master out phd

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Mastering Out — How and When?

“Mastering Out….What’s the best way to do this? Who do you tell first? Your advisor? An administrator in the program? When is the right time?” –Anonymous

The following people and online forums were invaluable in writing this blog post: Elba Moise, Ph.D. candidate, College of Education Jaye Sablan, assistant director, Core Programs Rebecca Aanerud, former dean, the Graduate School Reddit/r/GradSchool // GradCafe // YCombinator

Thank you so much for writing in. I know this is a big decision that likely carries a lot of emotional weight. I hope this post will help you think through your options and make a decision that is best for you.

It seems there are two parts to your question: How do I know if I should master out? And, if I decide to master out, how should I go about it?

Let’s tackle the first part — when is the right time — first.

The truth is that there are no right or wrong reasons, or right or wrong times, to master out. But there are resources and strategies to help you figure out your motivations for mastering out, and whether you want to act on them.

1. Consider whether your frustrations with graduate school are temporary or fixable . Is your interest in mastering out due to frustrations about something that you might be able to change — for example, the projects you’re working on or the classes you’re T.A.ing? If so, consider approaching your advisor to discuss some of these issues. If you think it might be a difficult conversation, the Office of the Ombud is a great place to help you prepare.

Making healthy changes for yourself in your program before deciding to master out will help you feel more confident down the road that you made a thoughtful decision. If possible, you might consider taking a leave of absence so you can take time away from graduate school to reflect.

2. Chat with trusted people in your circle (friends, family, mentors) about why you are considering mastering out. Reach out to individuals whom you know will listen without judgement and support decisions that work best for you and your needs. You might find it helpful to process this decision with a counselor in the Counseling Center , and/or a career coach in the Career & Internship Center  ( Jon Olivera has expertise specifically in grad student development). 

3. Read blogs and articles written by people who made the decision to leave their doctoral programs. See if their experiences resonate with you. In our own research, we found this post and this one (and many others) to be helpful. Hearing from these folks may help you think through your own motivations. One insightful post is even written by a UW alumni!

You might also consider the book Work Your Career: Get What You Want from your Social Sciences or Humanities Ph.D .  by Loleen Berdahl and Jonathan Malloy. It presents information for making informed decisions about graduate education, including leaving graduate school prior to the Ph.D.

4. Reflect on your own definition of success. Is it a job title, a salary, the impact of your work, having work/life balance? Will getting a Ph.D. set you up for success in the ways YOU define it? Success can mean staying in your program despite challenges, and it can also mean knowing when it’s no longer the right path for you.

Remember: Getting varied perspectives on the pros and cons of this decision for your health and wellbeing, for your career, and other factors is important — but try not to let too much input cloud your own voice.

Say you’ve made up your mind to leave with your master’s. What should you do?

Check the Master’s Degree Requirements and dates and deadlines for submitting paperwork for the Graduate School to make sure you are on track to obtain your master’s. You also need to connect with your Graduate Program Advisor to discuss the details of your program requirements. If you have further questions about the requirements, please contact the Graduate Enrollment Management Services .

Who to approach first – your advisor or an administrator – depends on you, your situation and reasons for mastering out. If you think you may be met with pushback from your advisor, it might be helpful to speak with an administrator inside or outside your department and have a set plan for mastering out before approaching your advisor. That way it is not so much of a question – “Should I master out?” – as a statement, “I’m mastering out for these reasons and here is what I need.”

Start applying for jobs. This is an opportunity for you to explore workplaces where you can try new things and apply the skills you’ve built in your program. This blog details how a former graduate student (and UW alumni) used informational interviews to explore career options before mastering out – and may be a source of inspiration for your own job search.  Handshake is a great resource for finding jobs and internships.

Please know that there is no shame in leaving a program with a master’s degree. This is your decision to make and you have every right to make it. Remember to take your time, show yourself compassion, and to trust your instincts.

Wishing you the best,

The Grad School Guide

Should I Pursue A Master’s or A Ph.D.?

The first step in deciding on the right graduate program for you is to figure out which degree will best serve you—a master’s or a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). Here are a few factors to consider.

What are your career goals?

