Master's or Ph.D?

[Simverse]

So, I have been accepted into two different programs for Human Factors Psychology. One of these programs is a Ph.D program and the other is a Master's program. I have always thought that if these were to end up being my choice, I would pick the Ph.D program no matter what; however, I visited the school and I felt like it wasn't the right fit for me. They do not have many classes in HF, and the funding was not good. In addition to this, I choose the research lab I was assigned to because the professor said he did things in HCI, but when I visited his lab they were focusing on something entirely different, and I am not even remotely interested in the research being done there. Another one of his graduate students admitted that he choose the lab for the same reasons that I did and was disappointed to find that HCI research was not being done at all.

 

 

On the other hand, the Master's program focuses mainly on my field of interest and has offered me a lot of funding. I have not been able to visit the school (low on funds), but I have been speaking to one of the professors. I know that I'd like to do research, but I don't want to be a professor and I am kind of torn as to which program I should pick. Should I stick it out and pick the Ph.d program? Or should I just go for my Master's?

 

I'd really appreciate any advice you all may have on the matter. Thanks!

[MellylaMelle]

Do you already have a Masters?  If not, than that might be the right choice.  

[Simverse]

I do not have my Master's yet, just a Bachelor's in psychology.

[juilletmercredi]

There appears to be absolutely no reason for you to select the PhD program over the master's.

 

-They don't have the classes you need.

-The funding isn't good.

-The research lab is focused on an area that you are NOT interested in.

-There are already disappointed grad students in that lab.

 

On the other hand, the MS program is funded, they have research there and you're not even sure you want a PhD.  So go get the MS and don't look back.  If you later decide that you want a PhD, grad school isn't going anywhere, and you can apply again to doctoral programs.

[m-ttl]

There appears to be absolutely no reason for you to select the PhD program over the master's.

 

-They don't have the classes you need.

-The funding isn't good.

-The research lab is focused on an area that you are NOT interested in.

-There are already disappointed grad students in that lab.

 

On the other hand, the MS program is funded, they have research there and you're not even sure you want a PhD.  So go get the MS and don't look back.  If you later decide that you want a PhD, grad school isn't going anywhere, and you can apply again to doctoral programs.

 

Not to mention you'll have more potential options next round for your PhD (if you do well in your MA). I would go for the MA, it sounds like you'll be happier and learn more with better support! 

[Simverse]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, but I suppose I wrote that first post making it sound like there was nothing good about the school that is accepting me for a Ph.D. Even though the lab I was accepted into does not do research I am interested into, I made a point of bringing this up, and all the graduate students told me that the program is very good when it comes to collaborating on projects (or if push comes to shove, changing labs). The school also has really good connections with industries in the field for internships and jobs after graduation. There aren't many classes for the program, but they have their graduate students take graduate level courses in other subjects (such as engineering or business). I'm just not sure if I like this idea or not, it's not necessarily a bad idea, but I'd like it more if they had classes for Human Factors.

 

Thanks for all your advice on this, I have been leaning towards the Master's program, but I still haven't officially made the decision. I'm so nervous that I'm going to make the wrong choice that I can't seem to make any choices.