Just finished undergrad degree, confused about what to do, helpppp @_@

[wildeaa]

Sorry for the annoying topic title!

OK! I am American, but I went to university in the UK, and got an undergraduate degree in Economics. I just graduated this summer (woooo!). I definitely want to ultimately get a PhD (also in economics), but the UK program was different from the US ones, and I have encountered 3 problems with jumping into a PhD:

1. I have not really taken any of the math classes listed on the grad websites due to limitations in the structure of my degree. (I say "not really" because I took AP Calculus BC in high school, took fairly advanced econometrics courses, and have taught myself a fair amount of real analysis since then - although obviously that last part isn't official).

2. I also only got a 66.9% average, which I believe translates to a B+/A- average, very very roughly around a 3.5, and I know that I can do a lot better than that.

3. I am also unsure about a research topic, even very roughly.

4. With the exception of my final year thesis, I do not have any real research experience.

So, I was thinking that I could get a masters BEFORE a PhD, allowing me to take more math classes, narrow my research interests, and have an opportunity to work harder and have a stronger transcript when I apply.

But, I've been researching masters programs, and it seems like very few places even offer stand alone masters degrees, and if they do offer masters in economics, they explicitly state that it is entirely independent of and does not lead into the PhD program. I understand that they would have to state this so that students are not misled into believing that they can apply to the Masters program as a "back door" into the PhD program, but I am nonetheless confused - is a masters degree useless for my PhD application? Does it make any sense at all to do both? Why do so few schools offer it? The PhD programs are stated to last 5-8 years - if I get a masters first, can I cut down on that estimate?

I would really appreciate any advice at all! I have tried to ask my professors and advisors about this, but they seem to be even more confused by the US universities than I am

Thank you!!!

Alex

Edited August 28, 2011 by wildeaa

[dimanche0829]

I'm not sure about your specific program, but a lot of people do masters and then PhD. You really just need to weigh the pros with the cons and see what works best for your situation:

Unfortunately, most masters programs are unfunded...and expensive. Are you willing to go into debt for your program? Additionally, most universities will not allow you to transfer all of your masters classes over to a PhD, which means you will have to take additional classes. Getting your PhD will likely take longer, as a result.

It is generally easier to get accepted to a masters program than a PhD program, though. Requirements are usually a little less intense and competition is reduced.

Hope this helps!

[runonsentence]

Plenty of graduate students do a master's degree for the sorts of reasons you describe (develop research interests, beef up one's background to better prepare for the PhD, gain more research experience). It's also worth noting that students who do both degrees at the same school are (in most fields) the exception, rather than the rule.

It's possible that MA + PhD is less common in economics, but I know that in English the master's degree does hold much value for many applicants because of the preparation it offers for the PhD.

Try poking around the economics forum here on the board; folks there might be able to point you toward some terminal master's programs. I know my own university has one: http://gradapps.uc.edu/graduateprogramfinder/default.aspx