Graduate school how many years

For full-time students, completing a master's degree usually takes 2 years. Doctoral degrees are the highest degrees possible. They usually require the creation of new knowledge via independent research. Including the time it takes to write and defend a dissertation, this degree may take anywhere from years to complete.

Donate to the Career Center. Why so much variation? The primary determinant of how long your degree is going to take is what discipline or program type you are in. There is of course variation even within disciplines, but similar programs tend to have similar requirements, which translates to a comparable program length.

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Interested in talking with other students and professionals about getting a graduate degree? Join Community , our online discussion board covering topics from Career Exploration to Higher Education and more! Skip to content Back to Blog. Sign in. Don't have an Account? Register Now! USA School Search. Search Now. May be either academic or professional. Most programs offer a thesis and non-thesis option.

A doctoral degree: Is designed to prepare students for college faculty and research scholar positions, as well as for other careers that require advanced knowledge and research skills. May be academic such as a doctor of philosophy, or PhD , professional such as a doctor of education, or EdD , or doctor of business administration DBA.