate some critical insights in your study. At this level, the focus is on developing critical thinking in a subject area.

PhD thesis demonstrates the capacity to apply specialised research skills (i.e. expert knowledge of a particular concept or method) in an area of interest to you so that you can make significant and original contribution to knowledge. At this level, the focus is on identifying a 'gap' in knowledge and addressing it, hence you advance knowledge in a field of study.

These are are arbitrary descriptions as there are overlaps (i.e. all levels require critical thinking); however, the three levels are distinct and require difference level of competencies.

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Preparing for a PhD in Economics

The minimum requirements of the Economics undergraduate major are not designed to be training for doctoral economics programs. Students who plan to continue their education should take more quantitative courses than the minimum required for the major. Preparation should start early in your undergraduate education. In addition to the information below, we recommend visiting the Career Center and the Career Library for additional graduate school planning resources.

Students who plan on going on to graduate school should participate in research as an undergraduate, and plan on writing an honors thesis during their senior year. NOTE: For students who completed P/NP courses in 2020-2021, we recommend reviewing this statement from the Council of Deans which reaffirms UC Berkeley's Graduate Division committment to a holistic review.

Course recommendations

• Math 53 and Math 54 (multivariable calculus and linear algebra)
• Economics 101A-B, the quantitative theory sequence
• Economics 141, the more quantitative econometrics course
• Additional math and statistics courses (linear algebra, real analysis, probability, etc.)
• Additional economics courses that emphasize theory and quantitative methods, such as Economics 103, 104, and 142.

Upper-division math and statistics courses for those who are adequately prepared (in order of importance)

• Math 110, Linear Algebra
• Math 104, Introduction to Analysis
• Stat 134, Concepts of Probability
• Stat 150, Stochastic Processes
• Math 105, Second Course of Analysis
• Math 170, Mathematical Methods of Optimization
• Stat 102/Stat 135, Linear modeling Theory and Applications
• Stat 151A, Statistical Inference
• Math 185, Introduction to Complex Analysis

Graduate math and statistics courses for those who are adequately prepared (in order of importance)

• Math 202A/202B, Introduction to Topology
• Stat 200A/200B,Introduciton to Probability and Statistics at an Advanced Level; graduate version of 101/102 sequence, not much more difficult, but harder than 134/135
• Stat 205A/205B,Probability Theory; graduate probability, much higher level than 200A/200B

Please note: This is just a recommendation; not all courses are required. Admissions requirements vary by university and by program. Students interested in pursuing graduate school should begin gathering information from prospective programs as early as possible.

Post-Baccalaureate Research Opportunities

Pursuing research after completing an undegraduate degree is a great option for students who would like to gain more experience prior to graduate school. Post-baccalaureate research opportunities can be found through the  National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)  and PREDOC: Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers . For research opportunities outside of the NBER,  click here  and  follow @econ_ra  on Twitter.

Graduate School Preparation Additional Resources

http://www.aeaweb.org/resources/students/grad-prep/considerations/  (Considerations for prospective graduate students in Economics)

https://www.aeaweb.org/resources/students/schools/  (Alphabetical list of U.S Graduate Programs in Economics)

https://www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/committees/cswep/programs/resources/events2  (Conferences, events and fellowships through the American Economic Association)

https://www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/committees/aeasp (American Economic Association Summer Training Program, AEASP)

PhD Student vs Graduate Student [Correct terminologies]

As you progress down the academic pathway it can become confusing to work out what the appropriate terminology is for your current level of education. Is it PhD student? Is it graduate student? Is the PhD student the same as a graduate? Well, this article will answer all your questions.

Graduate student is an umbrella term for someone with an undergraduate qualification (bachelors, diploma), they are often performing graduate research in a Masters or PhD program. All PhD students are graduate students but not all graduate students are PhD students.

To fully get our heads around each of these definitions, we need to understand exactly what each term really means.

This is where we can look at the actual definitions of PhD student vs graduate student.

Definition of PhD student

A PhD student is someone who is currently enrolled in a doctorate degree program and is in the early stages of their course.

Some institutions require students to undergo a coursework component of their graduate program and are called a PhD student .

After the completion of the coursework component, with the research component still to go, they can be called a PhD candidate .

Definition of Graduate student

A graduate student is a known for a student who continues their studies after completion of their undergraduate degree.

The Cambridge dictionary defines it as:

A student who is studying for a degree that is higher than the one received after four years of study at a college or university.

Who is considered a graduate student?

Graduate students can include:

• Masters students
• PhD students
• Professional Masters
• Graduate academic certificate programs
• undergraduate/graduate hybrid degree programs

Even if you have got an undergraduate degree, there are many more options for you to obtain many more qualifications and build on your education. In these instances, you will be known as a graduate student.

Is a PhD student a graduate student?

Yes, a PhD student is a graduate student.

They have spent up to 4 years in their undergraduate programs in order to qualify for admission into a PhD program.

PhD students are able to call themselves graduate students but many choose to refer to themselves as PhD students or candidates.

Is PhD the same as graduate?

A PhD is the highest education attainable as a graduate.

In order to obtain a PhD one must graduate from an undergraduate degree. From the moment of graduating in their undergraduate degree they are known as a graduate.

The order of becoming a PhD from a graduate is shown in the table below. It also includes what happens after you get a PhD.

Is a doctoral student the same as a PhD student?

Strictly speaking, a PhD student is someone who is pursuing a doctor of philosophy.

A PhD student is a type of doctoral student but not all doctoral students are PhD students. Anyone aiming to achieve the title of ‘Dr’ is a doctoral student.

There are many other different types of doctoral students including:

• Doctor of Arts (DA)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Design (DDes)
• Doctor of Engineering or Engineering Science (DEng, DESc, DES)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA.)
• Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD, SJD)
• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
• Doctor of Music Education (DME)
• Doctor of Modern Languages (DML)
• Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Public Health (DPH)
• Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)
• Doctor of Science (DSc, ScD)
• Doctor of Theology (ThD)

There are also professional degrees that lead to the person being called Doctor. These professional degrees result in honorific doctor titles, including those found in the table below.

In my 15 years in academia, I would only really refer to someone as a PhD student. However, if someone was to introduce themselves as a doctoral student I would understand them to be a PhD student.

Wrapping up

In this article, we have learned the difference between PhD student vs graduate student.

In summary, a graduate student is an umbrella term that includes anyone that has done an undergraduate qualification and is continuing their education. It includes Masters students, PhD students and others.

All PhD students are graduate students but not all graduate students are PhD students.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Doctoral Degrees

A doctoral degree requires the satisfactory completion of an approved program of advanced study and original research of high quality..

Please note that the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Science (ScD) degrees are awarded interchangeably by all departments in the School of Engineering and the School of Science, except in the fields of biology, cognitive science, neuroscience, medical engineering, and medical physics. This means that, excepting the departments outlined above, the coursework and expectations to earn a Doctor of Philosophy and for a Doctor of Science degree from these schools are generally the same. Doctoral students may choose which degree they wish to complete.

Applicants interested in graduate education should apply to the department or graduate program conducting research in the area of interest. Some departments require a doctoral candidate to take a “minor” program outside of the student’s principal field of study; if you wish to apply to one of these departments, please consider additional fields you may like to pursue.

Below is a list of programs and departments that offer doctoral-level degrees.

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• Knowledge Base
• 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.

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.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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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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• PhD/Master's Application Process

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

If you have completed your undergraduate degree (bachelor's or equivalent) or will have completed it prior to your intended matriculation date at Yale, you may apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).

A Master's degree is not required to apply for a PhD at Yale, although some programs give preference to applicants with post-baccalaureate training. Consult your program of interest directly for information on how it evaluates applications.

