While most students enter doctoral programs directly from undergraduate studies, it is not uncommon for students first to obtain a master's degree in their discipline. Some doctoral programs prefer students without previous graduate study, but others, such as Clinical Psychology, may prefer their students to have either a master's degree or a substantial number of graduate credits in the field. It is best to check with each school to which you are applying for their policy and advice.

No. We only admit students as Master's students, even if their end goal is a Ph.D. If you hold a Master's degree (geography or other), you can apply for the Ph.D. program.

Answer: The CHDS master's programs holds admissions three times a year. The deadline for fall admissions is June 1st, the deadline for spring admissions is October 1st, and the deadline for summer admissions is March 1st.

To be eligible to apply for a master's degree program, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in addtion to supporting documents. Please visit the section labeled Apply to Programs for complete information on applying to a master's degree.

Pursuit of the doctorate requires completion of the full program for all candidates, whether or not you already possess a master's degree. The curriculum has been designed as a complete program of study for doctoral candidates.

In general we recommend that all students apply to the Master's program. If you subsequently find that you cannot or do not wish to complete the entire degree you can always choose to get the Certificate instead (provided that you have completed at least three seminars with a grade of "B" or better.

Yes. You may be currently enrolled in a graduate program and still apply for the certification. However, you will not be issued your certificate until you have completed your graduate program.

The answer to this question depends on many factors. Some students pursue a master's degree because they are not certain they want to spend the time and resources for a doctoral degree. Others consider a master's program as an intermediate step in their education towards eventually obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology or another field. About one fourth of those awarded a bachelor’s degree continue in graduate or professional education in psychology or other fields.

No. You must have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree program (or the equivalent) by the Fall of the year you are wishing to enter the graduate program in order to apply for that semester.

No, an M.A. degree is not required. Most students apply directly to a doctoral program. But see the question above, "What job opportunities are available with an M.A.?" Yes. However, the admissions committee will expect that you have had an introductory course in psychology, a course in statistics, and a course in research methods (or similar courses).

Yes, students in the direct Ph.D. program do essentially the same coursework as the students in the graduate program (that leads to the S.M. degree) but are given a lighter coursework load during the first year in order to be able to spend more time starting their research work. In addition to that, they do a research methodology course, where they are exposed to different research areas and to the research interests of the faculty.

Completion of a Master's degree prior to entering the Doctoral Program is highly recommended and will be considered in the application review process. Students without graduate-level training are rarely admitted directly into the doctoral program, however, currently enrolled MPA/MUP students, or students without Master's preparation may be considered for provisional admittance.

Yes. The NAAB-accredited Professional Master in Architecture program at the New Jersey School of Architecture is designed as a post-baccalaureate program for students with little or no background in architecture. Students with some undergraduate coursework in architecture, design, or civil engineering may receive advanced placement, as noted below.

No; the only degree requirement is the bachelor's degree. If your degree was received outside of the United States, we recommend you contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to confirm its equivalency to U.S. standards. They may be reached at: 858-534-3555 or gradadmissions@ucsd.edu.

The majority of Ph.D. students have Master’s Degrees, but it is possible to be admitted to the Ph.D. program directly from undergraduate studies. The course of study in such instances typically entails approximately one extra year. The Ph.D. degree is not intended for clinical training, however. Individuals wanting to become clinically-certified, should apply to the master’s program.

A minimum of four years of undergraduate study, or the equivalent, is required for admission. However, students with less than four years, who seek admission to an M.S. degree in computer science, management information systems, or MBA may request admission to the bridge program. If admitted to the bridge program, one year of undergraduate coursework must be taken as a Fairleigh Dickinson student to satisfy the four-year requirement.

No. Only those students intending to pursue the Ph.D. will be admitted to the program. However, a Master's degree may be obtained upon satisfactory completion of its requirements.

The Anthropology Graduate Program at the University of Washington is a PhD program. A Master's degree may be earned while completing the requirements for the PhD as a step along the way.

No, the Psychology department only offers application to the PhD program. You will complete your Master's degree requirements on the way towards earning your PhD, but you cannot apply to a terminal Master's program.

No, students will be awarded a certificate of program completion and have a transcript of their courses, but a Master's Degree is not awarded.

FYI: Our PhD candidates earn a Master of Science degree in Public Policy after successful completion of core coursework and the comprehensive examinations. When are applications due? If I meet the required deadlines, when can I expect to receive a decision? Applications are due January 15 for the following fall semester. Please note that a new policy now requires that applicants submit their entire application complete in one mailing to the Office of Graduate Admissions by the date noted above.

During the first semester of the senior year, graduating seniors will need to request a degree audit. Once students know that they will graduate the following semester, they will submit an online diploma application through Online Services and will need to do so before the deadline determined by the Office of the Registrar. If a student is not authorized to complete the application, he or she will need to contact the adviser in the dean's office.

The main difference between the two degrees has to do with the level of specialization attained in your field. A master's degree provides less opportunity for specialization and little research training. Master's programs generally require the completion of 30 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree and either a final, comprehensive exam or a written thesis (usually 50 to 100 pages in length).

This really depends on your ultimate career goal. If you want to become a university professor, qualified to teach undergraduates and graduate students, and do research and publish in your field of expertise, you must obtain the doctorate (Ph.D.). If your goal is to become, say, a social worker, a practicing speech pathologist, or a high school teacher, you should obtain a master's degree, which will prepare you to become licensed and/or certified in fields such as these.

The graduate program does not offer a "terminal" masters degree. Following successful completion of your course work and general examination, you may apply to the registrar's office to receive a masters degree en route to completion of your doctorate. The A.M. program is available to a small number of experienced musicians who are preparing or engaged in careers as performers and performance teachers and for whom a PhD is not appropriate.

Graduates of our master's degree program typically assume design/development roles in public or private organizations -- about half in corporations.

No. We may however suggest to some applicants that they study for a Master's degree before coming to do a PhD, if we consider that additional preparation is necessary. Also, some funding sources (for instance, the Neuroinformatics DTC) provide four years of funding covering an MSc followed by a PhD.

Once formally accepted into a degree program by Wilkes University, all graduate credits received for a course in that program will count towards that degree or program. To learn more about admission to a graduate program, please visit our admissions page.