How long from end of Masters to start of Doctorate

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by John Bear, Dec 28, 2009.

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How long from end of Master's to start of Doctorate (actual or intended)

  1. Have or will soon get Master's, no Doctorate planned.

    10 vote(s)
    16.7%
  2. Continuous process; no gap.

    15 vote(s)
    25.0%
  3. A year or two.

    15 vote(s)
    25.0%
  4. 3 to 5 years.

    2 vote(s)
    3.3%
  5. More than 5 years.

    14 vote(s)
    23.3%
  6. Age at completion of Msster's: 25 or less

    4 vote(s)
    6.7%
  7. Age at completion of Msster's: 26-34

    23 vote(s)
    38.3%
  8. Age at completion of Msster's: 35-50

    14 vote(s)
    23.3%
  9. Age at completion of Msster's: Over 50

    7 vote(s)
    11.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Often, when people report completion of a Master's (as rabbuhl just did), the matter of going on for a Doctorate arises. I have not seen data on this situation and would be interested in knowing more, hence this informal poll, for Master's-holders (or those who are close). The poll has 2 questions: time, and age, so you can make 2 checks.

    I suspect that there is an age factor, although I'm not sure which way it would go: younger people anxious to get out into the job market thus delaying thoughts of a Doctorate . . . or the reverse: chug on through, and do all the degrees before launching.

    I was the former: finished Bachelor's at 21, Master's at 22, started Ph.D. that fall. My wife was the latter: finished Bachelor's at 22, Master's (on line) at 39, started Ph.D. at 45.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 28, 2009
  2. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    Interesting question, it will be nice to see some of the replies. As for me:
    Bachelor's at 26, MBA at 28, two year break and Ph.D at 30.
     
  3. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Trent's signature includes, "Six Sigma Black Belt- Kaplan Univ"

    I can't believe that I was unfamiliar with this intriguing process, especially as I've been a real fan of Deming's work. A clear and well-balanced article on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Sigma.

    The target is 3.4 negative outcomes per million events: impossibly high for a marketing campaign but maybe too low for making pacemakers. On this forum, 3.4 shills and spammers per million members would be admirable.

    It would be nice, at some point, to read Trent's (and others?) views on the Kaplan process.
     
  4. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    I recognize that it depends somewhat on the discipline but in my field (counseling/psychology) I believe that those who go from MA to PhD without any practical experience are at a disadvantage.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I got started on the degree path a little late in life. There was some overlap where I was working on the COSC bachelors and the CCU MBA at the same time and the last two classes or so of the CCU MBA and the first class of the TUI MS at the same time. There was also the overlap of the PhD program and the grad certificate. I finished the MS program and took a 3 month break and went into the PhD program.

    U.S. Army Bio-Medical Repair School finished at 24
    AA finished at 33
    BS (CCU) finished at 34
    BS (COSC) finished at 35
    MBA (CCU) finished at 36
    MS (TUI) finished at 37
    PhD started at 37 and still going
    Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Risk Management finished at 40
     
  6. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    As for me:

    Bachelor of Science (Troy University) - 2006 @ 22
    Master of Science (Southern Methodist University) - 2010 @ 26
    Ph.D (aiming for Columbia, NYU, Darthmouth, Northwestern) start fall 2011 @ 28

    However, maybe Argosy, NCU, Capella, Colorado Tech...start summer 2010 @ 26.
     
  7. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I think this holds true with business as well. I found the courses in my MBA program that were taught by professors with purely academic/research experience weren't very useful for people that were going to be practitioners.

    BS @ 23, MBA @ 30, not intending to pursue a doctorate any time in the near future.
     
  8. scaredrain

    scaredrain Member

    I finished my Associates degree at age 20. I received both my Bachelors degrees simultaneously at age 25. I received my first Masters degree at age 26 and my second Masters degree at age 27. I should receive my Ed.D at the age of 31. I did take some time off to start a doctorate and drifted from a few programs until settling at Capella. I also worked on both my Master degrees concurrently but took a summer off for the second one.
     
  9. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    That's quite a disparity between the two sets of schools you're considering for your PhD. Out of curiosity, how did you compile those two lists of schools? What area do you intend to do your doctoral research in?
     
  10. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Well, the first set requires GRE and subject GRE. Therefore, I need time to study and take the exams...besides, the deadline for admission in January. Also, I have to quit my job in order to attend those schools if I am accepted. BTW, maybe I can get full-ride by using Post 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program.

    The second set if I don't want to take GRE exams, don't quit my job, and can apply at anytime.

    I am aiming for Ph.D in Computer Science, Economic, or Business Administration w/ Finance.
     
  11. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    Cool. That explains it.

    For what it's worth, Dartmouth doesn't offer PhD's in economics or business administration, though you probably knew that since it's one of the schools on your list.
     
  12. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    oh...Darthmouth College 's Ph.D in Computer Science.
     
  13. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    BA by age 22
    MBA by age 30
    Presently age 47 and no doctorate started.

    But I love to haze people and ask: When do you start your doctorate? :D
     
  14. jayncali73

    jayncali73 New Member

    BS @ age 34

    MS @ age 36

    Would like to begin a doctorate by age 38. But not sure.
     
  15. ITJD

    ITJD Guest

    BA at 27
    BS at 34
    MBA at 37
    JD at 40
    PhD or DBA or JSD at 45

    That's the plan. Painful, but rewarding at the end. I'm currently 37 with a few more months to the MBA.
     
  16. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    Somehow it seems "smart" to have a resume like this:

    BA @ 21
    MA @ 24
    5 years of clinical experience including state and national licensure
    PhD started @ 29
    worked as clinical director of counseling agency (taking care of practicum and internship requirements)
    PhD completed @ 34

    If I were on a hiring committee (oh, wait; I am!), then I think I'd rank someone with experience higher than someone with:

    BA @ 21
    MA @ 23
    PhD @ 26
     
  17. Go_Fishy

    Go_Fishy New Member

    Well, mine was BA equivalent 23, MA 25, now Ph.D (be done with 29/30 hopefully). ;)

    I know that many non-traditional students think differently, but my own education and interests have always been much more important to me than what employer XY might think about my resume. I don't think this ever put me at a disadvantage in terms of employment. (And if so, boo-hoo. There are many jobs out there...)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 29, 2009
  18. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    BA @ 23
    MTS @ 27
    Projected: MA/MPhil @ 31?
    Projected: PhD @ 36?
     
  19. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    If there is interest, I'd be happy to share my experiences in a seperate thread.

    On a side note, Google "Six Sigma and Motorola" (or GE) for a lot of very well done research on the subject.
     
  20. nobycane

    nobycane New Member

    Finished my B.S. @ 30 (2004)
    then proceeded to take some grad courses then decided on a M.S. which was completed in 2007 @ 33.
    Ironically my grad advisor/chair urged and convinced me to go directly into my doctorate the following term after recieving the Masters...I ok, but I wanted to take off one semester for mental recouperation ....after that started officially in Jan 2008...still working on it - will be ABD in May 2010, with a set defense sometime in March 2011...which then I will be 36.
     

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