We value diversity of all kinds at the Graduate School, and we encourage students from all backgrounds to apply if Yale is a good fit for your intellectual and professional goals. All are welcome to apply, without regard to citizenship or immigration status, socioeconomic level, race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, disability, etc.

Requirements for All PhD and Master's Degree Applicants

You will need to provide the following with your application for admission:

• A statement of academic purpose. You will find the prompt for the statement of purpose in our Application Question FAQs . 
• A list of all the prior colleges or universities you have attended, accompanied by unofficial transcripts from each school. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with your application. Official or paper transcripts are not needed at this time. 
• Three letters of recommendation. Enter the names of your recommenders directly in the application and they will receive a link to upload a letter on your behalf. 
• $105 application fee or fee waiver. 
• Standardized tests . GRE requirements vary by program. TOEFL or IELTS are necessary for most non-native English speakers. 
• Resume/CV . 
• Some programs have additional requirements, such as a writing sample . You can find information about any specific requirements on the program's website. 

Where Do I Begin?

Decide whether you will apply for a PhD or a terminal Master’s (MA, MS) in one of the programs available at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . (Note that you will earn one or more Master's degrees en route to a PhD.) Learn about the program: its faculty, course offerings, and resources. Read the faculty's research publications. If you can identify and articulate why the program is a good fit for you and show how your preparation and interests align well with it, you will have a strong application.

A note to students applying to one of Yale’s professional schools or programs:

• If you are applying for a PhD in Architecture, Environment, Investigative Medicine, Law, Management, Music, Nursing, or Public Health; for an MS in Public Health; or for an MA in Music, be sure to use the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences PhD/Master's application.
• If you are applying for any other degree at one of the University’s professional schools (Art, Architecture, Divinity, Drama, Environment, Global Affairs, Law, Management, Medicine, Music, Nursing, and Public Health), visit that school’s website for further instructions. Those programs have separate admissions policies and processes that are administered by the professional schools, not GSAS.

Application deadlines vary by program, so please see Dates & Deadlines for information about your program of interest. 

All new students matriculate in the fall. The admissions process begins nearly a year in advance of matriculation.

Some PhD and Master’s degree programs require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Check your program's standardized testing requirement before you apply. 

In addition, applicants whose native language is not English may need to take an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS).

The application for Fall 2025 entry is now available. 

Be sure to complete and submit the application before your program's application deadline. 

Your application fee or an approved fee waiver is due upon submission of your application. 

Your letters of recommendation do not need to be received before you will be able to submit your application. However, since programs begin reviewing applications shortly after the respective application deadline, please be sure that your letters of recommendation are submitted promptly.

What Happens After I Submit My Application?

The faculty admissions committee in each department and program begins reviewing applications shortly after their application deadline. Led by the director of graduate studies (DGS) or director of graduate admissions (DGA), the committee will recommend students for admission to the Graduate School. Once confirmed by the deans of the Graduate School, the admissions office will release final decisions to applicants.

Unlike undergraduate admissions, the admissions office and staff of the Graduate School maintain the application, the application process, and other administrative transactions, but the admissions staff does not review applications or make admissions decisions. That responsibility is handled by the faculty of each department or program.

Most admissions decisions are provided between February and early March. You will receive an email notification when your admissions decision is available.

If you are accepted for admission, you will need to decide if you wish to accept our offer by April 15. We abide by Council of Graduate School's April 15 Resolution , regarding graduate financial support. 

Ready to apply? Begin your application today.

PhD/Master's Applicants

• Why Choose Yale Graduate School?
• Dates and Deadlines
• Standardized Testing Requirements

Non-Degree Program Applicants

Looking for non-degree programs? In some cases, it is possible to enroll at the Graduate School as a non-degree student. Non-degree students receive a transcript and many of the benefits of being a Yale student, but do not earn a degree upon completion of their enrollment. We offer three types of non-degree programs.

