One of the first requirements for a Ph.D. degree in meteorology is a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree generally takes four years to complete. The first two years are spent taking the prerequisite courses or the college's required courses. For example, the University of Hawai'i requires the student to take classes in mathematics, physics, chemistry, English and other core courses. The next two years are spent concentrating on a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology.
The next step in achieving a Ph.D. in meteorology is receiving a Master of Science degree in meteorology. Most Ph.D. programs require the achievement of a master's degree before being eligible for the program. The University of Oklahoma requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of college to achieve this degree. The Master of Science degree can take anywhere from one to three years depending on how many courses you take each semester. You must also take a qualifying examination or comprehensive examination before receiving this degree and qualifying for the Ph.D. program.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in meteorology is the final step. The University of Oklahoma requires a minimum of 90 credit hours, as well as a dissertation to achieve this degree. Forty-four credit hours can be transferred from the master's degree program, but most of the coursework is done in the research for the dissertation requirement. It typically takes three to five years to complete this degree program depending on the college, research requirement and number of classes taken each semester of college.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the job opportunities for meteorologists will grow faster than the average career within the United States through 2018. Most of the job growth will come from private industry, and individuals holding a Ph.D. in meteorology will have a better chance of getting these positions because of the limited number of openings for new graduates. Most Ph.D. graduates work in the research and development field at colleges or universities, but competition will be stiff for positions. The BLS states that the median income for meteorologists was $81,290 a year, as of 2008.