Graduate School and Post-Graduation Training

What is the difference between an MA, an MS, and a PhD?

Students entering graduate school programs related to animal behavior, ecology, conservation, or anthrozoology will likely enter one of these three types of graduate programs. The MA, or Master of Arts, typically focuses more on the humanities and theoretical understanding. The MS, or Master of Science, focuses more on the natural or social sciences and developing technical expertise. It should be noted here, however, that there are some MA programs available in the sciences. When selecting a master's degree program, it is best to examine the curriculum to find a program with courses that support your career goals and to review the research activities of their program's faculty members to ensure that they match well with your interests. Most master's degree programs take an average of two years of full-time study to complete and culminate in a thesis or capstone project. Many career fields require or prefer a master's degree, especially for jobs beyond the entry level. It is highly recommended that all students spend some time browsing job postings to get an idea of what educational level is required (or preferred) for your chosen career path.

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a research degree and represents the highest level of academic study. The name of this degree may be confusing, as is does not necessarily include any study of philosophy. Rather, the name comes from the original Greek meaning of the word, which translates to "lover of wisdom." PhD programs include several semesters of coursework, followed by the completion of a dissertation. The dissertation is an in-depth research project that involves extensive literature review, the development of a research proposal, carrying out of the research project, and presentation of results through a written document and oral defense. It is typically expected that the dissertation will result in the publication of one or more peer-reviewed scholarly articles. A PhD degree is not a requirement for many jobs, but is often necessary for anyone wanting a career as a college or university professor or other positions in which planning and carrying out original research is a primary responsibility. A PhD degree typically takes an average of four or more years to complete.

Should I get a Master's before getting a PhD?

This varies considerably depending on both the career field and the personal goals and desires of the student. In some fields, such as wildlife science, it is rare for a student to go directly into a PhD program without obtaining a master's degree first. In some other fields, going directly into a PhD program without a master's is more common. A PhD is a significant undertaking, and for many, getting a master's degree first is helpful in deciding whether or not a PhD is the right path for them. Some PhD programs will transfer in course credits from a related master's program. It is always best to investigate the programs you are interested in, examine their policies about transferring credits, and view their requirements. Some PhD programs will explicitly require a completion of a master's degree first, while others will not. 

What is a Professional Master's Program?

Some colleges or universities offer a type of master's degree commonly known as a "Professional Master's."  These differ from traditional master's degree programs in that their focus is on developing skills rather than on research. These degrees are typically developed for working professionals who want to further their education to advance their career. Unlike traditional MA or MS programs, professional masters may not require a thesis, offering capstone projects or internships instead. They often offer online classes or flexible schedules to accommodate working students. These programs are a great option for those who are interested in applied jobs, but are not recommended for anyone entering a research field or planning to pursue a PhD degree.

Should I go right into graduate school, or work for a few years after completing my undergraduate studies?

Although this is largely a matter of personal preference, for many students there can be significant benefits to working for a year or two before applying to graduate school. In some fields (such as wildlife science), applicants with prior work experience may be preferred for funded graduate school opportunities. In addition, working in your field can help you to develop skills that will benefit you in graduate school, learn more about about your career options and what is required for advancement in your field, and network with people who can help connect you to appropriate graduate school opportunities. Remember that during a master's program, especially one that culminates in a thesis, you begin to specialize in a particular aspect of your career field. Having some work experience can provide clarity about what aspects you might want to focus on.  

How do I find a graduate program that is right for me?

There are so many graduate programs available that finding the right program can seem overwhelming, but there are a number of factors you should consider when narrowing down your choices.

1.  Location: For many students, relocation to certain areas may be challenging or impossible. If you are location-bound, determining the geographic areas in which you could feasibly attend graduate school will help to narrow down your options before looking at other factors.