• Non-Degree Programs

--> » » Graduate PhD Program The Department of Mathematics offers a program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD program is an intensive course of study designed for the full-time student planning a career in research and teaching at the university level or in quantitative research and development in industry or government. Admission is limited and highly selective. Successful applicants have typically pursued an undergraduate major in mathematics. In the first year of PhD studies, students must pass written examinations in the areas of the basic . In the second year an oral examination on two selected topics must be passed. Subsequent years are devoted to seminars, research, and the preparation of a dissertation. Students are required to serve as a teaching assistant or instructor for four years beginning with the second year of study. All students must serve as a primary instructor for at least one semester; all others semesters students will serve as a teaching assistant. En route to the Ph.D., students will earn three degrees: a Master of Arts (after year one), a Master of Philosophy (after year four), and the Doctorate of Philosophy (after a successful thesis defense). There are also allied doctoral programs in , , and . The Mathematics Department is housed in a comfortable building containing an excellent , computing and printing facilities, faculty and graduate student offices, a lounge for tea and conversation, and numerous seminar and lecture rooms. The department has a broad fellowship program designed to help qualified students achieve the PhD degree in the shortest practicable time. Each student admitted to the PhD program is appointed a fellow in the Department of Mathematics for a period of five years, contingent on good progress. A fellow receives a stipend for the nine-month academic year and is exempt from payment of tuition. A fellow in the Department of Mathematics may hold a fellowship from a source outside Columbia University. When not prohibited by the terms of the outside fellowship, the University supplements the outside stipend to bring it up to the level of the University fellowship. Candidates for admission are urged to apply for fellowships for which they are eligible (e.g., National Science Foundation, Ford and Hertz Foundations). All students admitted to the PhD program become fellows in the Department and are exempt from tuition. Students may be responsible for certain : a student activity fee and transcript fee. Students in the PhD program are entitled to affordable University housing near the Department in Morningside Heights. This makes it possible to live comfortably in the University neighborhood on the fellowship stipend. The PhD program in mathematics has an enrollment of approximately 60 students. Typically, 10-12 students enter each year. While students come from all over the world, they form an intellectually cohesive and socially supportive group. New York City is America’s major center of culture. Columbia University’s remarkably pleasant and sheltered , near the Hudson River and Riverside Park, is situated within 20-30 minutes of Lincoln Center, Broadway theaters, Greenwich Village, and major museums. Most department members live within a short walk of the University. Since receiving its charter from King George II in 1754, Columbia University has played an eminent role in American education. In addition to its various faculties and professional schools (such as Engineering, Law, and Medicine), the University has close ties with nearby museums, schools of music and theology, the United Nations, and the city government. The application deadline is typically early December for admission the following September. Precise details on requirements and deadlines can be found . Applicants must submit all required documents by the posted deadline. Students whose undergraduate degree was not from an English-speaking country must also submit scores from the TOEFL or IELTS.  Applications must be filed .   : Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Columbia University Office of Student Affairs 107 Low Library, MC 4304 New York, NY 10027 212-854-6729 Michael Harris Director of Graduate Studies Department of Mathematics Columbia University 2990 Broadway 509 Mathematics, MC 4406 New York, NY 10027 Utility Menu Apply   |   Contact Us   |   Carol Davis Fund   Anonymous Feedback to the Physics Chair Graduate studies, commencement 2019. The Harvard Department of Physics offers students innovative educational and research opportunities with renowned faculty in state-of-the-art facilities, exploring fundamental problems involving physics at all scales. Our primary areas of experimental and theoretical research are atomic and molecular physics, astrophysics and cosmology, biophysics, chemical physics, computational physics, condensed-matter physics, materials science, mathematical physics, particle physics, quantum optics, quantum field theory, quantum information, string theory, and relativity. Our talented and hardworking students participate in exciting discoveries and cutting-edge inventions such as the ATLAS experiment, which discovered the Higgs boson; building the first 51-cubit quantum computer; measuring entanglement entropy; discovering new phases of matter; and peering into the ‘soft hair’ of black holes. Our students come from all over the world and from varied educational backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and attracting the widest possible range of talents. We have a flexible and highly responsive advising structure for our PhD students that shepherds them through every stage of their education, providing assistance and counseling along the way, helping resolve problems and academic impasses, and making sure that everyone has the most enriching experience possible.The graduate advising team also sponsors alumni talks, panels, and advice sessions to help students along their academic and career paths in physics and beyond, such as “Getting Started in Research,” “Applying to Fellowships,” “Preparing for Qualifying Exams,” “Securing a Post-Doc Position,” and other career events (both academic and industry-related). We offer many resources, services, and on-site facilities to the physics community, including our electronic instrument design lab and our fabrication machine shop. Our historic Jefferson Laboratory, the first physics laboratory of its kind in the nation and the heart of the physics department, has been redesigned and renovated to facilitate study and collaboration among our students. Members of the Harvard Physics community participate in initiatives that bring together scientists from institutions across the world and from different fields of inquiry. For example, the Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms unites a community of scientists from both institutions to pursue research in the new fields opened up by the creation of ultracold atoms and quantum gases. The Center for Integrated Quantum Materials , a collaboration between Harvard University, Howard University, MIT, and the Museum of Science, Boston, is dedicated to the study of extraordinary new quantum materials that hold promise for transforming signal processing and computation. The Harvard Materials Science and Engineering Center is home to an interdisciplinary group of physicists, chemists, and researchers from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences working on fundamental questions in materials science and applications such as soft robotics and 3D printing.  The Black Hole Initiative , the first center worldwide to focus on the study of black holes, is an interdisciplinary collaboration between principal investigators from the fields of astronomy, physics, mathematics, and philosophy. The quantitative biology initiative https://quantbio.harvard.edu/  aims to bring together physicists, biologists, engineers, and applied mathematicians to understand life itself. And, most recently, the new program in  Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE) , which lies at the interface of physics, chemistry, and engineering, will admit its first cohort of PhD students in Fall 2022. We support and encourage interdisciplinary research and simultaneous applications to two departments is permissible. Prospective students may thus wish to apply to the following departments and programs in addition to Physics: Department of Astronomy Department of Chemistry Department of Mathematics John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Biophysics Program Molecules, Cells and Organisms Program (MCO) If you are a prospective graduate student and have questions for us, or if you’re interested in visiting our department, please contact  [email protected] . GRADUATE STUDIES Admissions & Financial Aid Admissions FAQs Advising Team Advising Portal (Graduate) Course Requirements Other PhD Tracks Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences GSAS Student Council PhD Thesis Help Tax Information Education PhD The Berkeley School of Education (BSE) prepares leaders in education practice, policy, and research. BSE faculty members support a vision of public education that promotes equity and social justice by empowering practitioners to meet the highest standards of engagement and enrichment in classrooms, schools, communities, and districts. Through this commitment, the Berkeley School of Education supports cutting-edge research and positive social transformation in education. The faculty and students at the Berkeley School of Education develop projects and strategies in interdisciplinary scholarship and field studies that positively impact educational outcomes at the state, national, and international levels. The Berkeley School of Education offers Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master's of Arts (MA), and credential degree programs as well as an Education major and minor for undergraduate students. PhD and Master's Programs at the Berkeley School of Education Students collaborate in dynamic learning environment that develops expertise in areas including: Critical Studies of Race, Class, and Gender Learning Sciences and Human Development Policy, Politics, and Leadership Social Research Methodologies Leadership and Excellence in K-12 Students develop professional leadership skills and explore new opportunities in pedagogy, curricula, and policy. Innovations in teaching and leadership in the classroom prepare students for influential administrative roles - e.g. for principals, district and system-wide administrators, and policy influencers. Learn more about the Berkeley School of Education's Professional Programs . Additional Programs Graduate Group in Science and Mathematics Education (SESAME) SESAME is the Berkeley School of Education's interdisciplinary graduate program for students who seek advanced expertise in a scientific discipline. SESAME students earn a doctoral degree by researching the educational theories and research methodologies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Intersection of Sport and Education In the Intersection of Sport and Education program students research facets of institutionalized sports that complements and conflict with the educational missions of American secondary and post-secondary schools. School Psychology The Berkeley School of Education's School Psychology program brings together psychology professionals, teachers, and educational leaders to clarify and resolve problems regarding the educational and mental health needs of children in classrooms. Special Education (Joint Doctoral Program with San Francisco State University) The Special Education Joint Doctoral program prepares leaders in research, teaching, administration, and supervision to address the professional needs facing children, youth, and adults with disabilities. By combining the resources of both Berkeley and SFSU, students pursue theoretical interests and applied practices in a broad spectrum of specializations within Special Education. Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) Berkeleys educational doctorate (EdD) is a three year program that engages passionate, equity-conscious leaders who apply practice, theory, and research design to develop excellence and integrity in education. Using guiding principles, operational efficiencies, and professional networks, LEAD doctoral students influence all-encompassing change and innovation in education. Contact Info [email protected] 2121 Berkeley Way Berkeley, CA 94720 At a Glance Department(s) Admit Term(s) Application Deadline December 3, 2024 Degree Type(s) Doctoral / PhD Degree Awarded GRE Requirements Graduate School A place to explore . A place to thrive . A place you belong . Diverse paths of academic inquiry. Fields of Study > Deep investment in every student. Funding Support Model > Connections that last a lifetime. Student Experience > Announcements When I was a graduate student, the faculty, my fellow students, and the professionals with whom I shared my journey taught me to be bold and ambitious.  Every day, our students bring vision, an innovative spirit, and a sense of accountability to their work, advancing scholarly knowledge within and between disciplines while devising new solutions to the world’s most pressing needs.  Read more from Dean PriestlEy Make your mark at Princeton. The Princeton Graduate School welcomes applicants who are seeking to reimagine what’s possible in their fields. Global in scope, yet intimate enough to foster new, cross-disciplinary connections, we believe that the power to shape what’s next begins with you. View of Cleveland Tower. Photographed by Jane Doe. Highly selective Master’s Degree Programs in architecture, engineering, finance, public affairs, and public policy Doctoral Departments and Programs spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering Interdisciplinary / interdepartmental doctoral programs A graduate education that reveals many paths. Professional Development > Diverse perspectives that drive innovative research. Access, Diversity & Inclusion > Upcoming Events Spotlights & recognition. Two graduate students, Jordana Composto and Jinyue (Jerry) Jiang , have been awarded the Maeder Graduate Fellowship in Energy and the Environment. Composto and Jiang received the fellowship for their work, respectively, to understand how individuals and organizations respond to climate change and to analyze the… Graduate College Prospective Students:   Get more information about continuing your journey with us on our   prospective students page . With programs in over 100 areas of study, spanning the Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Education, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business, the University of Iowa likely has a graduate program to fit your needs. We have programs and certificates in the classic disciplines and many new and emerging fields. Undergraduate-to-Graduate (U2G) programs are an important part of the UI landscape. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete two degrees, a bachelor's and a master's, in five years instead of six. Phd-Study-In-Usa PhD Funding in the USA – A Guide for 2024 PhD Funding in the USA Written by Ben Taylor Many of the world’s top research universities are based in the USA, so it’s no surprise that it’s an extremely popular destination for PhD students. Although the USA has a reputation for being an expensive place to study, there are also some fantastic opportunities for PhD funding (including many fully-funded PhD programmes for international students). This page will give you an introduction to the cost of a typical doctorate in the USA, as well as a guide to some of the most generous forms of PhD funding available at American universities. On this page American phd funding – what you need to know first. As we’ve already mentioned, the USA has an expensive reputation – but you shouldn’t let that put you off. There’s a reason why such a large number of American universities can be found among the top-ranked in the world: many institutions have huge budgets and endowments, allowing them to offer generous fully-funded PhD scholarships to graduate students (regardless of nationality). These are a few key points to bear in mind when beginning your search for PhD funding in the USA: Public universities in the United States differentiate between in-state and out-of-state when it comes to fees, so you won’t necessarily be charged more than an out-of-state domestic student if you’re an international student Private universities don’t distinguish between domestic and international students It’s common for universities to offer ‘full-ride’ PhD scholarships to talented grad students The Fulbright Commission administers several funding schemes for international students to complete their research in the USA Federal student loans are available to US nationals The cost of a PhD in the USA With a huge range of universities offering PhD programmes in the USA it’s no surprise that American PhD fees vary a lot. They also tend to be exaggerated or otherwise misreported based on very high figures for prestigious Ivy League universities. These aren’t typical. Actual fees vary between public and private institutions and sometimes depend on a students’ residency status: Public institutions charge an average of $12,394 per year for in-state students on graduate programmes. Be aware that fees for out-of-state students (including international students) are higher than this. Private institutions charge an average of $26,621 per year for all students on graduate programmes. These figures are based on data published by the US National Center for Education Statistics . As a general rule, public institutions will be cheaper than private institutions, but will charge a higher out-of-state fee to international students. This can mean that the actual difference in fees is smaller than it seems above. Private institutions, on the other hand, may have more funding available. The best way to get a sense of the tuition fees you will actually pay for a US PhD is to look up a few programmes in your subject and compare their prices. Just make sure you’re comparing the same thing: some universities will list fees per year, whereas others may list fees per semester or per credit. In-state vs out-of-state US universities don’t distinguish between international students and domestic fees in the same way as the UK. But public universities do differentiate between students from inside or outside their state. This is because ‘in-state’ students have their education partly subsidised by their state government. As an international student you’ll pay the same fee as a US student from ‘out-of-state’. Living costs The sheer size of the USA makes it almost impossible to offer accurate figures for student living costs across all 50 states. So we haven’t. You should definitely include this in your research and preparation though. Some parts of the USA are much more affordable than others. Your university’s international office may be able to help provide a sense of typical graduate student expenses for rent, groceries and travel. See our guide to living in the USA during a PhD for more advice. Other expenses American universities will usually charge additional fees for processing graduate school applications. You’ll also need to budget for admissions tests, language tests and your visa. Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships The US-UK Fulbright Commission is an organisation dedicated to fostering research connections between the United States and the United Kingdom. Every year they offer postgraduate scholarships to talented British students to help them study at an American university (and vice versa). A Fulbright Postgraduate Award offers the following benefits: A contribution towards your tuition fees (this could cover the first year of fees or fully-fund the entire degree, depending on the award and institution) Health insurance cover Visa sponsorship Fulbright Scholars will also gain valuable networking opportunities through a global alumni organisation, as well as support during their studies from the Institute of International Education (IIE). There are a range of Fulbright Postgraduate Awards available, with some providing a fully-funded PhD degree and others only offering a one-year tuition fee waiver. You can check out the Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships on their website. Eligibility for Fulbright Postgraduate Awards The main eligibility requirement for a US-UK Fulbright Award is, unsurprisingly, that you must be a British citizen. However, if you’re a foreign national settled in the UK you may also be able to apply. You’ll also need an undergraduate result of at least a 2.1 (although a 2.2 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis). As the primary goal of the US-UK Fulbright Commission is to foster new connections between the countries, the ideal candidate won’t have spent more than six months in the United States already. Applying for a Fulbright Postgraduate Award The application process for a Fulbright Award usually opens in August, with a deadline in early November. You’ll need to make an online application with the following documents/details: Academic transcripts Passport photo Personal statement Research objectives You’ll also need to complete a separate application to the university you want to do your PhD at. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview in the following February. Other Fulbright PhD scholarships The above information focuses on the US-UK Fulbright Commission, which is part of a much larger network of organisations devoted to helping talented international students attend American universities. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowships , for example, offer Indian students the chance to complete a funded research placement (six to nine months) in the USA. