Online Masters and PhD programs are great ways to augment your expertise, conduct research into your industry, and accelerate your career. But when it comes to picking a postgraduate degree there are some variations in trends amongst different parts of the world. i Some countries allow students to enrol in a PhD program without a Masters degree, while others don’t.ii This can make one wonder; is a Masters not necessary for a PhD?
The short answer to that is well, no. You do not always have to acquire a Masters degree to enrol in a PhD program, particularly in the USA and Canada. But most advisors would recommend you get a Masters first. There are more than a few reasons to choose the Masters to PhD route, especially for business fields.iii
First, if you enter a PhD program before getting a Masters degree or an MBA then you might be unprepared. You might also not have enough real-world experience which is vital for business studies. That can make it tougher for you to do research, learn about theory, and link it to practical application.
Currently, there is a 43.4% drop-off rate amongst PhD students across multiple fields. Various factors contribute to this such as age when starting the program, length of PhD program, and funding. The research showed that doctoral degree completion was associated with higher grades in the Masters program.iv
Secondly, Masters degrees are often cheaper than PhD degrees and less competitive as well.v This makes Masters a better option if you have limited funds or if you want to scale your career quicker. You might be able to get to a managerial-level post with Masters and enjoy a fruitful career.
Undergraduate and postgraduate studies are widely different. This makes students with a Masters degree or MBA better-suited candidates for a PhD program.
These days some online Masters programs offer their students the facility of direct entry into a relevant Doctorate or PhD program after successful completion of their online Masters programs. This is a great incentive to join a Masters program.
Get Your Masters Degree Online
PhD programs are a huge undertaking. These can be exhausting so you should ensure that you are fully prepared for this program before you apply. People often bypass the Masters degree to join a PhD program because it saves time and resources. Since the in-person Masters degree might take up to 2 years and then the in-person PhD can take 3-8 years.vi
Online education has made postgraduate studies much more accessible and quick. You can complete one of SNATIKA's online Masters degrees in 12 months and a PhD in approximately 2 years [Lengths can vary as per different programs]. While studying online you can also save a lot on travel and accommodation expenses. You could enrol in SNATIKA's prestigious online Masters program and avail yourself of such advantages. So, go ahead and acquire SNATIKA's international Masters from the comfort of your home!