2.  Goals and Interests: One of the most important considerations when choosing a graduate school program is finding one that matches your career goals and interests. For example, if you want to specialize in marine mammal behavior, selecting a program with no courses or research available related to marine mammals would not serve you well. In most master's programs (particularly those requiring a thesis), each graduate student works closely with an advisor who will guide them through the research process and, in some cases, help to provide funding through their own research grants. It is often best to first identify potential research advisors, with the program and its curriculum being a secondary consideration. A good place to begin is by looking for researchers who produce scholarly papers on topics of interest to you, and then looking up those people to see where they work and if they are accepting any graduate students. It is perfectly acceptable to email graduate school professors that you are interested in working with to inquire about opportunities in their labs.  Before doing that, look up their website, read some of their research, and take the time to craft a well-written (and error-free) inquiry email. 

3.  Curriculum: Although this may be secondary to finding a graduate school advisor that aligns with your interests, looking at the curriculum can help you to decide between multiple options. Look at the courses to see if the classes offered will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to advance along your chosen career path- especially if that path requires very specialized skills or knowledge. For example, for students in the wildlife field, a general ecology program and a wildlife science program might both be appropriate, but will have different curricular offerings that might lead you to very different types of jobs within the field. If you are looking at professional master's programs, curriculum may be the most important factor to consider.

4.  Cost: Like undergraduate programs, graduate schools vary considerably in cost. However, funding is often available for thesis-based master's and PhD programs. The most common mechanism for funding is the Graduate Assistantship (GA). Most of these positions are research or teaching based, and offer a stipend or salary and a tuition benefit. In some cases, GA positions may be widely advertised on job boards and require a similar application process to that of standard employment (in addition to application to the graduate program itself). In other cases, positions may be announced only within the program or department. If you are interested in working with a particular faculty advisor in a graduate program, it is a good idea to contact them to inquire about available positions in their lab and availability of funding. It should be noted that funding is rarely available for professional master's programs. 

Americorps: Americorps is US federal agency for national service and volunteerism. Americorps-sponsored opportunities can be found throughout the range of federal agencies, including US Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS), National Parks Service (NPS), US Forest Service (USFS), US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Americorps volunteers receive a number of benefits, including a living allowance, student loan deferment and interest forbearance, money for educational expenses (such as paying for graduate school or student loans), and professional development. Because Americorps is a federal program, some programs (Americorps VISTA) may also qualify you for noncompetitive hiring status for federal jobs. While this does not guarantee anyone a federal job, it can improve your chances of being hired by a federal agency.

Peace Corps: Similar to Americorps, the Peace Corps is a US federal agency that brings together skilled volunteers to provide service. However, Peace Corps volunteers are stationed in more than 60 countries around the world. Peace Corps volunteers are provided with housing and a living stipend, transportation to and from the country of service, medical and dental benefits during service, rigorous training, and graduate school benefits. Peace Corps volunteers also may be eligible for student loan deferment or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Because Peace Corps is a federal agency, some programs may also qualify you for noncompetitive hiring status for federal jobs. While this does not guarantee anyone a federal job, it can improve your chances of being hired by a federal agency.

Student Conservation Association (SCA): SCA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to hands-on conservation work in the outdoors. SCA participants work to protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community greenspaces throughout the country. SCA offers a variety of internships and programs for recent college graduates. Benefits vary by position, but many provide specialized training, a stipend, and housing or travel benefits. Some positions provide Americorps education benefits. In addition, SCA volunteers may be eligible for Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority, which qualifies you for noncompetitive hiring status with some federal agencies.

American Conservation Experience (ACE): ACE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing environmental service opportunities. Typically, ACE volunteers work with federal agencies in opportunities similar to those provided by Americorps. ACE has several programs, offering experiences including habitat management and restoration, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, environmental education, environmental policy, rangeland management, and fish and wildlife management. ACE volunteers typically receive specialized training and a living allowance. Some positions provide housing. In addition, ACE volunteers may be eligible for Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority, which qualifies you for noncompetitive hiring status with some federal agencies.

Fulbright Program: The US Fulbright Program is an international academic exchange program sponsored by the US government. The Fulbright Program provides participants - chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential - with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Fulbright grant recipients receive transportation to and from the host country, health benefits, a living stipend, and a certificate for 12 months of Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority, which qualifies you for noncompetitive hiring status with some federal agencies.