MA program: One year vs. Two year?

[AH YES!]

Hi everyone,

I've been accepted to a couple of programs both of which are great. My only concern is that one's 1 year and the other one is 2 year MA program. I'm wondering if that really makes a difference. I'm probably going to be pursing PHD studies sometime in the future, and I'm not too sure if doing a 1 year MA program would make any difference to my potential of getting in. At this point, a lot of people have told me to do 1 year and get it done, but I'm getting second thoughts. Do PHD programs prefer 2 year MA applicants? Do they prefer someone who has done thesis over MRP?

Any opinions on this?

[Nerd_For_Life]

A lot of Universities are under pressure to make their MAs a one year program instead of a two year program for funding reasons. Based on the opinions of the profs I have talked to there is no disadvantage to doing a one year over a two year. Whether it's a one year or two year differs depending on the university and the department within that university.

In terms of thesis over MRP, likely depends on your program and what you are pursuing.

For me one year programs are all that were offered from the universities I applied to (Cambridge, University of Toronto - both anthropology MA).

[rockandroll]

I'm actually having the same dilemma- one of my programs is only a year long, which I see as sort of a disadvantage because my whole plan was to apply to Ph.D. programs during my second year of my master's. In a one-year program, I would have to take a year off in between, because there's no way that I would be ready to apply to doctoral programs this fall. However, my boyfriend thinks that this is advantageous for me, because I'll get the school part done in a year and have the second year to get some real-world work experience. I'm still trying to make up my mind...

[RosamundReage]

I would highly recommend doing a 2 year program as it gives you the time explore your research developments and gives you the opportunity for professional development. I am so glad I did a 2 year program as I had amazing opportunities to develop a great research project and I was also able to go to conferences, get published and apply for and get prestigious scholarships. None of my friends who did a one year program were able to have half the opportunities that I did and did their masters on "autopilot" without getting much out of it. If you do a one year program be prepared to not have very much time to work on your thesis as you will have to take courses while researching in most programs. Unless you are absolutely certain of your research goals and have already been published/gone to conferences I would recommend doing a two year in order to hone your skills and boost your resume for a PHD.

[AH YES!]

Thanks for all your responses everyone! They're all very helpful..... I haven't yet decided but I'm still thinking on what would be my best bet if I am to do my PHD in future.