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides Nigerian doctoral students with the opportunity to conduct PhD research in the United States. Fulbright Germany’s Doktorand:innenprogramm (PhD student programme) is a similar scheme to help German researchers complete work in the USA. You can view Fulbright programmes by country on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website. University PhD scholarships It’s actually very common for US universities to provide fully-funded PhD programmes for international students, and relatively rare for successful candidates on graduate programmes to be entirely self-funding. The ‘sticker price’ for a US PhD may seem high, but it’s probably not the price you’ll end up paying. Funding will take various forms. ‘Full-ride’ PhD scholarships will cover fees, living costs and other expenses. Other common options include partial fee discounts or full fee waivers. In general, private universities will have more funding than public universities (though they will also have higher fees). You can search some of the PhD funding available using an official tool provided by Education USA . These results aren’t exhaustive though: make sure you also check with the university you are considering. We’ve done some of the leg-work for you and produced a list of international PhD scholarships available at some of the top American universities, which you can check out below. USA PhD funding University Funding Harvard University California Institute of Technology Stanford University Massachussetts Institute of Technology Princeton University University of California, Berkeley Yale University University of Chicago Columbia University Johns Hopkins University University of Pennsylvania University of California, Los Angeles Cornell University Duke University University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Northwestern University New York University Carnegie Mellon University University of Washington University of California, San Diego Assistantships As well as awarding direct funding, it’s common for US universities to offer assistantship positions to their graduate students. These are effectively a form of employment with the university : you will fulfil a selection of responsibilities in exchange for a stipend or a fee waiver. Common types of assistantship include: Graduate teaching assistantships – These involve teaching and mentoring undergraduate students on courses related to your subject. Responsibilities may include leading discussion groups, supervising essays and helping with course admin. Graduate students doing this kind of work are sometimes referred to as ‘TAs’ (teaching assistants) or ‘adjunct faculty’. Find out more about graduate teaching assistantships . Research assistantships – These involve helping faculty with their research. Responsibilities may include collecting and recording routine data, monitoring experiments or helping set up equipment. Administrative assistantships – These involve clerical, administrative and secretarial work for the university or graduate programme. Responsibilities may include data entry and management, assisting with meetings and other activities or helping with other routine office tasks. Fellowships – These don’t involve additional work but may be conditional on maintaining a certain standard for your academic work or pursuing particular directions with your research. Graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships are the most common types of assistantship, but it’s worth checking to see what different universities offer. Federal grants and aid National science foundation (nsf) graduate research fellowship program (grfp). The National Science Foundation’s GRFP is a long-established federal grant scheme for talented STEM graduate students in the USA, providing the opportunity of a fully-funded PhD. Past fellows include over 40 Nobel laureates. The GRFP offers the following financial benefits over a three-year period: $37,000 annual stipend Tuition fee allowance of $12,000 (paid directly to the university) Applicants for the NSF GRFP must be: American citizens, permanent residents or nationals Graduate students beginning a research-based Masters or PhD degree in a STEM subject Embarking on Masters or PhD study for the first time As you might expect, competition for these prestigious fellowships is high, with around 12,000 applications for 2,000 places. There are four main elements to an NSF GRFP application: Graduate research plan statement Two or three reference letters The deadline for submitting these documents is usually mid to late October, with the results announced at the beginning of April. You can find out more on the NSF GRFP website . Federal Student Aid for US students If you’re a US citizen, you may be able to receive financial aid from the government to help fund your studies. Generally, international students are not eligible to apply except in very specific circumstances . You’ll also need to have financial need, but there is no income cut-off to qualify for financial aid. Rather, there are several factors considered when assessing your application. Unlike undergraduate students, Masters and PhD applicants are considered independent for financial aid purposes, meaning only your own income and assets are taken into account, as opposed to your parents’. The types of federal aid available for postgraduate students include: #1 Federal loans Loans available for Masters students include Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans . For Direct Unsubsidized Loans , your university determines how much money you’re eligible to receive, up to an upper limit that depends on your personal circumstances. Find out more about Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits. Interest rates are currently set at 7.05% for the 2023-24 year. Direct PLUS Loans don’t award a set amount. Instead, you can borrow up to the full cost of your Masters programme, minus any other forms of financial support you are receiving for it. Interest rates are set at 8.05% for the 2023-24 year. To apply, you’ll need to be studying a course at 50% intensity or more (part-time programmes are eligible for direct plus loans, provided you study on a ‘half-time’ basis or greater). You’ll also need a good credit history to apply a Direct PLUS loan. You won’t normally be able to receive a Direct PLUS Loan if you have a record of credit default or overdue debt for existing loans. In some cases, a parent or other US citizen may endorse your application as a guarantor. As a Masters student you won’t repay your loan until six months after you cease to be enrolled on your course. Note that this repayment period will normally still come into effect if you exit your graduate programme early. Actual repayment plans vary, but you can view a set of guides from the US Department of Education . #2 Work-study Federal work study provides part-time jobs for US students who have financial need, to help them cover their living costs and tuition fees. Roles can be on or off campus, and where possible related to your field of study. Off-campus jobs are generally for nonprofit organisations or public agencies, and must be performed in the public interest. Postgraduate students may be paid by the hour or by salary, depending on the type of role performed. How many hours you’re allowed to work will be determined by your university’s financial aid office. Federal work-study is generally not available for international students, but there are other ways to earn money alongside your studies. We cover this in our guide to working in the USA as a student . Applying for financial aid To apply for financial aid, you’ll need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Filling in the FAFSA involves creating an online account and receiving a unique FSA ID. You should have access to the following documents and information when filling in the FAFSA: Your social security number Your driving license number (if you have one) Your Alien Registration Number (of you are not a US citizen) Tax documents or tax returns for yourself and your spouse (if married) Records of any untaxed income, savings, cash or investments The FAFSA form for becomes available for course starting the following year on 1 October annually. So if you’re planning to study a Masters or PhD starting in Autumn 2024, you’ll be able to fill in the FAFSA from 1 October 2023 . The FAFSA deadline for 2023-24 is 30 June 2024 . Search for a PhD in the USA Ready to begin your search for the perfect American PhD project ? Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice You may also like.... Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work as a student or recent graduate in the USA. Why you'll need health insurance as an international student in the USA and how to find the right plan for you. Our guide tells you everything about the application process for studying a PhD in the USA. Our guide tells you exactly what kind of visa you need to study a study in the USA and what you need to apply for it. FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved. Unknown    ( change ) Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study? Select your nearest city You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits: Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.* The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com or begin browsing FindAPhD.com *Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw. Do you want hassle-free information and advice? Create your FindAPhD account and sign up to our newsletter: Find out about funding opportunities and application tips Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest PhD news Hear about our upcoming study fairs Save your favourite projects, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates Create your account Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here . Find a Person For EMS Faculty & Staff Community Resources Department of Geography Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master’s degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular specialties; thus, any aspirant for a doctorate must obtain master’s training or its equivalent before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. In short, admission to doctoral candidacy is official recognition that a student’s general foundation in the breadth of geography is satisfactory. Students then devote their attention to developing depth in chosen specialties. The general requirements for a doctoral degree in geography are more rigorous than those for a master’s degree. At the same time, the greater flexibility of the doctoral program allows advanced students to pursue programs of study tailored to their special interests and needs. Progress through the degree is marked by:  Successful performance in a verbal qualifying exam;  Four-day written comprehensive exam, with a verbal portion after the written answers have been assessed by the committee;   Formal dissertation proposal; and  Verbal defense of a completed dissertation. The four-year Ph.D. program is reserved for students who have a master’s degree from another graduate program. That can be another geography program at another university, a non-geography program at another university, or a non-geography program at Penn State. Students entering the four-year Ph.D. program must take the doctoral qualifying exam in their first year. A committee from three of the four fields of geography and formally appointed by the Graduate Program Officer will administer the qualifying exam. The qualifying exam can take place any time during the year, but students in the four-year Ph.D. program typically take it during spring semester. Students in the four-year Ph.D. program complete a comprehensive exam and defend their dissertation proposal in the second year. Depending on the needs of their research, and in agreement with their doctoral committee, students can fulfill these two requirements in either order. Once students have successfully passed their comprehensive exam and defended their proposal, they typically take two years to research, write, and defend their dissertations. Our online Graduate Student Handbook explains the program requirements for all degrees. PhD in Clinical Psychology Clinical Concentrations PhD in Psychology PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Media & Technology PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development Media Psychology Master’s in Media Psychology Media Psychology Certificate Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Certificate in Respecialization in Clinical Psychology Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program PhD