Programs Can You Pursue a PhD Without a Master's Degree?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the acceptance of students with only a bachelor's degree into Ph.D. programs, particularly in physics. It highlights that different countries and universities have varying requirements for Ph.D. enrollment. In the United States, many Ph.D. physics programs accept students directly from a bachelor's degree, allowing them to complete two years of coursework typically associated with a master's degree before beginning dissertation research. This approach contrasts with practices in other countries, where a master's degree may be a prerequisite for Ph.D. admission. The conversation emphasizes the diversity of academic pathways and the rationale behind these differing admission standards.
EternityMech
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How is this possible? Why are they accepting people with only bachelors degree to enroll in the program?
 
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You're still required to take the courses you'd have to take to get a master's, so it's not like you get to "skip" anything. :smile:
 
EternityMech said:
Why are they accepting people with only bachelors degree

Who are "they?"

Different countries, and sometimes different universities in the same country, and even different deparements in the same university, have different paths to the Ph.D.

In the USA, most (not necessarily all) Ph.D. physics programs normally accept students (at least ones from the USA) only directly from a bachelor's degree. They do about two years of coursework which would in other countries be taken as part of a master's degree, and then start on their dissertation research.
 

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