PhD and MA Linguistics?

[chrischanq]

Well... I will have a MA in Applied Linguistics in this May and I applied to Linguistics for a PhD in CUNY. However, yesterday I got an acceptance letter for a MA instead. I know it was extremely difficult for an international student to get a PhD in Linguistics, but I really feel upset.

Anybody got the same kind of awkward situation?

[BeatrizBear]

Maybe it was a mistake? Did the letter say that they rejected you from the PhD and admitted you for the MA?

[chrischanq]

Maybe it was a mistake? Did the letter say that they rejected you from the PhD and admitted you for the MA?

Yes, they did... They said they considered my PhD application and suggested me starting at a Master level... 

[beefgallo]

But isn't starting your PhD and officially calling it a PhD the same as starting as an MA and continuing to a PhD? Aren't both option 5 years?

[isilya]

But isn't starting your PhD and officially calling it a PhD the same as starting as an MA and continuing to a PhD? Aren't both option 5 years?

No. Being accepted only to a Master's program means you only get to be there until the completion of your Master's and it's not guaranteed you can continue on to a PhD there. You would have to apply to the program again. Also the funding situation is much shittier for Master's students. To be guaranteed to go through your Master's into a PhD in the same program you need to be accepted explicitly to the PhD program there from the beginning.

[beefgallo]

I, for example, got an email saying I was admitted to a program at an MA Level and to pass to the PhD level I need to complete the MA requirements and pass the qualifying exam. It does not say anything about re-applying. Isn't that just a different description of the regular PhD program? Or, maybe, a probation version of it?

[isilya]

I, for example, got an email saying I was admitted to a program at an MA Level and to pass to the PhD level I need to complete the MA requirements and pass the qualifying exam. It does not say anything about re-applying. Isn't that just a different description of the regular PhD program? Or, maybe, a probation version of it?

Yeah that just sounds like a normal PhD program...weird way to say it though! Maybe you should ask them about that?

[beefgallo]

I will, i'm still waiting for more answers before I start nagging with the million questions I have about the program.

But once, when reading the description of the PhD program in Berkeley, it was something like that too. They describe it as getting an MA and then continuing on. Maybe that description changed. 

[chrischanq]

I, for example, got an email saying I was admitted to a program at an MA Level and to pass to the PhD level I need to complete the MA requirements and pass the qualifying exam. It does not say anything about re-applying. Isn't that just a different description of the regular PhD program? Or, maybe, a probation version of it?

Yeah, they said the same things to me, too. My friend said it would be a probation version.

[chrischanq]

No. Being accepted only to a Master's program means you only get to be there until the completion of your Master's and it's not guaranteed you can continue on to a PhD there. You would have to apply to the program again. Also the funding situation is much shittier for Master's students. To be guaranteed to go through your Master's into a PhD in the same program you need to be accepted explicitly to the PhD program there from the beginning.

I asked them, and the professor told me if I could pass the qualifying test and submit a MA thesis, I could go on to the PhD level.

[isilya]

I asked them, and the professor told me if I could pass the qualifying test and submit a MA thesis, I could go on to the PhD level.

Ok, that seems like a normal PhD program. If you fail quals more than a couple times you're kicked out (sometimes with a Master's, sometimes not), but if you pass you just continue in the program

Edited February 21, 2015 by isilya

[omidance]

I think if this this the school you really want to attend, then it might be a good idea to go forward with the MA. You can look at it a couple of different ways if you decide to this MA. One way is to do the MA, kick butt and take names later, and you'll be a shoo-in for the PhD with that much more education under your belt. Another way is to do the MA and think about what you want to do after...would getting a PhD in another field (like a particular language or other application of linguistics) make you more marketable for jobs after graduation? If so, you could knock out that MA and then apply to a different PhD program. Then you can teach/research/work in Linguistics and that other area. Just a thought...My first choice for myself is a PhD in Dance and snag a cool MA in AFAM Studies along the way so I can be marketable in more than just dance or performance studies depts. Good advice from a colleague. Keep your head up! You'll find your way!

[chrischanq]

I think if this this the school you really want to attend, then it might be a good idea to go forward with the MA. You can look at it a couple of different ways if you decide to this MA. One way is to do the MA, kick butt and take names later, and you'll be a shoo-in for the PhD with that much more education under your belt. Another way is to do the MA and think about what you want to do after...would getting a PhD in another field (like a particular language or other application of linguistics) make you more marketable for jobs after graduation? If so, you could knock out that MA and then apply to a different PhD program. Then you can teach/research/work in Linguistics and that other area. Just a thought...My first choice for myself is a PhD in Dance and snag a cool MA in AFAM Studies along the way so I can be marketable in more than just dance or performance studies depts. Good advice from a colleague. Keep your head up! You'll find your way!

Thank you! You are right, starting with an MA means less pressure and chances to jump to something else I want. Thanks a lot!!!