Degree Completion Program PhD in Human Development PhD in Organizational Development and Change EdD Leadership for Change Doctoral Concentrations Master’s in Organization Development and Leadership Evidence Based Coaching Certificate ALL PROGRAMS COURSE CATALOG Request for Information Upcoming Info Session Degrees & Programs Transfer Credits Scholarships & Fellowships Tuition & Fees Office of Admissions Office of Financial Aid Veterans Services Office of Student Services myFielding (University Intranet) Moodle (Learning.Fielding.edu) Library Student Login One-Stop Student Center Contact An Advisor Student Advising REQUEST INFO 800.567.8910 Alumni Events Alumni News Alumni Services Cabrini Students transfer up to 40 doctoral credits to complete your PhD degree. Cabrini Students Let’s Finish What You Started Join a student-centered learning community.. Students transfer into our doctoral programs from a variety of fields, psychology, education, and leadership studies, to name just a few. Within in the School of Leadership studies, students can choose to enter two different programs: Contact us  to discuss your interests and previous education, and how they can match up to your chosen Fielding doctoral program. Fielding Graduate University is a long-standing WASC accredited institution. Dean of Faculty Kathy Geller, Ph.D. As a former Drexel University faculty member, I have a tremendous fondness for the southeastern PA region and its family of colleges and universities. This is why I’m excited to share with former Cabrini students Fielding’s academic pathway for you to finish your PhD degree. — Dr. Kathy Geller, Dean of Faculty Let’s finish what you started. We understand life can get in the way of achieving personal goals. We’re ready to help. For 48 years, Fielding Graduate University has been helping adult students achieve their graduate degree goals. In fact, many successful Fielding alumni started their graduate education somewhere else but chose to finish at Fielding. Choose to finish your doctoral education at Fielding. Thrive in your desired profession and become a part of the Fielding international alumni network. Transferring Credit Learn more in our Transferring Credit Section >>> APPLY NOW for SPRING 2025 Join over 7,500 fielding alumni located around the world. Change the world. Start with yours.™ First Name * Last Name * Your Location * Your Location USA Canada International Program of Interest * Program of Interest PhD in Clinical Psychology PhD in Psychology with an Emphasis in Media & Technology PhD in Psychology PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development PhD in Human Development PhD in Organizational Development and Change EdD in Leadership for Change MA in Organization Development and Leadership MA in Infant, Child, Family Mental Health and Development MA in Applied Media Psychology Certificate in Evidence Based Coaching Certificate in Media Psychology Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Certificate of Respecialization in Clinical Psychology *All Fields are required. By submitting this form, you agree to be contacted regarding your request and are confirming you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Contact Info Fielding Graduate University 2020 De la Vina Street Santa Barbara, California 93105 Phone: 1-800-340-1099 Admissions: 805-898-4026 Email: [email protected] Web: Fielding.edu/apply-now Recent Posts Fielding Faculty, Students to Participate at the 2024 APA Convention from Aug. 8-10  IECD Program: A Student and Faculty Perspective  Join Provost Williams for Fielding Social Hour at APA in Seattle on Aug. 9 Sara Chadwick – Information for Prospective Graduate Students FAQs for Prospective PhD Students Interested in Working with Dr. Sara Chadwick   What type of research will a PhD student learn to conduct under Dr. Chadwick ’s supervision?  As a PhD student under my supervision, you will be trained in how to conduct research as a Feminist Psychologist . A feminist psychologist is a social scientist who conducts psychological research on feminist topics, using feminist methodologies. In my lab, this involves using surveys, interviews, focus groups, experiments, and sometimes other scientific approaches to gather empirical data from human participants. As such, in my lab, you will learn to ask meaningful research questions, design a scientific study to answer your questions, gather data from participants, analyze the data, and write research papers for publication in scientific journals. If you are not sure what this looks like, please review the following research study I conducted on orgasm coercion . Ask yourself: would you like to learn to conduct a research study like that? Would you like to spend a large portion of your time analyzing data and writing papers like that one? If the answer is yes, then great! Please continue reading. If the answer is no and/or you thought doing a PhD involved something else, that’s okay! There are many different types of research approaches out there, especially in Gender & Women’s Studies Departments. You should pursue another supervisor who does work that is more similar to what you are interested in doing. What type of classes will a PhD student take under Dr. Chadwick ’s supervision?  In addition to hands-on research experience, you will complete rigorous coursework in Psychology AND Gender & Women’s Studies, regardless of whether you come to UW-Madison through the Psychology or Gender & Women’s Studies PhD program. Your training will include classes such as Feminist Theory, Social Psychology Theory, Research Methods, Grant Writing, Advanced Statistics, and sometimes Computer Programming. Some of these courses are very theory-heavy and humanities-based. Some are highly scientific and/or mathematical. All are essential to becoming an excellent, highly trained researcher in feminist psychology. As such, you should be prepared to engage in learning across both fields. It is okay if you feel that you are weaker in some of the above listed subjects than others as long as you are willing to engage with all of them in an effort to strengthen your interdisciplinary skills. After reading the above, are you are still interested in doing a PhD with Dr. Chadwick ? If yes, great! Please keep reading!  What are the options for doing a PhD with Dr. Chadwick ?  At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, there are a few options for completing a PhD with me. Option 1.  The first option is that you can do a single-major (traditional) PhD through the Psychology PhD Program or through the Gender & Women’s Studies PhD Program. Through the Gender & Women’s Studies Program, you would be able to choose a concentration in either Psychology or Health. Note, if you are interesting in attending through the Psychology program, I only accept students who apply to the SOCIAL Psychology area. I am not a clinical psychologist and will not accept students who apply to work with me through Clinical Psychology. Here is a link to the Psychology PhD program information: https://psych.wisc.edu/graduate-program/ Here is a link to the Gender and Women’s Studies PhD information: https://gws.wisc.edu/graduate/phd-program-in-gender-and-womens-studies/ Option 2. The second option is applying to complete a joint PhD in Gender & Women’s Studies and Psychology. This is a new option that I have developed here at UW-Madison, so if you would like to pursue this, it is imperative that you let me know in advance so that I can determine whether this option makes sense for your goals. Of note, to pursue this option you will be required to submit SEPARATE applications to both the Psychology and the GWS PhD programs. What is the difference between the Psychology PhD Program or the Gender & Women’s Studies PhD Program?  Importantly, there are a few things to consider when deciding which program is the best fit for you. But first, you should know that I will train you in the same way regardless of which PhD program you are accepted through.  I.e., you will be trained as a feminist psychologist doing the type of social science research that I do, with links to both the Social Psychology area and Gender & Women’s Studies here at UW-Madison. The difference will primarily be where your “home” department lies and which courses are required. However, I believe you will take many of the same courses regardless considering the overlap in the programs. The other difference would be your future career prospects. One or the other might be better depending on what your future goals are. If you are interested in becoming a professor in a Psychology Department, the Psychology PhD might give you a better shot. But at the same time, doing feminist psychology is often considered to be non-traditional for most Psychology departments, and it is likely that you will end up in a different type of department anyway (i.e., one that values the quality of your work and/or your interdisciplinary focus more so than the name on your PhD). For example, after completing my PhD in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies, I was given opportunities to work in a Human and Family Development Department, an interdisciplinary Sexuality Studies Department, a Violence Against Women research group, Population and Public Health Departments, and a Gender & Women’s Studies Department. Traditional Psychology Departments were less interested. With that said, the Gender & Women’s Studies PhD with a concentration in either Psychology or Health would make you more competitive for many interdisciplinary positions, and certainly for programs looking for feminist-oriented researchers. It might, however, make you even less competitive for a traditional Psychology department. There is also the possibility that you are not interested in being a professor at all! That is totally fine, too! If you are interested in pursuing a career in industry, a PhD in either area could work for you, since it will be more so about the research skills that you develop. In the end, it is up to you which PhD program you apply to. Do I have a better chance of getting into the Psychology PhD program or the Gender & Women’s Studies PhD program? Both the Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies Programs are HIGHLY competitive. Each department can get hundreds of applications each year and we may only accept a few students. I cannot guarantee your acceptance to either program, regardless of how great of a candidate you are. Acceptance depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the competitiveness of your application, your fit for the program, your fit in my research lab, the types of students the department is looking for each year, and my availability and funding opportunities. With that said, your chance on getting into the Psychology PhD program vs. the Gender & Women’s Studies program may vary from year to year. I am most likely to accept a student through the Gender & Women’s Studies program. I *might* be able to accept a student through the Psychology program. You are welcome to apply to either or both. What is Dr. Chadwick looking for in a PhD student?  I am looking for PhD students who would like to be trained as feminist psychologists, who have research interests that overlap with mine, and who are likely to succeed in a PhD program that integrates Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies. As such, your application and any initial communications with me should clearly state and provide evidence that: 1.        