• Professional master’s: A good choice if you want to develop a particular skill set in order to practice a particular profession. This type of degree provides coursework focused on learning and practicing skills.
• Research master’s: A good fit if you want to gain expertise in a discipline and know how to teach it. A research master’s typically includes a research project or thesis and comprehensive exams in addition to coursework and provides experience in research and scholarship.
• Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy): Consider this option if your goal is to ground yourself in a body of research and develop the ability to add to that body of knowledge. Ph.D. study includes a major research project in addition to coursework, and a Ph.D. is the highest scholastic degree awarded by American universities. Contrary to common perception, career paths for Ph.D. graduates are quite varied, not just limited to academia. Ph.D. training helps you hones skills such as writing, research, teaching, data analysis, communicating complex topics—all of which can translate into many sectors, including industry, government, nonprofit, and entrepreneurship.

See career data for Duke graduate programs' alumni

How much time do you have to pursue a graduate degree?

Master’s degrees typically take two years to complete, while Ph.D. programs generally take five to seven years ( see Duke programs' time-to-degree ). That is a significant difference in commitment and opportunity costs. It might also play a key role in deciding which factors take higher priority as you evaluate a program. How does the length of the program fit with your career and family plans? How important is the surrounding community if you are going to be there for seven years instead of two? How long are you able or willing to go on a limited income while in graduate school?

How much can you afford to pay for a graduate degree?

Consider your personal financial situation (e.g., how much savings and student loans do you have), as well as how much financial aid you can get. Master’s and Ph.D. programs differ greatly in the amount of financial aid available. Ph.D. programs tend to offer significantly more financial support than master’s programs (but often will have research or teaching requirements). 

A typical Ph.D. financial aid package usually includes coverage of tuition and fees, a living stipend, and some level of support for health insurance for a set number of years. For instance, Duke’s standard Ph.D. package covers tuition, mandatory fees, and a stipend for five years, as well as health insurance premiums for six years. 

Within an institution, the level of financial support often differs across programs, so be sure to ask your specific program about the financial aid it offers. There are also many national organizations that provide competitive fellowships and scholarships for graduate students.

Know which degree you want to pursue? Here are some key things to look for in a program .

Mastering Your PhD

Survival and Success in the Doctoral Years and Beyond

• Patricia Gosling 0 ,
• Lambertus D. Noordam 1

European Neuromuscular Centre, Baarn, Netherlands

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Physics (AMOLF), FOM Institute for Atomic & Molecular, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Packed with highly-valuable insights for doing or considering a PhD, especially in natural sciences

Enriched and expanded with new chapters on choosing the right team, interpersonal relations, group dynamics, and a hospitable work environment

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

131k Accesses

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Table of contents (24 chapters)

Front matter, choosing a research group: pluses and pitfalls.

• Patricia Gosling, Bart Noordam

Getting Started

Setting goals and objectives, how to think like a scientist, designing good experiments, charting your progress month by month, dealing with setbacks, mentors, leadership, and community, how to get along with your lab mates, et al., group dynamics: dealing with difficult colleagues, the art of good communication, mastering presentations and group meetings, searching the scientific literature, your first international conference, from data to manuscript: writing scientific papers that shine, celebrate your success, how to make the best of your annual evaluation, the final year: countdown to your thesis defence, writing your doctoral thesis with style.

• Graduate school
• Graduate student guide
• Organizing PhD work
• PhD student
• Planning a PhD thesis
• Social networking

Patricia Gosling

Physics (AMOLF), FOM Institute for Atomic & Molecular, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Lambertus D. Noordam

Book Title : Mastering Your PhD

Book Subtitle : Survival and Success in the Doctoral Years and Beyond

Authors : Patricia Gosling, Lambertus D. Noordam

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15847-6

Publisher : Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

eBook Packages : Humanities, Social Sciences and Law , History (R0)

Copyright Information : Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011

eBook ISBN : 978-3-642-15847-6 Published: 19 November 2010

Edition Number : 2

Number of Pages : XII, 240

Topics : Popular Science, general , Popular Science in Astronomy , Popular Science in Medicine and Health , Popular Science in Nature and Environment , Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary

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• 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 June 1, 2023.

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.

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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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Discover valuable resources to assist you in your program search and decision-making process.

Master’s vs. Ph.D.: What’s the Difference and Which One to Choose?

If graduate school is on your radar, one of the first things to consider is what type of degree you should pursue . While a bachelor’s degree is required for any postgraduate study, many people think you need a master’s to pursue a Ph.D., but that isn’t always the case. While there are benefits to receiving your master’s degree before your Ph.D., it’s not always necessary or required. However, there are important differences to note when deciding which type of program to apply to.

Master’s degree

A master’s degree usually takes about two years to complete full time. There are programs that allow a student to attend on a part-time basis, but that of course extends the completion time. Many master’s programs require a thesis to be completed, but not all. A thesis is a research project that is completed during the final year of a master’s program under the guidance of your program chair or advisor.

