How Long Should Grad School Take?
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How long does it really take to properly train a PhD student? Two years seems short and 25 years seems on the long side, so the right answer must lie somewhere in between.
A number of factors influence the length of time a grad student is in school before receiving their PhD. But despite the funding situation, the departmental regulations and the success of the project, the student’s training is ultimately what should govern setting the graduation date.
For most students, the first and second years are occupied by some combination of classes and teaching, and time in the lab is limited. After that, research becomes a full-time pursuit and that’s when the real work begins. The learning curve can be steep, but anyone who’s risked approaching an embittered eighth year student (Beware of the Grad Student) knows that at some point the learning curve flattens out and the law of diminishing returns kicks in.
So how long do you think it should take for a graduate student to develop the independence, critical thinking and communication skills that are hallmarks of a well-trained PhD?
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Leon Van Eck
wrote on December 6, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I did a 4-year MSc before embarking on my current PhD work. Regardless of my previous grad student experience at a different college, it is still expected that my PhD will take +4 years to complete. I think I deserve to be cut some slack, but I guess the academic system doesn't see it that way. I have calculated that I've been a graduate student for a full quarter of my life now. Very depressing math indeed.
alan@benchfly
wrote on December 6, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Yeah, that's not the kind of math you want to do- unless you've invited Jack Daniels over for the evening…
Disgruntled Julie
wrote on December 6, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Who the hell are these people thinking it should take 3 to 4 years, and how do I transfer into their program?!?
29 and a PhD
wrote on December 7, 2010 at 8:53 am
I think that, unless you did your MS in the same lab you're pursuing your PhD, then it should be more between 4 and a half and early 6th year. I finished mine about 1 month before the start of my 6th year. Staying where you got your MS, if you have a kick-a$$ project and know the ins and outs, then it could potentially take you 4 years or less. But like you very well put it, it depends on the project and luck … and how the stars are aligned ;-).
Kmgibs
wrote on December 7, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I got mine in 4 years to the day (Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry at UK in Lexington KY). I had to finish in 4 due to military commitment. You will need a PI that will work with you and two "projects". One will need to be "safe" and well defined (translation boring, but still important…afterall someone has to classifiy all the mutants!), Two a related but riskier project (translation….more interesting, higher return if it succeeds….bigger flop if it doesn't). Hope for something in between. Then I worked many, many hours….often several days in a row w/o rest….baby sitting cells and so on. So, it can be done…not easy…I would have rather had another year or two and I think the outcome of my research would have been better, more defined and worthy of a better pub….but still met the standard for PhD. All committee members were fully in support of my being awarded the degree, so it wasn't an act of charity.
alan@benchfly
wrote on December 7, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Four years to the day is definitely impressive- congrats! I think your advice is great for anyone. Having a safe project that plods along and gets results while you work on a higher-risk side project that could have a huge impact is a great way to hedge your bets.
Paul
wrote on December 7, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I agree with 29 and a PhD. If you stay in the same lab as where you got your masters, it should a shorter time to the PhD. Not by matter of rule, but the student should already have made decent progress on a project that they're presumably carrying on. Switching the lab or university will in essence cause you to start over, however one would hope the masters research helps you hit the ground running so that they still finish a bit quicker. Of course, luck and project are always the wildcard in the equation!