PhD Switch to Master, does it hurt?

[Asperation]

I am a new graduate student in Computer Science. I get PhD admission and am offered RA position.

I want to switch to master by the end of my first year. I am not sure whether it will hurt the professor who provides me the funding.

If it does, I am considering applying for a TA to fund myself. Should I work as RA for the first year and tell the professor my decision or work as TA for one year? Or what should I do to ensure that I get financial support during the first year before switching to Master's?

[Asperation]

Is there anyone whose friend also switch from PhD to Master? Common practice here in the US?

[ktel]

Why didn't you apply for Master's programs? I assume because you want funding? Apply to Canadian schools if that's the case (they often fund Master's degrees).

[ZeeMore21]

I don't know your situation but if you went into this PhD program with the intent on using it to get a Masters for free and leave afterwards, I find this move very selfish. You have wasted funding and a spot for someone who wanted to complete a doctoral program in its entirety. If I am wrong, I apologize, but it seems like more people are thinking about taking advantage of PhD programs to get an MA and leave.

Edited July 15, 2011 by ZeeMore21