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Master’s and Doctoral studies

Griffis Helen

Master’s degree is the next level of higher education after bachelor’s degree. In the USA it exists within the framework of graduate schools. Unlike Great Britain, there are no purely research Master’s programs here. In America they have a clear structure: students have to take courses and regular knowledge control – continuous assessment. During two years they perform various assignments, take exams, write essays and receive grades, which make up the average diploma grade – GPA.

Master’s degree in America is divided into two types:

  • Academic Master’s – comprehensive study of the subject area and preparation for scientific activity. Modules are divided into compulsory and electives. Compulsory, as always, are general, and electives are more specialized. At the final stage, Master’s students write a dissertation – an independent research with the support of a supervisor.
  • Professional Master’s – provides professional skills necessary for future career. The curriculum of such programs is more rigorous and there are fewer electives. Professional graduate schools (business, medical, law and so on) often conclude partnership agreements with employers. This affects the content of educational programs and increases their prestige. The result of training is an internship in a company.

Doctoral degree in USA

Doctoral degree in the USA is the final stage of higher education. Like a Master’s degree, it is not based on research alone. Full-time programs on average last from 4 to 6 years.

  • The coursework stage (1-4 years). The first stage is devoted to the usual coursework, which is divided into core classes and elective classes. Some PhD programs also include volunteer and professional internships, personal growth trainings, and foreign language courses. At the end of the program, the student will take a comprehensive exam.
  • The dissertation stage (2-4 years). The second part of the program begins with the approval of the research topic and writing a dissertation prospectus – a kind of abstract. It is evaluated by the university. Each student is assigned several advisors (committee of supervisors / advisors) with similar research interests, one of whom is appointed as the thesis supervisor (principal advisor / dissertation director). In some programs it is mandatory to perform administrative or teaching work and publish in scientific journals. The final stage is a presentation and oral defense of the dissertation.
  • Most graduate schools award graduates a traditional PhD degree. Some schools also offer professional DBA, EdD, JD, MD degrees. Doctoral degrees in medicine and law are quite specific and are usually not recognized in other countries. International students should only consider these fields if they plan to live and work in the U.S. upon graduation.

A master’s degree is not always required for admission to a PhD program in the US. The reason is that Master’s and PhD programs are often merged into one graduate program. Sometimes students are awarded a Master’s degree at the end of the first stage of the PhD program. For those who already have it, universities may give credit and shorten the PhD program.

The average grade point average at previous levels of education is usually not the main criterion, but it can also be taken into account. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is considered a good result.