Under the master’s umbrella, there are quite a few specific degrees you can obtain. Your professional path will determine which of these you pursue.

• Master of Arts (MA) is given for disciplines in the arts and social sciences.
• Master of Science (MS) is given for sciences, health, engineering and statistics.
• Master of Research (MRes) is focused on training students to become researchers. This is advantageous to a student if they’re pursuing a research-based career or planning to apply for a Ph.D. program.
• Master by Research (MPhil) is similar to a MRes but is more advanced and focuses on research topics to be explored in depth. It’s often considered a precursor to a Ph.D. program.

Specialized master’s degrees

There are numerous specialized master’s degrees that are categorized by profession. These are often (not always) preceded by some professional experience prior to undertaking these types of advanced degrees.

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Library Science (MLS, MLIS, MSLS)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Education (MEd, MSEd, MIT, MAEd, MAT)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

There are many Ph.D. programs and, in general, it’s considered the most advanced type of research degree you can obtain. Ph.D. candidates are required to complete a dissertation to obtain their degree. Unlike a thesis, a dissertation is longer and consists of original research conducted throughout the entire doctoral study. In some cases, students may be awarded a stipend, or pay, to complete the doctoral program and dissertation.

Ph.D.’s take a considerably longer time to complete than a master’s, five to eight years on average, and they carry a rather high rate of noncompletion due to time and financial commitments. Many Ph.D. programs have stipends available, so it’s important to inquire about that when researching a particular program.

Specialized doctorate programs

As with master’s degrees, there are several specialized doctorate programs specific to different disciplines and areas of study:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD/PhD)
• Doctor of Education (EdD/D.Ed)
• Doctor of Social Science (DsocSci)
• Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf)
• Doctor of Architecture (DArch)
• Doctor of Theology (Th.D)
• Doctor of Divinity (DD/DDiv)
• Doctor of Science STEM (Dsc/ScD)
• Doctor of Science Arts & Humanities (DLitt/LitD)

When deciding which one to get, consider your immediate or long-term career goals — which degree would serve you best? In some cases, you can obtain a Ph.D. with just a bachelor’s degree, but often it’s recommended you get a master’s first for the research experience that will be required for a Ph.D.

As with anything, there are exceptions. Students in law school obtain a J.D. (Juris Doctor) but can then further obtain a master’s in a sub-specialty like tax or immigration law. The health care occupations of physical therapist and pharmacist are also doctorate programs obtained post undergrad.

Making your choice

As with any decision, weigh your options, list pros and cons, and go from there. Once you’ve narrowed your options , you’ll have a precise list of programs and institutions generated for your specific goals.

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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Special Master's Programs Can Lead to Med School

Completing such a program can strengthen your med school application.

Special Master's Programs and Med School

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For applicants that may have graduated years ago, had poor grades or taken an alternative career path before applying, the path to medical school is not so linear.

Getting into a U.S. medical school is no easy feat. With just around 40% of applicants matriculating, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, those applying must set themselves apart and be as competitive as possible.

For some, the path to medical school is a straight trajectory from college, but for others the path is not as linear. Applicants may have graduated years ago, had poor grades or taken an alternative career path before applying. To be competitive enough to gain admission, many consider a postbaccalaureate program, commonly referred to as a postbac, or a special master's program.

Special master's programs provide graduate-level courses and appear as a separate GPA in students' applications. They last one or two years and are designed with premed students in mind.

Schools that offer them understand that most students will be enrolling to strengthen their application to medical school. As such, they design the programs to replicate aspects of med school, including having students take courses along with first-year med students and sit for national medical exams.

Here's what to know about special master's programs to help you decide if enrolling in one is the next best step in your path to medical school.

Type of Degree Earned

Each program offers a different master's degree at the completion of the requirements. Students commonly receive a master's in medical sciences or a master's in medical physiology.

Keep in mind that medical school admissions committees are most interested in the type of coursework – the difficulty level and whether courses are similar to those taken by a first-year medical student – rather than the specific degree obtained.

How Med School Admissions Committees View Special Master's Programs

When you submit your American Medical College Application Service, or AMCAS, application, your undergraduate and graduate grades will be cumulated as separate GPAs . Each medical school has its own system when considering these GPAs, but in general, if an applicant has a low undergraduate GPA, a high graduate GPA will help compensate for this.

