Colorado Technical University

What is the difference between doctoral, masters and undergraduate degree?

Hi, I was looking at some subjetcs at universities, particularly comparing McGill and York University. I noticed that McGill has more Masters and Doctoral Degrees in certain fields. What do these degrees do for you? Also, would you rather recommend Mcgill or York for engineering-not sure which kind but probably mechanical, electrical, automotive or computer

Public Comments

1. The doctoral degree generally requires the completion of original research in the field, usually work that can be and will be published in a refereed journal or a book. The undergraduate degree is usually awarded in four years, the Masters normally will take one or two years past that. The doctorate can take forever (sigh).
2. The bachelor's generally gives you some basic knowledge in a field - in a career-oriented major, this would mean you would be ready for an entry-level job in the field. In one of the liberal arts, you would be considered reasonably educated in the subject matter. The master's degree, which you get following an extra year or two of study after completing a bachelor's degree, usually focuses completely on the subject matter of the degree (in a bachelor's degree program, less than half the courses you take will be in your major, with the others intended to give you a general education), making you a "master" of the subject. Usually you have to do some kind of a major project, like a thesis, at the end of a master's degree. The doctorate is intended to bring you to the point where you are not only learning from, but are also contributing to, the discipline. For example, if you are getting a doctorate in engineering, you aren't just reading what others have discovered about history, but you are doing your own research to add to the body of knowledge about engineering. The dissertation, which is a major research project at the end of the doctoral degree, differs from the master's thesis not only in length, but because you are expected to make an original contribution to the field with the findings of your research.