You would like to complete a PhD with me because you would like to be trained as a feminist psychologist.  I.e., it is important that you know and understand that doing this program with me as your supervisor means spending ~5 years learning to do scientific research that integrates feminist and psychological theories and methodologies. In other words, this is much like a job application. You should let me know that you understand what the job title is and that you are indeed interested in doing what the job entails. If I am not sure that you understand what it means to do a PhD with me, it is unlikely that I will support your application. 2.        Your research interests overlap with mine. I am currently interested in studying gray-area sexual coercion, orgasm coercion, gender roles, the heteronormativity theory of sexual desire, health outcomes, and often gender/sexual minority populations. If you do a PhD with me, you will likely start by helping me with my research studies as you develop research skills, so it is important that you are interested in and willing to do this work. Eventually, you will develop your own ideas, and it is okay if they are tangential to mine. But, I will likely require that they be somewhat related so that I can best advise you and we can engage in a mutually beneficial research partnership.  Of note, it is not enough just to say you are interested in the above topics. To be as competitive as possible, you should clarify: What exactly interests you about these topics? What research questions might you ask that are related to these topics? What ideas do you have for expanding upon some of the studies I have done? Please note that I have published some work on topics that I am no longer pursuing. For example, I am not planning to conduct additional research on pornography or hormones and am unlikely to take a student who is primarily interested in these subjects. 3.        You are likely to succeed at completing a social science PhD that involves Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies. The best way to show that you are likely to succeed is to demonstrate how your previous experience has well-prepared you to do this PhD. For example, you should have an undergraduate major and/or a Master’s level degree (though a Master’s degree is not required) in Psychology or a closely related social science (that you could easily argue has prepared you to do psychological research).  You should also have some experience working in a social science lab as a research assistant (volunteer or paid) and/or lab coordinator. This ensures that you have familiarity with the scientific method, the research process, and some basic research skills. Additionally, having written a senior thesis in Psychology, being a first or co-author on a manuscript, and/or having presented or been accepted to present at a conference will make you especially competitive. Note that if you have never worked in a research lab before or done any type of social science research, I am not likely to accept you. If this is the case for you, I recommend that you contact labs near you and try to obtain a volunteer or research assistant position and then re-applying to PhD programs once you have at least 1-2 years of experience. It is also a benefit if you can demonstrate some experience with data collection and analyses. I am a mixed method researcher, thus I am interested in students who have experience developing surveys, coding data, and/or conducting interviews or focus groups. Quantitative and/or qualitative experience with software such as SPSS, R, NVivo, Stata, MPlus is a plus. In addition to the requirements above, it is a benefit that you have some experience with Gender and Women’s Studies topics. It is ideal if you have taken relevant classes or have a relevant major or minor. It may also be acceptable if you are just deeply invested in social justice topics, and have demonstrated experience with this (for example, you wrote undergrad papers that involved a feminist or gendered lens, you have relevant volunteer or job experiences, you have relevant lived/personal community experiences, etc.). Finally, you should have strong letters of recommendation from professors you have studied with or worked with in the past. Ideally, you will have at least one professor who can attest to your previous research experience and the skills that you can bring to the table as a part of the PhD program. Ok, everything above sounds good! What should you do next?  If after reading all of the above, you are still confident that you would like to apply to either the Psychology or Gender & Women’s Studies PhD Program with me as your primary supervisor, then great! I’m thrilled that you are interested in working with me! The next step is to email me to communicate that you are still interested and that you have read and understood everything in this document. If you already emailed me with some of this information, then great, you are on the right track! However, it is likely you did not include information on everything, and it would probably be helpful for me to know more. As such, in your email, please clarify the following: That you understand what a feminist psychologist is/does and that you would like to get a PhD with me because you are interested in becoming a feminist psychologist. That you are committed to taking Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies courses, regardless of whether you work with me through the Psychology or Gender & Women’s Studies program. Which program you are planning to apply to. Your research interests and how they overlap with mine. A brief description of your qualifications and previous research experience. An updated CV. Note, sending me this information will allow me to best evaluate your fit for working with me. Due to a high volume of interest, I may not be able to respond to you, but be assured that I have read your email and am taking note of potentially strong applications. Again, I cannot guarantee anyone’s acceptance into either program, but I may be able to advocate for students I think are especially competitive. With that said, you do not HAVE to email me the requested information, but doing so will increase the chance that I will agree to become your supervisor upon acceptance. Finally, the last step is to complete the official application through the UW-Madison website!  Please make sure to submit your strongest materials and to really make your writing and stated interests shine! I look forward to potentially working with you! Dr. Sara B. Chadwick Department of History College of Social Science History PhD Candidate Spotlight: NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellow Gloria J. Ashalou Posted on August 14, 2024 August 14, 2024 Author mcdon625  By: Patti McDonald  Gloria J. Ashaolu, a Michigan State University History PhD candidate majoring in African American history with minors in U.S. history and Black comparative/diaspora history, was recently named a 2024 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Dissertation Fellow.    This prestigious fellowship was only offered to 35 graduate students nationwide. The fellowship supports these students with the writing phase of their dissertation. The fellowship is comprised of three key components: fellows receive $27,500 for one academic year (distributed in two installments), students participate in two professional development retreats facilitated by NAEd members and other distinguished scholars, and have the opportunity of selecting an NAEd member or another respected scholar as their mentor to offer advice and assistance during the school year.  We sat down with Gloria and asked her about her dissertation, how grateful she is for being recognized as a NAEd/Spencer Fellow, and why she decided to major in African American history and minor in U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history.  What were you thinking when you found out you were awarded The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship?    I was overwhelmed with joy and a deep sense of gratitude.  What is this fellowship going to allow you to do? How is it so helpful you received this?    The financial support from the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship alleviates the need for significant employment and will allow me to dedicate more time to my dissertation—toward meeting the goals I set for my time to degree trajectory. I am also immensely grateful for the unique opportunity to engage with members of my cohort and distinguished scholars in the field of education at the two professional development retreats organized by the National Academy of Education. Participating in the discussions and sessions will provide me with the resources and insight to meaningfully contribute to the field and the improvement of education. Furthermore, fellows are paired with mentors who will provide further research and career development over the academic year.   What is your dissertation about? Tell us about it in a few sentences.    Between the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, the model of educational vision Black teachers fostered and were deeply committed to greatly mirrored what we today regard as anti-racist systems of knowledge and educational practices. My dissertation attends to the understudied educational activism, pedagogies, and praxes of local Black teachers during the Early Black History Movement through a biographical analysis of the life and times of Jane Dabney Shackelford, a Black female educator from Terre Haute, Indiana who was most active during the era of Jim Crow segregation. The educational trajectory and systems of teaching Shackelford and her peers embodied serve as a useful tool for conceptualizing the significant ways in which local schoolteachers cultivated an intentional educational and intellectual practice that challenged the beliefs, politics, and policies of Jim Crow segregation. Driven by what Anna Julia Cooper referred to as the “moral forces of reason and justice and love,” these educators inspired Civil Rights Movement participants, Black Power Movement activists, and Black Studies revolutionaries.   Why is this type of research so important?    Amid the regime of violence, discrimination, and disfranchisement of Jim Crow segregation, local Black teachers played critical roles in the lives of countless Black youth by educating them about their rich history, heritage, and culture. This study situates the underappreciated presence and pedagogies of these educators within their rightful historical legacy. The first contribution of this project entails the study of the life and times of an influential—yet understudied—historical actor as a window into the education-activism of Black teachers during the Early Black History Movement. Second, this project attends to the principles and conventions of Jim Crow North, by challenging static, flattened, and selective narratives that loom in popular remembering of the era of Jim Crow segregation. Third, the use of the robust repository that makes up the Shackelford papers seeks to excavate the scholarly and intellectual work and the service ethos that guided her educational activism and that of her community of educators.   Why did you decide to major and minor in African American history, U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history?   