Medical schools tend to recognize special master's programs as more rigorous and representative of medical school than, say, an MBA or online Master of Public Health degree. Therefore, a 4.0 from a special master's program will most reflect your academic capabilities as a future medical student.

Benefits of a Special Master's Program

Most special master's programs offer a variety of activities with the goals of premed students in mind. Many provide research opportunities, which is helpful if this is a potential area of weakness in your med school application. They may also have opportunities for clinical experience and volunteer work.

In addition, many provide MCAT preparation and advising to ensure all areas of an application are in check.

Downsides of a Special Master's Program

Special master's programs are not for everyone. The programs can be costly, with tuition at some universities upward of $50,000 per year.

Additionally, you have to apply to these programs, and although they cater to premeds that have lower GPAs, acceptance is not guaranteed.

Students must also consider the timing of applying. For instance, if the degree length for a special master's program is one year, you ideally want to submit your medical school application after having completed the program – to demonstrate your success. This means that you would not matriculate into med school until a year after completing the program.

In addition, you should have all of your medical school prerequisite courses completed before the special master's program. This is because the program will offer coursework that may not satisfy requirements for general science courses such as organic chemistry or physics.

Who Should Consider a Special Master's Program

Let's look at a couple of real-life examples of students for whom a special master's program is an ideal route.

One student completed college with subpar grades. He finished his medical school prerequisites, but his overall GPA was a 3.4. In his case, if he performs well in a special master's program, he can show medical schools his true academic capabilities as he completes courses alongside current medical students.

Another student finished a biology major but took 10 years off from school and ran a business . She has her prerequisites completed but lacks research and medical-related activities. A special master's program is ideal for her because she can provide admissions committees with a more recent GPA and also has the opportunity to bolster her extracurricular activities through the program.

Ultimately, enrolling in a special master's program can greatly enhance your application to medical school. If you're struggling to gain acceptance to med school or want to strengthen your academic record before applying, a special master's program may be the next best step for you.

Where Famous Docs Earned Medical Degrees

Tags: medical school , graduate schools , education , students

About Medical School Admissions Doctor

Need a guide through the murky medical school admissions process? Medical School Admissions Doctor offers a roundup of expert and student voices in the field to guide prospective students in their pursuit of a medical education. The blog is currently authored by Dr. Ali Loftizadeh, Dr. Azadeh Salek and Zach Grimmett at Admissions Helpers , a provider of medical school application services; Dr. Renee Marinelli at MedSchoolCoach , a premed and med school admissions consultancy; Dr. Rachel Rizal, co-founder and CEO of the Cracking Med School Admissions consultancy; Dr. Cassie Kosarec at Varsity Tutors , an advertiser with U.S. News & World Report; Dr. Kathleen Franco, a med school emeritus professor and psychiatrist; and Liana Meffert, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine and a writer for Admissions Helpers. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Quick links, new uw-stevens point graduate program blends business and natural resources .

Since it created the first conservation major in the nation in 1946, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has been a leader in providing well-rounded and highly educated professionals to multi-faceted natural resources fields across the nation. 

With a newly revamped online Master of Natural Resources in Conservation and Leadership degree, UW-Stevens Point is offering natural resources professionals the opportunity to grow as a leader in their field by gaining the business management skills they need to advance while continuing to work full-time.  

This graduate program is 100 percent online and blends courses in business management with those in natural resources. Students also choose a certificate program to tailor the degree, with options such as water resources, applied management and environmental education and interpretation. 

Applications are now open for this fall. Students may begin in the fall or spring, with additional summer courses offered. Students may study part- or full-time, with courses that are asynchronous (at your own pace) and synchronous (time-based). 

The UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources (CNR) collaborated with the university’s Sentry School of Business and Economics to create a program that fits the needs of today’s natural resources professionals, said Brenda Lackey, associate dean for academic affairs within the CNR. 

“UW-Stevens Point’s Growth Initiative supported an analysis of those working in natural resources and found there is a need and demand for this kind of program,” said Lackey. “The overwhelming response from employees and our CNR alumni was that adding business and management courses to the degree would benefit both student and employee master’s degree candidates.” 

This program refocuses an online master of natural resources program that began in 2018. The CNR also offers an in-person, thesis-based Master of Science degree in natural resources. 

Nine business credits include courses on budget and project management and Lean Six Sigma management, while 12 natural resources credits include policy, research and ecology courses. 

“This new program is flexible for working adults looking for management skills,” said Nicholas Schultz, the graduate recruitment coordinator at UW-Stevens Point. “You don’t need to have a natural resources undergraduate degree to enter this program, so it also offers a career change for those interested in jobs with an environmental, sustainability or natural resources focus.” 

