* Field of study: Some fields, like the humanities or certain areas of the social sciences, might require more time for research and writing than others, such as some engineering or natural science fields.
* Funding: Securing funding (e.g., teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships) can significantly impact the timeline. Students who have more consistent funding can often dedicate more time to their research.
* Research progress: The speed of research depends heavily on the individual's research skills, the complexity of the research topic, and the availability of resources. Unexpected setbacks can cause delays.
* Writing proficiency: The dissertation is a significant undertaking. Proficiency in writing, and the time needed to revise and refine it, will influence the timeline.
* Institution: Different universities have different expectations and requirements for their Ph.D. programs.
While having a master's degree usually means less coursework than someone entering directly from a bachelor's, the research and dissertation still constitute a major portion of the work. Therefore, expecting a significantly shorter time frame than a typical Ph.D. program is unrealistic for most.