The decision to major and minor in African American history, U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history in the Michigan State University History PhD program was inspired by the trajectory of my research, the opportunity to learn from leading scholars in the fields, and my aspiration to create meaningful historical work that helps us better understand the present through our collective history towards a just and inclusive society.      Who have been some of your mentors within the History department?    My mentors within the department include my major Advisor, Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie (University Distinguished Professor of History, Associate Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Dean of the Graduate School), and Dissertation Committee Member, Dr. LaShawn D. Harris (award-winning historian and Associate Professor of History). I am sincerely thankful for their instrumental guidance and supportive mentorship.       Anything else you would like to include?      I am also grateful to God for the scholar-friends in the Department of History and College of Education who have been thought-partners and for their community of support.   Gloria J. Ashaolu  167 IMAGES What Is An Undergraduate Degree Vs Graduate? UW-Madison ranks 2nd in doctorates awarded, climbing from 3rd Congratulations To Our New PhD Graduates! What is the Difference Between Undergraduate and Graduate and New PhD Graduates What Is An Undergrad Degree COMMENTS terminology A Graduate student is usually enrolled with the objective of doing a PhD, many Graduate students, provided they have the coursework and thesis, might get a Masters degree in the middle of the program along with the PhD. Difference Between Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate In graduate programs, class sizes are much smaller. Because of the difference in class size, teacher-student interaction also differs. In undergraduate programs, there isn't much room to interact with your professors. There are also fewer opportunities to participate in class. Graduate programs are more intimate and thus, more dynamic. Guide on Getting Into Grad School Undergraduate vs Graduate (PhD) Programs. The experiences of an undergraduate and graduate student can appear deceptively similar. They are both at a university doing coursework and research. However, there are significant differences. Not understanding the depth of these differences can hinder your chances of being admitted and succeeding in ... Undergraduate Vs. Graduate: What's The Difference? ⚡ Quick summary. The main difference between undergraduate and graduate is that undergraduate is always used in the context of the first level of college or university education (the level where you can earn a bachelor's degree).In terms like graduate student and graduate degree, graduate refers to a level of advanced education beyond the undergraduate level, especially a master's degree ... How to Prepare for a PhD as an Undergraduate: 13 Steps 1. Talk to your professors. It's a good idea to talk to professors about your interests, especially professors in your field of interest. Not only have they been through the process of obtaining a PhD, but they know other professors and institutions in the field. PDF GRAD Guide to Applying to Ph.D. Programs A Ph.D. is a research degree that involves the production of original knowledge and scholarship. Doctoral degrees have traditionally been regarded as training programs for academics. As such, a Ph.D. program differs from undergraduate or Master's studies. Most Ph.D. programs involve some initial coursework (specific requirements for ... What Is Graduate School? Why Go? Master's and PhDs There are, generally speaking, three kinds of graduate degrees offered by graduate schools: the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MA and MS offer additional schooling in a discipline beyond a bachelor's degree. A PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic field. Difference Between Undergraduate and Postgraduate Study Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Engineering (EngD). Key Differences between Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes Level of Specialisation. An undergraduate degree offers a broad overview of a subject. The aim is to provide you with the basic skills, knowledge and experience you need to start a successful career in your chosen field. Admissions The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is a leading institution of graduate study, offering PhD and select master's degrees as well as opportunities to study without pursuing a degree as a visiting student. Apply The school offers master's and PhD degrees in programs based in the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering and applied sciences. Many programs also allow a student to conduct more focused research by choosing an area of study. Review the programs on offer to decide which program best meets your academic goals. Admissions Francisco Najera, PhD Candidate, History ... "I am constantly amazed at how the University of Chicago continues to focus on graduate student education and lifestyles. They offer so many opportunities to learn about career options, to network with other students or faculty, to get into the community, and to lead a happy life while you are ... phd When I did my undergraduate thesis, my adviser was expected big on students expecting them working really hard, so it ended up as a reduced master's thesis (most of the reviewers said that it was an . ... PhD thesis demonstrates the capacity to apply specialised research skills (i.e. expert knowledge of a particular concept or method) in an ... Programs The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is a leading institution of graduate study, offering PhD and select master's degrees as well as opportunities to study without pursuing a degree as a visiting student. Preparing for a PhD in Economics Preparing for a PhD in Economics. The minimum requirements of the Economics undergraduate major are not designed to be training for doctoral economics programs. Students who plan to continue their education should take more quantitative courses than the minimum required for the major. Preparation should start early in your undergraduate education. PhD Student vs Graduate Student [Correct terminologies] someone undergoing their undergraduate degree, referred to as an undergraduate. Everyone pass this level is referred to as a graduate. referred to as a graduate student or a Masters student. a PhD student is someone who is in the early stage of their degree and has two complete the coursework (common in the USA). Doctoral Degrees A doctoral degree requires the satisfactory completion of an approved program of advanced study and original research of high quality. Please note that the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Science (ScD) degrees are awarded interchangeably by all departments in the School of Engineering and the School of Science, except in the fields of ... Master's vs PhD 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 ... PhD/Master's Application Process Register early. 4) Complete your application. 1) Identify the program and degree you want. Decide whether you will apply for a PhD or a terminal Master's (MA, MS) in one of the programs available at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. (Note that you will earn one or more Master's degrees en route to a PhD.) Department of Mathematics at Columbia University The PhD program is an intensive course of study designed for the full-time student planning a career in research and teaching at the university level or in quantitative research and development in industry or government. Admission is limited and highly selective. Successful applicants have typically pursued an undergraduate major in mathematics. Graduate Studies Graduate Studies. Commencement 2019. The Harvard Department of Physics offers students innovative educational and research opportunities with renowned faculty in state-of-the-art facilities, exploring fundamental problems involving physics at all scales. Our primary areas of experimental and theoretical research are atomic and molecular physics ... Education PhD The Graduate Division serves more than 13,000 students in over 100 graduate degree programs. ... of Philosophy (PhD), Master's of Arts (MA), and credential degree programs as well as an Education major and minor for undergraduate students. PhD and Master's Programs at the Berkeley School of Education. Students collaborate in dynamic learning ... Graduate School When I was a graduate student, the faculty, my fellow students, and the professionals with whom I shared my journey taught me to be bold and ambitious. Every day, our students bring vision, an innovative spirit, and a sense of accountability to their work, advancing scholarly knowledge within and between disciplines while devising new solutions ... Programs We have programs and certificates in the classic disciplines and many new and emerging fields. Undergraduate-to-Graduate (U2G) programs are an important part of the UI landscape. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete two degrees, a bachelor's and a master's, in five years instead of six. Fall 2024 Orientation. PhD Funding in the USA Your university's international office may be able to help provide a sense of typical graduate student expenses for rent, groceries and travel. ... Unlike undergraduate students, Masters and PhD applicants are considered independent for financial aid purposes, meaning only your own income and assets are taken into account, as opposed to your ... Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master's degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular ... Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Toxicology The courses are designed to provide undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about and conduct scientific research in environmental toxicology. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental toxicology, prospective students should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator to discuss prerequisites and prior training. Cabrini Students Finish Your PhD at Fielding PhD Degree Completion Program Cabrini Students transfer up to 40 doctoral credits to complete your PhD degree. Cabrini Students Let's Finish What You Started Join a student-centered learning community. Students transfer into our doctoral programs from a variety of fields, psychology, education, and Sara Chadwick FAQs for Prospective PhD Students Interested in Working with Dr. Sara Chadwick . What type of research will a PhD student learn to conduct under Dr. Chadwick 's supervision? As a PhD student under my supervision, you will be trained in how to conduct research as a Feminist Psychologist.A feminist psychologist is a social scientist who conducts psychological research on feminist topics, using ... History PhD Candidate Spotlight: NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellow By: Patti McDonald . Gloria J. Ashaolu, a Michigan State University History PhD candidate majoring in African American history with minors in U.S. history and Black comparative/diaspora history, was recently named a 2024 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Dissertation Fellow.. This prestigious fellowship was only offered to 35 graduate students nationwide. Artificial Intelligence Courses and Programs AI for Professionals in Healthcare. These courses and programs are designed for both medical practitioners as well as computer science, and data science professionals working within the healthcare industry. essay homework paper phd project resume review speech thesis