PhD Timeline: From Bachelor's Degree to Doctoral Completion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the timeline for completing a PhD in physics, specifically addressing the duration from obtaining a bachelor's degree and whether a master's degree is necessary before pursuing a PhD. Participants share their experiences and insights regarding the average timeframes and factors influencing the duration of doctoral studies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Personal experience

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that in the US, students typically enter a PhD program directly after completing their bachelor's degree, with the possibility of earning a master's degree along the way.
  • Others mention that the time to complete a PhD can vary significantly, ranging from four to seven years, influenced by factors such as the field of study and individual circumstances.
  • One participant shares their experience of taking seven years to complete their PhD in experimental high-energy physics, suggesting that the pace can depend on the research group's demands and personal circumstances.
  • Another participant states that their department averages 7.6 years for PhD completion, while another mentions an average of 5.5 years, indicating variability across different institutions.
  • Some participants express that a longer duration might allow for deeper engagement with research and learning, while others question the implications of extended timelines on personal circumstances, such as financial considerations.
  • There is a shared concern among participants about starting graduate studies later in life, with one participant asking if entering at 26 is considered older than average for graduate students.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the duration of PhD programs can vary widely, but there is no consensus on a definitive timeline or the necessity of a master's degree before starting a PhD. Multiple competing views on the average timeframes and personal experiences remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences highlight that the time to complete a PhD can depend on various factors, including the specific field of study, institutional policies, and individual circumstances. There are also references to personal preferences regarding the duration of studies and financial implications, which may not apply universally.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering pursuing a PhD in physics, especially those interested in the timelines and requirements of doctoral programs, as well as those who may be starting their graduate studies later in life.

Eric Cartman
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Hi.
I'm considering going into physics and I realize that while I can't be sure of anything, at the end a phd is very important for a physicist so I was wondering:
How long does it take to complete a phd? I don't mean from freshman. I mean if I already have a bachelor's degree, and do I need master's degree or I can just go ahead and work on phd once I have bachelor's?

Thanks.
 
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This depends on what country you're in.

In the US, it varies between about four and seven years, depending on which field you're in, whether it's experimental or theoretical, how much luck you have with your research work, etc.

Also, in the US, students who are aiming for a physics Ph.D. generally enter a Ph.D. program directly after finishing their bachelor's degree. After they've passed enough coursework they can pick up an M.S. along the way. There are also "terminal masters'" programs which do not lead on to a Ph.D. program, and are generally specialized in some way (e.g. applied physics) and are intended for a career in industry rather than in research.
 
Last edited:
and this time it takes from Bachelor's or Masters? Do you need to go through masters degree or you can start right after you get bachelor's?
 
Eric Cartman said:
and this time it takes from Bachelor's or Masters? Do you need to go through masters degree or you can start right after you get bachelor's?

Read ZapperZ's stickied post entitled "So, you want to be a physicist?"
 
Eric Cartman said:
and this time it takes from Bachelor's or Masters? Do you need to go through masters degree or you can start right after you get bachelor's?

From bachelor's. As I wrote in my previous post:

in the US, students who are aiming for a physics Ph.D. generally enter a Ph.D. program directly after finishing their bachelor's degree.
 
At my school the average is 5.5 years. One of the biophysics guys got done in 4 years (granted he worked his butt off). On the other hand, someone in my astro group took 7 years.
 
It took me seven years, in experimental HEP, five and a half years after I joined a research group. I could probably have finished a year earlier, but my research group wasn't in any hurry to kick me out so long as they had enough analysis work that I could do alongside my dissertation, to justify paying me. They even let me stay for a year after I finished, while I was job-hunting. So I was effectively a graduate student for eight years.
 
In my dept. (physics) the average is 7.6 years.
 
The longer, the better.
 
  • #10
Why is that?
 
  • #11
Matter of personal preference. Longer till interest acrues on loans, take time to enjoy your research instead of grinding on it, really soak up the material and learn the funding markets.
 
  • #12
So, it appears that 5 years is a pretty common number, while there can be exception.
It was important to me because I'm starting my studies pretty late compared to other people so I had know how long the entire process might take.

Thanks everybody!
 
  • #13
Eric Cartman said:
So, it appears that 5 years is a pretty common number, while there can be exception.
It was important to me because I'm starting my studies pretty late compared to other people so I had know how long the entire process might take.

Thanks everybody!

As of now my plans are to go to grad school and I won't be entering till I'm around 26. So this might be similar to you. Does anybody know if this is much older then most grad school freshman?
 
  • #14
I entered at 26 which put me as one of the older grad students but only by a year or 2 on average. That was in mech. engineering.
 

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