The graduate education experience varies from student to student. Time to degree similarly varies based on the student's research project and type of degree sought. Most students take 8 to 12 units per quarter. The fees are the same no matter the number of units. It is not unusual for students to work part-time in addition to taking classes. The M.A. degree generally takes 2 to 3 years. The Ph.D. degree has a broader range, as the goal is for students to make original contributions to the research literature. Ph.D. students typically finish in 5 to 6 years.