Does anyone have an idea where you can earn a Doctorate degree without having a Masters? The speciality of interest is Business or Public Administration or closely related. Thank you.
No master's needed Generally, you don't need a master’s degree for get into a doctorate program. However, I think sometimes the Master’s degree is a good way to know if someone is cutout to be in a doctorate program.
JamesT, Zaya is correct in that you do not generally need a Master's as a requirement to enter a PhD program. Northcentral Univ. (http://www.ncu.edu) has an online PhD Business program, which you may complete 100% via distance learning (even the dissertation and oral defense!). - Tom
Capella University www.capella.edu and Walden University www.waldenu.edu also offer direct admission to the doctorate.
As others have noted, there are a number of programs that do not require a graduate degree. This does not mean less time or work will be required. Pre-doctoral graduate work does not typically duplicate the work you would do for a doctorate. I get the impression that some people think it would save time or money to "skip" the Masters degree. In actuality, you would still do the same amount of work, just with no degree in the short term (like "skipping" an Associates degree on your way to a bachelors degree).
Re: Re: Doctorate Degree w/o Masters While it is possible to earn a doctorate without a master’s, you will end up doing the same amount of work required to earn a master’s and a doctorate in the end. Do yourself a favor; earn a master’s first and then apply those credits towards the completion of a doctorate. Most of the doctoral programs I looked into will allow you to transfer 30 graduate credits (i.e. a master’s degree) into the program. Besides, you will kick yourself later if you washout of a doctoral program and have nothing to show for it except for an ABD status.
Re: Re: Doctorate Degree w/o Masters If you do not have a Master's degree upon entering doctoral programs at these schools, your doctoral program will include the equivilent of a Master's program while those entering with a Master's degree will not. That is the norm, as has been indicated by others.
Most universities in the UK will allow you to enter a doctoral program without a master's degree. Additionally, some award a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree after sucessful completion of the first year. If you don't make it through the doctoral program, you still leave with a master's. Although I already have a master's degree, I got another one after my first year of doctoral studies.
Re: Re: Re: Doctorate Degree w/o Masters Ah, yes, yes, indeed! I had just gotten done explaining that very thing ... but, alas ... that was on another thread!
Scott, Which university awarded you a Masters after your first year of your doctoral studies? Was it an online doctoral program?
One downside to earning an MA on the way to a PhD - many (most?) PhD programs (full time anyway) fully support students. If you enter as an MA student, you will most likely NOT be supported.
I don't think this is as much of a concern in distance education. A fully supported PhD program is probably a rare animal in the DL world.
Re: Re: Re: Doctorate Degree w/o Masters You could look at the other side of the coin and apply to a PhD program, but if you decided to drop out, switch to the master's.
If you plan on entering a doctoral program that accepts 30 credits in transfer, there is no advantage in "skipping" the masters degree. In general, no time or money will be saved in entering a program that does not award a Masters degree after the first 30-36 credits.
