[dnautics]

sometimes an institution will give an ms as a consolation prize for time spent not being able to finish a phd [0]. in those cases they can be upwards of 5 years, but they certainly aren't industry driven

[0] often a leadership or personality failure of the PI

[lokar]

My program had an exam after 2 years. You could fail completely, do well enough to leave with a MS, or fully pass and continue to a PhD.

[dnautics]

that is one way things can be structured, yes.

[mathisfun123]

Why do people do this kind of "well actually" thing? Yes you're correct but it has nothing to do with whether the degree itself is intended for that.

[smelendez]

I mean, how common is a terminal master’s program in STEM fields?

I imagine there are departments where it’s more common to get a master’s by dropping out of the PhD program early than through any other path. Especially for people with a bachelor’s in the same field.

[dnautics]

there are departments where it's the only way to get a masters, and it's nothing to do with foreign students paying, and i suspect more to do with lawsuit evasion for exploitative working cobditions and mutual nondisparagement

[mathisfun123]

> mean, how common is a terminal master’s program in STEM fields?

Lololol extremely. They're cash cows because of foreign students paying full price and not getting tuition waivers.

> Especially for people with a bachelor’s in the same field.

Lol bruh an enormous number of schools have 4+1 programs to enable students getting terminal MS even easier.

[dnautics]

because its good to have people not be misled by absolute statements like this "No MS lasts 3-4 years" that are simply incorrect.

do you enjoy being a source of misinformation?

[mathisfun123]

What percentage of all MS awarded would you wager are intended to be 3-4 years?

[dnautics]

the verb you used was "lasts" not "intended".

[mathisfun123]

> There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree

What do these words mean to you? To me they imply the degree is intended to last 3-4 years. The English is very clear here.