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I am in the middle of my master studies in math and need to decide which subject I want to choose for my master thesis, geometry or statistics. I have the following questions:

Is it possible to start the PhD (say in statistics) in a different subject as the master/master thesis (say in geometry)?

What actions would you recommand, if I want to change the subject? (e.g. first taking a job in statistical area before starting a PhD in this subject)

Would it make sense to do another master in statistics?

I thought going from the more theoretical subject geometry to the more applied subject statistics more "natural". Note that I have in both subjects, geometry and statistics, at least 30 Credits, but my studies (also my Bachelor) is more focused on geometry.

Penguin_Knight
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bjn
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    Possible duplicate of Graduate school admission with a degree in a different field – Ian_Fin Oct 03 '16 at 12:38
  • @Ian_Fin The duplicate is much more general and less specific and moreover the last two questions are not answered. I only get a very raw sketch from these answers. – bjn Oct 03 '16 at 14:30
  • Note that the first italic sentence at the bottom states that the purpose of that question is to prevent lots of field-specific versions of the question. – Ian_Fin Oct 03 '16 at 14:39
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    @bjn the fact that the duplicate is more general only makes the assertion stronger - since you can do a PhD in statistics after having a master in history, medicine, economics or anything else, you definitely can do a PhD in statistics after having a master in math, even if the topic is different. – Peteris Oct 03 '16 at 15:00
  • I found a much better duplicate of my question, here http://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/19803/ms-in-pure-maths-to-phd-in-statistics – bjn Oct 04 '16 at 20:34

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There is a self-evident answer, - yes, it's possible, no any official restrictions, no one care (maybe, except your advisor).

And there are obvious consequences when you're changing the research topic - you're starting something new with less experience. This can be good or not, and this is your, and only your decision.

Les
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Yes, in, say, Economics, its encouraged. Having a strong background (i.e. a masters in math or statistics) is a bonus. That being said, it is expected that you aren't blind about the subject you going into your PhD for (but that should be obvious).

bdempe
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