关于Master和PHD学位如何选择，一直以来都众说纷纭，大家都是仁者见仁智者见智，但绝大多数学生和家长乃至专业的留学咨询机构都只是按照自己的惯有思维及理解来看待这个问题。以下是美国的一所大学给出的官方解释，还是很有参考价值的，大家可以在选择就读的学位时作为参考意见。原文如下：

Master's Degree:
A master's degree generally takes 2, sometimes 3, years to complete. The program entails coursework and exams, and, depending on field, an internship or other applied experience (for example, in some fields of psychology). Whether a thesis is required to obtain the masters degree depends on the program. Some programs require a written thesis, others offer an option between a thesis and comprehensive exam.

An important way in which master's program differ from many, but not all, doctoral programs is in the level of financial aid available to students. Most programs do not offer as much aid to master's students as doctoral students, and so students often pay most if not all of their tuition.

The value of the master's degree varies by field. In some fields, like business, a master's is the unstated norm and necessary for advancement. Other fields do not require advanced degrees for career advancement. In some cases, a master's degree may hold advantages over a doctoral degree. For example, a master's degree in social work may be more cost effective than a doctoral degree given the time and funds required to earn the degree and the pay differential.

PhD Programs:
A doctoral degree is obviously a more advanced degree. However, it takes time. Depending on the program, a PhD could take 4-8 years to complete. Typically a PhD in North American programs entails 2-3 years of coursework and a dissertation, which is an independent research project designed to uncover new knowledge in your field and be of publishable quality. Some fields, like applied psychology, also require an internship of one year or more.

Most doctoral programs offer various forms of financial aid, from assistantantships to scholarships to loans. The availability and forms of aid vary by discipline (e.g., those in which faculty conduct research sponsored by large grants are more likely to hire students in exchange for tuition) and by institution. Students in some doctoral programs earn master's degrees "along the way."

Which degree is right for you?
I have no easy answer. It depends on your interests, field, motivation, and career goals. Read more about your field and consult faculty advisors to learn more about which option will fit your career goals. Consider:

·         What types of jobs to master's and doctoral degree holders have? Do they differ? How?

·         How much will each degree cost? How much will you earn after obtaining each degree? Is the outcome worth the cost?

·         Are you interested enough to pursue many years of schooling?

·         Will earning a doctoral degree offer a substantial benefit in your employment and advancement opportunities?

Choosing Among Graduate Programs

What graduate programs will you apply to? What graduate program will you ultimately attend? Selecting a graduate school entails many considerations, much more than just what field.  Although you know what you want to study at the graduate level, you may not be aware that there are differences between graduate programs, both in academic goals and practical philosophies.  In deciding on a graduate school, you may want to spend some serious time thinking about your own precise goals and directions, and use that knowledge to weigh differing graduate programs before you decide where to attend. 

First, consider the basic facts when selecting a graduate school.  The location, the cost, and the types of programs offered are the most commonly cited considerations by most potential graduate students.   What many students may not know, is that even though different schools may offer similar programs, many academic departments have very clear and specific goals for their students and graduates that can be very unlike a comparable schools graduate program.  

To make the most of your education, and of your future beyond, it is worth the time to compare departments, learn about the professors and their teaching goals, their fields of expertise, and what sort of expectations the department hold for their graduates.  Ask questions:

·         Does the program emphasize theory or practice?

·         Where do graduates go?

·         Do graduates go into academia or into “the real world”?

·         Do they have fields of specialization within the department, or is it a general degree?

Additionally, if you are considering a number of different departments that seem equally attractive, take some time to look over their class offerings, deciding if any one program has classes that hold a particular appeal for you or seem to be particularly important in helping you meet your own personal goals. 

Whether you’re working on a professional degree, or an academic degree, take some time to look into a department’s reputation.  Are most of its graduates placed afterwards? Are there opportunities to teach? Are there additional educational perks such as proximity to conferences, a professional journal, or opportunities to become published in your field?  The Internet is a particularly useful tool for scanning the staff of colleges and universities across the country to see what schools the professors hail from. 

You might also  take the time to interview the so-called professional movers and shakers your field and ask them for useful information.  Where did they go to school?  What kind of experience do they look for in that field and what schools to they feel provide that experience best?    While it’s true that one can never have too much information, it’s also a wonderful way of networking with the people that may some day become valuable connections.

There are so many things to consider when selecting your graduate program.  While it may seem time intensive and at times overwhelming, putting in that time and effort before going into a graduate program will pay off handsomely.  When it comes time to hang that sheepskin on the wall and begin the next step into your future, you will find yourself more focused and prepared for that wide, wide world.

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