In Europe you typically need a masters degree before you start a PhD program. In the US you don't - you can think of it as a 2+3 type program where you spend th

In Europe you typically need a masters degree before you start a PhD program. In the US you don't - you can think of it as a 2+3 type program where you spend the first couple of years taking classes (and getting your masters) and the next three doing your thesis.