Scholarships are available, said Lackey, and additionally, the tuition is the same for in state and out-of-state residents, Lackey said. “This is a great opportunity for those living in Alaska or right here in Wisconsin.” 

Patrick Marschie, an alum of the online graduate program, credits it for helping him land his job as a cooperative forestry manager within the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

“This program opened up professional opportunities and gave me the tools to succeed,” he said. “I would not be in a natural resources management position without completing UWSP’s MNR program.” 

The program is one of the first to come out of UW-Stevens Point’s Growth Initiative, an aspect of the university’s strategic plan that has faculty working to create programming that meets the needs of today’s professionals and the global economy. 

“UW-Stevens Point is dedicated to providing vibrant programs that foster student success,” said Renee Pfeifer-Luckett, associate vice chancellor for program growth. “With the Growth Initiative, the university is extending our reach beyond our campuses by offering new online and graduate programs that cater to evolving learner needs.”

To learn more or apply for the Master of Natural Resources in Conservation and Leadership program, go to www.uwsp.edu/programs/degree/master-of-natural-resources-degree/ , attend one of the many upcoming information sessions or contact Schultz at [email protected] .

How a month inside a Swiss biotech changed the game for an AIBN PhD scholar

Tahmina Tabassum was pretty sure she knew how she wanted her PhD, and wider scientific career, to play out. Then she went to Switzerland.

For three months AIBN scholar, who works in the  Wolvetang Group , relearned what she knew about industry and entrepreneurship during a placement with biotech Azafaros BV , a whirlwind experience that included a stint at the company’s headquarters in Basel.

Set up through Tahmina’s PhD supervisor Professor Ernst Wolvetang – who has collaborated with Azarfaros in the past – Tahmina’s placement continues an AIBN tradition of exposing our researchers to rigors of real-world research and development.

“Before I had very little idea about what it's like in an actual pharma or biotech company. I have always been in academia, not in biotech startups,” Tahmina says.

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“But now I know, it's not as simple as it sounds. There's so much work that goes into bringing out just one translatable product that you don't even know might or might not succeed in the market.” 

Tahmina is a PhD candidate in Molecular Cell Biology, completing her master’s degree at Griffith University before moving over to the University of Queensland and the AIBN.

In the Wolvetang labs, Tahmina works closely with gene-editing tools. In Switzerland, none of her time was spent in the Azarfaros labs themselves.

Instead, she was tasked with gathering information on regulatory aspects of organoid models for use in preclinical drug development process.

By regularly embedding our scholars in domestic and international startups and biotechs, AIBN researchers like Tahmina are learning what it looks like to work at the frontline of science.

By her own account, Tahmina picked up a few tricks and tips that will serve her well long after her final thesis on safer gene editing systems is submitted.

Read on to see what Tahmina uncovered, and how it has changed her thinking on her PhD and where she is heading.

Welcome back Tahmina. First time to Switzerland?

I’d been to Zurich before, but only very briefly. Basel isn’t too far away from there actually. It is a great location business wise. You are only an hour away from Germany and France. Basel is a very historic place with the most dynamic life science cluster in Europe. It’s a lot smaller compared to the places I’ve lived but is well known as the hotbed of life science.

I’ve never lived in a small city, or somewhere where there aren’t many people who look like me or speak my language, so Basel was a unique experience. I believe putting yourself in different positions and scenarios is extremely important in building awareness of different work cultures, people and in gaining knowledge simply by seeing the world.

You cannot sit in one place and expect to incorporate ideas which will only come to you if you set foot outside where you already are. Comfort primarily doesn’t drive innovation.

You linked up with Azarfaros BV while you were over there? Who are they?

Azarfaros is a biotech that mainly focuses on finding cure to rare diseases. The CSO of Azafaros, Kyle Landskroner, has been our collaborator at Wolvetang Group and so we were able to set up an industry linked placement where I worked under his supervision for three months – including one month at their offices in Europe.

My PhD mainly focuses on genetic engineering, and a lot of gene editing projects look at mutations in rare diseases. So, it really aligned with what Azarfaros needed.

Initially, the idea was to help with scientific research in their lab in Netherlands but after some thought I took more of an office role in Switzerland, which proved to be a good idea and was indeed a game changer.

What do you mean by ‘office role’?

Well, I do a lot of work here in the AIBN labs and – while it's a new experience going to a lab in a different country - I would’ve been confined within the labs doing experiments and I wouldn't be developing transversal skills. 

