PhD Application – Transcripts
Some have asked if one can do a PhD without a master’s degree…
In many business schools, a master’s degree is a requirement for a PhD. So, both undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts may be required during the application process. In general, and depending on the competitive nature of the program/school, PhD programs require Grade Point Average (GPA) scores of about 3.5 from your master’s degree, and between 3.0 and 3.3 from undergraduate degrees. Applicants are required to mail their transcripts to the appropriate graduate schools. If permitted, they could also physically take their transcripts to the graduate school. Transcripts are usually required to be in English language.
If you find that your scores are a tad bit lower, it is not a conclusion that a PhD program is not for you. Remember that the admission decision is often based on more than one factor (GRE/GMAT, research history, GPA, personal statements etc.). So, go ahead and talk to the PhD program advisor in the school/department of interest and let them advise and guide you. It may or may not work. It may end up being that you direct your focus on another program/school, perhaps a lower tier PhD program than your original target.
Depending on your route to a PhD program ( e.g., current master’s student), you may also opt to take an additional class that would give you an opportunity to do research with a faculty member. Master’s programs have independent research classes that students could take, where a specific research topic or problem is identified and tackled with the help of the a faculty member. This accomplishes two things; boost your GPA and give you some experience in research.
