Terminal MA vs PhD

[Hige]

Hi folks,

I know this may be a little off topic in here, but the Interdisciplinary Studies board is snoozeland, and you folks are pretty close to what I'm looking to do. 

My focus in undergrad was literature and I want to continue studying Japanese literature at an East Asian Studies program. I currently have a B.A. (Liberal Arts) and have been in Japan for the past few years. However, I am having a hard time making a decision between applying to either the MA program at one school or its PhD program. I have read that if you don't already have an undergrad degree in the area you are applying to (which I don't my school only did liberal arts and there wasn't a East Asian program) then it is a good idea to apply to a terminal MA program pertaining to the field you want to ultimately get your PhD in.

Funding however seems precarious at the MA level so I am little concerned. Does anyone have any insight into this predicament? Or perhaps they can point me to a thread where this sort of thing has been discussed?

A few of the schools I am thinking about specifically are UCLA, Oregon and Berkeley.

 

Thanks for your time.  

 

[ProfLorax]

Since there are very few interdisciplinary undergrad degrees, my perception is that many of the interdisciplinary programs aren't adamant about applicants having a specific undergrad degree. If you can show that the work you did as a literature major pertains to your research interests within East Asian Studies, I'd say go for the PhD (if that is your end goal).

 

Also, some applications have a box you can check indicating that you are applying for the PhD program, but if you are not accepted, you would like to be considered for the MA program. Check and see if UCLA, Oregon, and/or Berkeley have that option, and then you won't have to make the choice; they'll do it for you! 

[slouching]

I agree with proflorax.

 

If you haven't already, I'd recommend doing a bit of research on the students currently enrolled in the programs you're interested in. Usually, a department will have a 'current students' section on its website, and each student's bio often includes info on what degree(s) they earned prior to joining the program. What becomes clear very quickly is that students come from all kinds of backgrounds. Given that your background seems to have a strong connection to what you want to study in grad school, I definitely wouldn't assume that you'll need a terminal MA in order to be competitive for the PhD.

[Hige]

Thanks, I think I'll keep this is mind as I contact the programs. The time difference between the U.S. And Japan is killer so I have been left to glean as much as I can from programs' websites.

Ultimately the decision is hinged on funding versuses my chances at getting in. The PhDs tend to offer more money but are also competitive....

Alas, thanks for your advice again. I suppose I just get to get to writing some emails to these programs.