What happens to PhD program applicants who have master's degrees?

Abstract

Dawes, R. M. Formal models of dilemmas in social decision making. In M. F. Kaplan & S. Schwartz (Eds.), Human judgment and decision processes; Formal and mathematical approaches. New York: Academic Press, 1975. Dawes, R. M., McTavish, J., & Shaklee, H. Behavior, communication, and assumptions about other people's behavior in a commons dilemma situation.

The ideal function of the terminal master's degree program for a PhD-pursuing student.

“…That is, if the undergraduate record is a good predictor of success in PhD programs, then it follows that the undergraduate record combined with the master's program record should be an even better predictor of success. In support of this reasoning, Annis et al (1978) noted that several PhD programs reported that applicants holding master's degrees were more likely to complete the PhD if accepted than were students entering with only the bachelor's.…”

“…A recent survey by Annis, Tucker, and Baker (1978) indicated that PhD programs in clinical and counseling psychology, especially those approved by the American Psychological Association (APA), were less likely to accept applicants who held degrees from terminal master's programs than those who held only bachelor's degrees. However, Annis et al also found that terminal master's degree holders were viewed as equal to or more qualified than bachelor's-only applicants by nearly all (97%) of the department chairpersons surveyed.…”

“…On the other hand, we think that the reasons often given by PhD programs for rejecting applicants with master's degrees are unjustified. For instance, some PhD program chairpersons have indicated that master's-level applicants are hard to "fit into the program" due to needless repetition of basic courses or disparate skill levels at entry into PhD course work (Annis et al, 1978). The obvious solution to this problem is to require master's-level enrollees to complete the entire PhD curriculum as if they had no degree beyond the bachelor's.…”

The GRE in the graduate admissions process: Is how it is used justified by the evidence of its validity?

“…It is widely recognized that gaining admission to a PhD program in clinical psychology is difficult. Indeed, some people have described this process as "fierce" (Annis, Tucker, & Baker, 1978). It is equally widely recognized that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the heaviest weighted of all admissions variables.…”

The Master's-Level Clinician: Application and Admission to Doctoral Programs

“…It is difficult to gain admission to many PhD and PsyD programs, and a master's degree may be the only choice for some qualified individuals (or the degree of choice for others). One can earn a master's degree and apply to doctoral programs with hopes of admission (Annis, Tucker, & Baker, 1978;Mealiea, 1973;Perlman, in press;Tucker & Annis, 1981). Korn (1984) recently estimated that the odds on gaining doctoral program acceptance seem to be improving (although he did not look at master's-level individuals per se) while LeUnes, Bourgeois, Bond, and Oppenheimer (1982) argue for in-depth follow-up of master's programs.…”