The length of time it takes to get a graduate degree varies, depending on the program that you choose to enter. There are different types of college diploma and degree programs, and because each offers a different set of skills and knowledge, each has a varying length of time to complete. Additionally, there are different types of graduate level degrees that each take a different amount of time to complete.
The first level of graduate degree is a Master’s degree. Most Master’s programs take between two to three years to complete. You can get a master’s degree in nearly every subject that offers a bachelor’s degree. An MBA is a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a very common degree for people to complete. If you are attending school full time, most programs expect you to complete the program in two years, but if you are attending part time, it may take you up to four years to complete the program.
An MFA is a Master’s in Fine Arts. This degree is a terminal degree, which means that it does not prepare you to go on for a PhD. However, you can teach at a university with this level of degree. This degree focuses more on the application of the material studied rather than the theory. Most programs take between two to four years to complete. You can get an MFA in creative writing, filmmaking, theater and fine arts, and visual arts.
A Juris Doctor is another type of graduate degree. This is a law degree. This is considered a professional doctorate, because most people who get this degree work in a profession rather in the field of research and teaching. This program takes three years to complete. You can also get the L.L.M. (Masters of Laws). This program takes one year, but does require you to already have received a J.D. You can also earn a Doctor of Juridical Sciences. This degree is for those who want to teach people to become lawyers. This program takes about three years to complete, and you must have received the L.LM. Degree in order to apply. At the end of your course of study for a S.J.D., you will have completed four years of undergrad work, three years of law school, one year for your L.L.M. and an additional three years for your S.J.D., which adds up to eleven years of school.
The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees take about three years to complete. However, you are required to spend additional time in residency once you get this degree. If you want to teach people to become doctors, you will need to PhD in medicine, which takes an additional three to four years to complete. Often you can enroll in an MD/PhD dual degree, which takes seven to eight years to complete.
A PhD (Doctoral degree) can take anywhere from three to six years to complete. It depends on how long it takes you to complete your dissertation to determine the length of time that you are enrolled in the program. It generally takes longer for people to get PhDs in the arts versus those who get PhDs in the sciences. Additionally, some programs allow you to skip your Master’s degree and apply directly to the PhD program. These programs usually take five years, since you still have to cover the basic Master’s level classes. A PhD prepares you to teach at the college level and to do research for private companies.