So instead, my placement was based on a desk role where I researched into regulatory perspectives and guidelines from FDA, ICH, CDER and more around use of organoids. This was an entirely new role for me.

Achieving regulatory approvals for new drugs is central to the success of a pharma company or biotech company, and currently Azarfaros are going through this process for one of their lead compounds.

My project at Azarfaros was looking into how organoids, or stem cells technology, can play a role in regulatory approvals workflow in context to nonclinical trials.

Mainly I was investigating regulations and industry guidelines around stem cell technology, what's new and what's coming down the pipeline, especially in the wake of the FDA Modernization Act changes last year.

What’s the FDA Modernization Act?

Basically, it’s a piece of legislation in the US that now says animals are no longer mandatory for clinical trials, and that you can develop new approach methods to reduce the use of animals in trials. Of course, these new methods need to be validated and approved by FDA prior use.

Through my placement, I learned that although the Modernization Act is out there, it's still going to be a long time till people adapt these new trends into their research. And secondly, for organoids, I think there is still time for the technology to develop further.

So, I mean, it's good that the practice has started already. But there's still a long way to go before we can say that, yes, we have validated organoid models that can reduce animal testing. Or we can just use organoids and trust these results to get an orphan drug designation or an NDA.

Sounds like you covered a lot in a short time over there.

I learned so much about organoids during my time at Azarfaros. I laugh because I work in an organoid lab here at the AIBN, but I specialise in gene editing and my knowledge is limited to the science behind organoids or the research we do in lab. So, I recognised my gap in knowledge in terms of application and current trends in the organoid field.

Because I was trying to find out as much as I can about what is the status of organoids not just in research, but in industry, I had to reach out to people in the field to learn from them and meet them in person in Basel. It was a great way to build that skill to talk to people outside of your comfort zone. I can attest that this exercise remarkably improved my communication skills and confidence.

I must flag that I was on my own trying to find the relevant connections. I figured out the names myself. I figured out how to reach them myself in a country I’ve never lived in before. And I am thankful to my supervisor, Kyle, for placing this challenge instead of handing me out a list of his connections.

So even for that the experience was worth it because now I know if I really need to find someone or talk to, to get information, I can reach that person and speak without hesitation.

Who were some of the industry experts you were speaking with in Basel?

One day I went to the headquarters of pharma giant Roche and met someone who could help me a bit understand the dynamics of gene therapy and how Switzerland is going about it.

Another day, at University of Basel, there was a conference that was held on mRNAs that I attended. I met people from all around Switzerland, from Zurich, from Lausanne. And that was also a great learning and networking experience for me as there were people from all areas of the industry including Lonza, NanoVation, CSL Behring, WHO and more. The personal takeaway from that event was that there are numerous pathways you can steer your scientific career to after PhD beyond academia and experimentations.

I also met people from HUB Organoids in the Netherlands. And German company Evotec. All of these are companies I would have never reached out to because in my PhD, I am not required to talk to them.

Is science sometimes about who you know, instead of what you know?

I think it’s a balance. You need to have the prior knowledge to first start and get accepted into a PhD program.

But even getting into a PhD program is through sending emails to the right supervisors, reading their work, trying to find out who is offering a particular project that interests you.

It's a very competitive process. So, I feel like most people who do end up getting a PhD scholarship or get funded for their project, they already understand the importance of being able to talk to people, asking for opportunities, pushing yourselves out there.

And in my PhD, I have realised that it's so important to know people within the industry as well, because after your PhD, you're on your own. And these connections that you make help you take your next step.  

During your PhD, the university still guides you, your supervisors are guiding you. But after that, if you do a postdoc, or you want to move to industry, you are finding your own way, where both what you know and who you know is equally important. 

So it is during this time, you can make the most links, trying to understand who is involved in what kind of research, network both vertically and horizontally and maybe at some point, someone might have the right opportunity for you.

So yes, it's very important to have those kinds of collaboration. And even with UQ’s Liveris Academy, I’m networking with cross disciplinary people, you know, trying to find more opportunities for myself just by talking to people, being part of a network and understanding what they're doing.

Will this experience in Switzerland change how you approach your PhD?

I think it does change it, not just my approach to PhD but my outlook on having a career in science. It helped me realise my goals were maybe a bit dreamier, but now I feel like after coming back, I'm more thoughtful with my goals.

I know what it is possible to achieve and what will be uncertain, and that there is a big factor of luck involved. So, my perspective has changed a bit in that way.

