Have you ever wondered what the real difference is between a master’s degree and a PhD is, but felt like it would be dumb to ask? You’re not alone, and it’s not a dumb question at all. Despite what many might think, a PhD (or doctoral degree) is not a more advanced master’s degree.

In fact, as college professor Dr. Ari explains, a PhD and a master’s degree have fundamentally different purposes.

“Getting a master’s and a PhD are very different from each other,” she says in a TikTok video. “When someone says, ‘Maybe I should just keep going and get my PhD,’ I kind of immediately know that they don’t really understand the difference.”

@arisofficehours A PhD is not just “more classes.” It’s training to become a knowledge producer, not just a knowledge consumer. #highered #highereducation #edutok #tiktoklearningcampaign #learnontiktok ♬ original sound – Dr. Ari’s Office Hours

A PhD is not just “more classes.” It’s training to become a knowledge producer, not just a knowledge consumer. #highered #highereducation #edutok #tiktoklearningcampaign #learnontiktok ♬ original sound – Dr. Ari’s Office Hours

Master’s = learning. PhD = producing.

“A master’s program is about learning knowledge. A PhD program is about producing knowledge,” Dr. Ari goes on. “In a master’s, you take classes, you complete assessments and assignments, you prove you........

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