Where to start for funded masters / PHD programs?

[kawasakiguy37]

Im looking to go to grad school but preferably would like to get into a program where I would receive some sort of stipend to pay for tuition/rent with. Or at least tuition. Whats the best way to start looking for these kinds of programs? Ive looked at various programs across different schools, but its often hard to discern which is which....

[Eigen]

Generally, in the sciences (moreso in physical than biological), masters programs are mostly unfunded, and PhD programs are mostly funded.

Most programs should have a portion where they mention what funding they offer.

[MeanderingPhD]

I think it might be helpful if you say the general field you're interested in.

I have a masters in a physical science and I was fully funded.

[dithius_9]

Do you want a masters or a PhD? It's not really possible to talk about funding before deciding this. In general masters are funded only for the lucky few who manage to secure merit-based fellowships or competitive TA slots, and even then only on a year-to-year or semester-to-semester basis. Getting funded for even one term for a masters is great, but is generally no indication of what will happen next term. With a masters *expect* to be unfunded, and rejoice when you are funded. PhD students however can get admitted with much more stable funding arrangements. Often a department will guarantee x number of years (like 1-5) of funding though fellowships/TAs, and leave it up to the student to fill in the rest with nationally competitive awards. Because you are making much more of a time/career commitment for a PhD than a masters, you really shouldn't settle for anything less than a few years of guaranteed funding (exception being you are filthy rich, which given your original question I presume you are not)

For a PhD it's very difficult I believe to try to narrow schools ahead of time by what their finding options are as you are generally not privy to the departmental funding opportunities available until you actually get you acceptance letter. Average departmental funding is wholly irrelevant. All that matters is what *you* are offered, and that is entirely dependent on how much they want you. When it comes to nationally competitive awards to fill in the gap years, you have generally the same chances no matter what school you are at, so it doesn't matter so much where you are as who you are.

Point is, for a masters, it does pay to scout-out what are your chances to snag a TA or a temporary departmental fellowship by talking to the secretary and fellow students. For a PhD, you just need to apply and see what happens - with an offer in hand you should have a pretty definite idea what to expect funding-wise.

[kawasakiguy37]

Im looking to pursue a degree in the environmental sciences / earth system sciences field. PHD would be nice, but its a lot of dedication. Ideally though, Id love to have a PHD. Sounds like I should try to find a few specific masters programs that might fund me, and then apply to PHD programs everywhere else?

[Eigen]

From my experience, you will end up paying out of pocket for a masters in those areas, predominately. Not only are stipends rare, tuition isn't as routinely waived for a masters as it is for a PhD.

It's all a tradeoff.... A PhD is more commitment, but they fund you accordingly.

[UnlikelyGrad]

Im looking to pursue a degree in the environmental sciences / earth system sciences field. PHD would be nice, but its a lot of dedication. Ideally though, Id love to have a PHD. Sounds like I should try to find a few specific masters programs that might fund me, and then apply to PHD programs everywhere else?

At my school, the geology department has a bunch of TA slots but the environmental science dept only has 2 or 3 grading positions (for 40-50 grad students). This is not to say that you couldn't get into a master's program, funded as an RA--but you'd have to seek out a prof who had lots and lots of funding. I know my sister has funded MS students before when she was feeling flush.

[MeanderingPhD]

I highly doubt you will have to pay out of pocket for a masters in an environmental-related field. I have friends in various departments at a number of schools in this field and they all got a RA or a TA. When I applied for my masters program every school I applied to offered me funding so I am not sure why there is this notion that funding is so unheard of...

Get the masters first and then decide if you want a Ph.D.

A few months before you submit you application start emailing professors you might like to work with. This way you get to pseudo know the professor, find out if there is funding, and if that professor really wants you they can make deals to ensure that you get funding.

[kawasakiguy37]

Thanks guys, this was a lot of help. Now I just have to find the right program!