I do want to continue to pursue industry linked projects and entrepreneurship - I do have a feel for it. I don't think I'm someone who would be super happy with a desk job, or super excited with working in the lab. I think with this experience, I kind of realised I like doing multiple things but mostly like to solve problems. I also realised that I like talking to people and doing this whole consultant kind of role.

I sure am a bit more relaxed after I came back in terms of setting realistic goals and understanding that everything I want might not come true. But, from this experience I’ve also learned that setbacks are temporary and there is always the next big thing waiting for you.

Targeting lasting osteoarthritis relief with injectable biolubricant

Making an impact in biotechnology: find out how the AIBN is enabling the future

• Targeting lasting osteoarthritis relief with injectable biol...

Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Khoury college of computer sciences, health informatics.

The Master of Science in Health Informatics prepares students to successfully address the combined clinical, technical, and business needs of health-related professions.

Northeastern’s interdisciplinary Master of Science in Health Informatics program was the first master’s program in the field. Our students graduate with the knowledge of how technology, people, health, and the healthcare system interrelate; the ability to use technology and information management to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes; and the skills to communicate effectively among healthcare practitioners, administrators, and information technology professionals.

The MS in Health Informatics program is a collaboration between the Bouvé College of Health Sciences and the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. The program offers a flexibly designed curriculum for both part-time and full-time students, combining core courses in healthcare systems and management with elective courses that span vital topics across the industry. Students are able to choose classes based on their interests and backgrounds; students from the healthcare industry are introduced to new technologies. An advisory board of industry professionals provides expert guidance in the program’s development and ongoing curricular advancements—the program remains at the leading edge of advances in the industry.

This interdisciplinary master’s degree program is designed for healthcare professionals with limited computing and information technology experience, as well as IT professionals with little knowledge of healthcare environments.

• The  Personal Health Informatics Concentration includes courses such as Creation and Application of Medical Knowledge, Computer/Human Interaction, Biostatistics in Public Health, and completion of a Thesis or Capstone Project.
• Health Informatics (Without Concentration)  requires courses associated with Business Management, Health Informatics, Technical (such as Biostatistics and Public Health), and a Capstone Project.
• The  Health Informatics Analytics Concentration  is offered in conjunction with Northeastern’s College of Engineering , offering electives such as Computational Modeling and Structured Data Analytics for Industrial Engineering, Healthcare Systems Modeling and Analysis, and Data Mining in Engineering. Required coursework include courses associated with Business Management, Health Informatics courses, Technical, and a Capstone Project.

More Details

Unique features.

• This MS program is designed for students with no clinical or technical experience as well as for people with experience in either discipline.
• The program can be completed with no concentration, with a concentration in Health Informatics Analytics or in Personal Health Informatics.
• Flexible course schedules and formats meet the needs of both working professionals and full-time students
• Faculty for this program are senior leaders in the field
• Coursework provides an academic pathway to the PhD in Personal Health Informatics
• Research capstone project allows students to make an active contribution to the field
• Health Informatics program graduates have a nearly 100% job placement within three months of graduation
• The program is STEM certified

Program Objectives

• Understand how information technology, people, health, and the healthcare system interrelate
• Use information technology and information management concepts and methods to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes
• Communicate effectively among healthcare practitioners, administrators, and IT professionals, and understand each group’s needs and constraints

Career Outlook

Health informatics is a rapidly evolving field—one in which jobs are projected to grow by 23% into 2020. As the healthcare system evolves, the ability to integrate technology into patient care is becoming increasingly imperative, creating great demand for professionals with knowledge of health sciences, computer science, and information technology. Northeastern’s MS in Health Informatics graduates have gone on to hold positions as clinical, data, business, technical, application, and security analysts, as project managers, and as CIOs, CMIOs, and directors of many prominent companies. Recent graduates hold positions at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Partners Healthcare, Beth Israel, Tufts Medical Center, Lawrence General Hospital, Humedica, and Verisk Analytics.

Testimonials

– sara khalil, ms ‘22, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Online application and fee
• Unofficial undergraduate/graduate transcripts; (you can submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended at the time of admission)
• Statement of purpose that should include career goals and expected outcomes and benefits from the program
• Recent professional resumé listing detailed position responsibilities
• Three confidential letters of recommendation
• Official TOEFL or IELTS examination scores (international students only)

International students are required to submit official transcripts to  World Education Services  for credentialing. Once you have received verification of your degree and transcript from WES, please forward to the address below.

