[tirrellp]

Ive seen something similar to this.

My friend has a BS in Chemistry, and the head of the academic NanoTech lab where he worked said, "I really want you in our NanoTech PhD program. Just try it for a couple years. If after 2 years you don't like it, You can walk away and I will grant you a Master's for your trouble"

[fibbery]

I thought this is the way it typically works... students are admitted to PHD programs after a BA/BS, and they get a terminal master's if they drop out but it's definitely not a prerequisite for the program.