Advice on transferring from a Masters Program to a PhD Program

[loveridden88]

Hello everyone,
I've already been admitted and committed to a Master of Arts program in English this coming Fall, however, I recently decided that I'd like to pursue a PhD and therefore am thinking about applying to PhD programs this coming Fall and, if admitted, transferring Fall 2011...does anyone have any experience with this? Is there any advice

Comments

[historychick49]

Umm... why not finish out your MA and then apply for a PhD program? It sounds like you've only recently made your decision, so getting an MA first will allow you to make sure that this is what you want to do.

Transferring from an MA to a PhD program (presumably at different schools)... well, it depends on the school, of course, but I can't imagine that you'd actually be able to transfer more than a few credits.

[circumfession]

This. This is even true if you're moving from one PhD program to another... you're leaving a top-flight PhD program (in which case, exceptions might be made as part of the bargaining process...but don't count on it).

[zanylikethat]

Is there any particular reason to not finish the MA and then apply to PhD programs? You can apply to PhD programs during the final year of your MA, and your CV will probably be more impressive at that point; you might even have publications or conference presentations, which will help strengthen your application. You'll also have stronger letters of reference, because your writers will be writing based on your graduate-level work rather than undergrad.

[hkitsune]

This, absolutely.

[bafooz]

Getting a terminal MA doesn't preclude you from continuing on to a PhD. If anything, it makes you a better candidate & gives you a better idea of where you'd like to go for future research etc.

[circumfession]

what do you mean by "transferring?" For English PhD, transferring schools rarely work the same way as transferring in college--this is particularly true for the top programs. Most programs will require that you start over as a first year. You may be given credit for a few classes, but it rarely allows you to finish a year early. (and without getting into a complicated discussion on funding, it's often not to your advantage to finish early). So while it is possible to switch schools, it's rarely possible to transfer: i.e, going from your first year in one program immediately into your second year in another (or 2nd to 3rd, etc

[loveridden88]

In addition to my family trying to get me to transfer to a more prestigious program that shares my field of study, I guess I was also thinking about the length of time and the program itself. The school I'm attending doesn't really support my area of study (African American Literature), but it is an individualized program that will allow me to pick courses that could "build" a program of my interest...which is interesting and exciting. I did receive full funding and a graduate assistantship...

This is crazy...I should just complete the M.A., build my CV, develop my skills and knowledge, and not try to rush into getting my PhD.

[circumfession]

At the risk of being too blunt and poking my nose in where it doesn't belong--it's your life. You'll have to make the well-informed decisions yourself. I find that most family (even those familiar with academia) have no idea 1) what being in an English PhD program is like or 2) that "prestige" does and doesn't mean in this context 3) what are the best decisions for you

[lissiehoya]

If you have full funding and a graduate assistantship, you're not really losing much (except time) by completing the M.A. and you could be gaining a lot in terms of experience that will make you a better PhD candidate.

I'd finish the M.A. and then apply to PhD programs. I don't see a good reason to transfer.