Send all supplemental application materials to:

If you are mailing  from outside the U.S.,  please send your documents to:

Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences Applicant ID: XXXXXXX (insert your applicant ID number) Graduate Application Documents 360 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115 USA

If you are mailing  from inside the U.S. , please send your documents to:

Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences Applicant ID: XXXXXXX (insert your applicant ID number) Graduate Application Processing Center P.O. Box 1434 Portsmouth, NH 03802 USA

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the Bouvé College of Health Sciences admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Applicants must submit the online application and all required admission materials no later than the stated deadlines to be considered for admission. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Co-op makes the Northeastern graduate education richer and more meaningful. It provides master’s students with up to 12 months of professional experience that helps them develop the knowledge, awareness, perspective, and confidence to develop rich careers. In addition to the esteemed faculty, many students enroll in the master’s programs largely because of the successful co-op program.

Graduate students typically have an experiential work opportunity following their second semester. This could be a six- to eight-month co-op or a three- to four-month summer internship. Those who initially experience co-op may have the opportunity to seek an internship for the following summer, or vice versa.

Student participation in experiential education provides enhanced:

• Maturity, responsibility, and self-knowledge
• Technical expertise
• Occupational information
• Job seeking and job success skills
• Networking opportunities with those in desired career paths

Northeastern’s co-op program is based on a unique educational strategy which recognizes that classroom learning only provides some of the skills students will need to succeed in their professional lives. Our administration, faculty, and staff are dedicated to the university’s mission to “educate students for a life of fulfillment and accomplishment.” Co-op is closely integrated with our course curriculum and our advising system. The team of graduate co-op faculty within the Khoury College of Computer Sciences provides support for students in preparing for and succeeding on their co-ops.

These multiple connections make co-op at Northeastern an avenue to intellectual and personal growth: adding depth to classroom studies, providing exposure to career paths and opportunities, and developing in students a deeper understanding that leads to success in today’s world.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Jay Spitulnik

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Nursing and Healthcare alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Boston Medical Center

What They Do

• Healthcare Services
• Business Development
• Community and Social Services

What They're Skilled At

• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Management

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

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The Future of Fast Food: Claremont Graduate University Unveils a Revolutionary Master’s Program for In-N-Out Employees

In an unprecedented effort to redefine the landscape of the fast-food industry and higher education, Claremont Graduate University (CGU) is set to launch the Double-Double Degree Master’s Program in the fall of 2024.

This innovative quadruple master’s program, inspired by the legendary In-N-Out University, aims to nurture the next generation of industry leaders who will carry forward In-N-Out’s legacy of quality, innovation, and unparalleled customer service.

A Culinary Revolution Meets an Academic One

For decades, In-N-Out Burger has been an icon of the fast-food industry, celebrated not just for its delicious burgers but also for its unparalleled service standards and commitment to employee development. Meanwhile, CGU has established itself as a leader in transformative graduate education, pioneering research, and innovative teaching methods for nearly a century. To make this quadruple degree accessible to working professionals, CGU’s generous multi-degree unit policy reflects In-N-Out’s dedication to providing the highest quality product and service at an excellent value.

The Double-Double Degree Masters Program includes:

• Master of Applied Burgerology (MAB)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Positive Organizational Psychology
• Master of Public Health (MPH)

Mastering the Art of the Burger and Beyond

Drawing inspiration from Peter Drucker, the namesake of the Drucker School of Management at CGU, who famously said, “The best investment you can make is in your employees,” this program embodies the belief that nurturing talent is the cornerstone of success. Drucker’s wisdom resonates through the curriculum, emphasizing that “Culture eats strategy for breakfast… and I eat In-N-Out for lunch,” highlighting the importance of a positive, empowering work environment alongside strategic business acumen.

A Recipe for Success

What makes the program truly groundbreaking is its ability to blend rigorous academic training with practical, hands-on experience. Students will not only learn from leading academics and industry experts but also apply their knowledge in real-world settings, including In-N-Out kitchens, management offices, and local communities. This approach ensures that graduates are not just well-versed in theory but also ready to tackle the challenges of the fast-food industry head-on.

Future-Proofing the Future of Fast Food

This is more than just an academic program; it’s a bold statement about the potential to elevate the fast-food industry through education and innovation.

“We’re not just serving up burgers; we’re cooking up the future leaders of the fast-food industry and giving them the Secret Sauce to Success,” said CGU President Len Jessup.

This program stands as a testament to the transformative power of graduate education and its potential to enrich the employee experience at one of America’s most beloved companies. Join us on this delicious academic journey.