Do you Need a Master’s to Get a PhD?

Last Updated on: 12th June 2024, 03:27 am

In the traditional academic model, at least in the United States, you get an undergraduate degree, followed by a master’s degree, and then finish your academic journey by getting a PhD. However, that isn’t the only way.

Do you need a master’s degree to get a PhD? The short answer is no; it is possible to get a PhD without a master’s (I did). However, there are some important caveats. 

Do You Need a Master’s to Get a PhD? The History

The system of higher education in the United States evolved from the system established in the United Kingdom. Historically in the U.K., a student could get an undergraduate degree and then enroll in a PhD program — no masters degree needed.

In this situation, however, the PhD program was a little different than those found in the U.S. Students came into these programs with a research question or idea and spent their time developing the idea and performing the study under the guidance of a supervisor and a committee. There were very few required courses.

PhDs today remain focused on research (that’s how they differ from professional doctoral designations, like the Ed.D., the Psy.D., or the DBA). Now, though, doctoral programs provide an education in how to do research in the particular field as part of the matriculation process for the PhD, along with courses with program-relevant content for both the professional doctorate and research doctorate.

Today: Professional Master’s Programs

Do you need a master’s to get a PhD today? Not always.

In some disciplines, there are professional master’s programs that are considered terminal degrees. In business, the MBA is thought of as a terminal degree. In accounting, the MS in taxation is similar, as is an MFA for artists. 

These degrees are designed for real-world, practical purposes. They are not meant to be a scaffold that provides the underpinning for a PhD.

So it is not unheard of in fields where there are professional master’s degree programs for students to enter a PhD program without a master’s degree. 

How I Got a PhD Without a Master’s

In my case, I was about halfway through an MBA when it dawned on me that what I really wanted to do was teach and do research, so I applied for and switched into the PhD program. 

(I told myself that I would eventually finish up the last three MBA classes. I never quite got there, because there was no real need or requirement to do so.) For me, this was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

A recent modification in this area is the rise of the DBA – Doctorate in Business Administration. With the proliferation of the MBA degree, a demand arose for a degree that demonstrated knowledge and dedication beyond the MBA. This brought about the rise of the DBA program. Since a DBA is meant to imply something more than an MBA, most programs will require an MBA for entrance.

Within the field of business, it seems to depend upon which type of doctorate you are looking for. There is a path to a doctorate both with or without a master’s degree.  

Should You Get a PhD Without a Master’s?

In most fields, the major distinction of the PhD is the research focus. A master’s in public health will prepare you to be, say, an administrator at a community not-for-profit. A PhD in public health will set you on a course of policy analysis or program evaluation.  

It’s similar in most fields, and so what you’d be missing by going directly to the PhD would be the direct services focus that the master’s degree traditionally offers.  It’s not just a matter of what you ultimately want to do, it’s a matter of knowing the ins and outs of the field from a service provider perspective.

Getting a PhD Without a Master’s: Humanities Programs

Do you need a master’s to get a PhD in the humanities fields? Here, students don’t have the same opportunities afforded by the professional degree programs.

In traditional liberal arts programs such as history, English, and sociology, the path to a PhD is traditionally through a master’s program. Schools design programs to fit together, so entering a PhD program without a master’s would leave a student at a significant disadvantage. Most social sciences programs would not accept a bachelor-level student into a PhD program without a lot of compelling reasons to do so.

Getting a PhD Without a Master’s: Social Sciences Programs

There are programs designed to go from the BS to the PhD, and one of these is psychology. Many universities admit bachelor-level students into their psychology doctoral programs, intentionally bringing their students through an entire course of study. So you don’t need a master’s degree to get a PhD in these programs.

Such an approach benefits the university by ensuring that the graduate education they receive is consistent; they teach everything from the ground up.  That way, their students start from zero and grow together, all on the same page.

While this may sound exciting, the catch is that these programs usually take much longer than other PhD programs, in which students arrive with a master’s degree already in hand.  Expect to spend a minimum of five years in such a program; often several more.

Getting a PhD Without Master’s: “Hard” Sciences Programs

Most programs in the hard sciences – disciplines such as chemistry, biology, and physics – require a master’s degree to get into a PhD program. These programs require great amounts of time in a lab, and the basis for lab work is developed in master’s programs. 

Even if you could go directly to a PhD program from undergraduate school, most people who have completed programs say that you will get more from your degree if you enter having completed a masters program.

Pros and Cons of Getting a PhD Without a Master’s

As with most opportunities, there are pros and cons to getting a PhD without a master’s degree.  Here is a general summary:

Pros of Getting a PhD Without a Master’s

• Less time in school could mean less cost 
• You may be able to get to your ultimate profession faster
• Work on your research agenda could begin sooner

Cons of Getting a PhD Without a Master’s

• You will may not have the breadth of understanding needed for graduate work when you initially enter the PhD program
• You may realize in a Master’s program that another direction is better for you, and you will save time and money by switching before you get the terminal degree.
• It may be harder to find faculty members who are ready to mentor you if they suspect you don’t have the expertise in writing or research you would have gained in a master’s program.

Do You Need a Master’s to Get a PhD? Summary

Depending upon your discipline, getting a doctoral degree without a master’s degree is possible.

Before you move forward searching for doctoral programs that do not require a master’s, recognize that there is usually no way around a lot of hard work.  Here are some questions to consider as you decide which way to go:

• Do you already have experience in research and writing, even without a master’s degree?
• Are you going into a field that has a tradition of taking students from BS to PhD?
• Is the school you’re interested in open to applicants who do not have a master’s degree?
• Are you prepared to explain (maybe many times) why you chose to skip the master’s degree?
• Are you prone to feelings of inadequacy or “imposter syndrome” that will be exacerbated by having less education than your peers in the program?
• What is your ultimate goal?  Would a master’s degree get you working in the field quicker and give you experience that might serve you in your doctoral research?
• If you want a job at a university or in a particular field after completing your doctorate, how will your curriculum vitae compare to someone who does have a master’s degree in the field?
• How certain are you that this is the field for you?  Might a master’s degree help you decide, before you commit to the rigors of a PhD program?

Most of all, the important thing to know is that getting a PhD is not easy. There are aspects of the research doctorate, particularly the dissertation, that make it a much higher hurdle than the master’s degree. Many people (about half in the U.S.) who begin PhDs drop out, often finishing all but their dissertation. That number is much lower for students in master’s degree programs.

Regardless of how you decide to move forward, you are ready to embark upon an exciting educational process. Good luck!