Earning an advanced degree like a doctorate (also known as a PhD or doctoral degree) or a master’s degree is a big commitment that requires years of additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree. Many people wonder exactly how much longer it takes to earn a doctorate versus a master’s degree. Here is a quick overview of the key differences in time commitment.
Typical Time to Earn a Master’s Degree
A master’s degree typically takes 1-2 years of full-time study to complete after finishing a bachelor’s degree. The most common master’s degrees take around 2 years or about 36 credits. Here are some examples of typical timeframes:
- Master of Arts (MA) – 1-2 years
- Master of Science (MS) – 1-2 years
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – 2 years
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) – 2-3 years
- Master of Public Health (MPH) – 2 years
- Master of Social Work (MSW) – 2 years
However, it is possible to earn some master’s degrees in less time, such as 12-18 months. Accelerated programs and online options can shorten the timeframe. Part-time master’s programs usually take 3-4 years.
Typical Time to Earn a Doctorate Degree
Doctoral degrees usually take 3-6 years of full-time study to complete after finishing a bachelor’s degree. However, the time varies significantly depending on the specific field and program structure. Here are some typical timeframes:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – 4-6 years
- Doctor of Education (EdD) – 3-4 years
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) – 3-4 years
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) – 4 years
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – 3 years
- Juris Doctor (JD) – 3 years
Keep in mind that completing a dissertation or doctoral thesis often adds 1-2 years to doctoral programs. Part-time and online doctoral programs may take 4-7 years to complete.
Comparing Time Commitments
On average, here is how the time commitments compare for earning a master’s versus doctorate degree:
| Degree | Typical Time to Complete |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-2 years |
| Doctorate Degree | 3-6 years |
As shown, a doctorate degree requires an average of 2-4 more years of study after a bachelor’s degree compared to a master’s degree. However, the exact timeframe depends on factors like the field of study, program structure, enrollment status (full-time or part-time), and dissertation requirements.
Why the Time Commitment is Longer for a Doctorate
There are several key reasons why it takes more time to earn a doctorate than a master’s degree:
- More advanced coursework – Doctoral programs require students to complete more advanced, specialized courses and seminars beyond what is required for a master’s.
- Original research – A dissertation involving extensive original research and analysis is required. This process typically takes 1-2 years or more.
- Comprehensive exams – Passing comprehensive written and oral exams is required to advance to doctoral candidacy after coursework is complete.
- Residency requirements – Some doctoral programs require students to complete on-campus residency requirements, which adds time.
- Greater specialization – Doctorates require greater depth of knowledge and specialization in a field, which requires more time.
In short, the additional advanced coursework, exams, dissertation research, and specialization needed to earn a PhD or professional doctorate is much more extensive than for a master’s degree. This translates into 1-4 additional years to complete a doctoral program.
Which Degree Takes Longer – PhD vs Professional Doctorate
When comparing different types of doctoral degrees, a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) generally takes a year or more longer to complete than a professional doctorate such as an EdD (Doctor of Education) or DBA (Doctor of Business Administration). Here are some factors that account for the difference:
- A PhD dissertation is usually more extensive, requiring 1-2 additional years.
- PhD programs typically require more advanced coursework.
- PhDs emphasize research whereas professional doctorates focus more on practical knowledge.
- PhD residency requirements may be longer.
However, both PhDs and professional doctorates still require significantly more time to complete versus master’s degrees. Both involve advanced coursework, comprehensive exams, and a dissertation. But the greater research focus and dissertation requirements for PhDs make them longer.
Reasons the Time to Earn a Doctorate is Increasing
In recent decades, the average time to complete a doctoral degree has increased. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Greater emphasis on publishing research – Programs push for students to publish research articles before graduating, which adds time.
- Less funding support – Less grant and fellowship support means more students must work while pursuing a doctorate, which slows progress.
- Higher dissertation expectations – Supervisors and committees demand higher quality dissertations, which adds time.
- Rising cost of education – Students take longer to graduate in order to distribute costs over more years.
- Increased specialization – New highly specialized doctoral programs have lengthy requirements.
Given these trends, it is now quite common for doctoral programs to take 6-7 years or more to complete in some fields, especially in the humanities and social sciences. Students should be prepared for the possibility of a lengthy timeline when starting a PhD program.
Conclusion
In summary, a doctorate degree requires an average of 2-4 more years to complete compared to a master’s degree. The PhD, as the traditional research-focused doctorate degree, generally takes the longest – often over 5 years. Professional doctorates like the EdD and DBA take a year or more less time thanks to their more practical focus. No matter what, doctoral programs require advanced coursework, comprehensive exams, in-depth research, and specialized expertise well beyond what is needed for a master’s degree. Students should be prepared for the longer timeline and extensive requirements associated with earning any type of doctoral degree.