How long does it take to become a Master Mason

How long does it take to become a Master Mason?
I found myself a bit confused as to the steps to becoming a Master Mason. This is how it was explained to me.

1) Submit Petition to Lodge secretary
2) Wait for a response. This could take a few weeks since petitions are voted on once a month.
3) The Lodge secretary or representative will contact you, if your petition was approved, and schedule an interview.
4) After passing the interview, an addition time of patience must be waited until the Lodge hears the interview results and schedules a date for your 1st degree as an Entered Apprentice (EA Degree). There is no preparation required for this degree.
5) Upon completion of the EA Degree ceremony you are considered a 1st degree Mason or an Entered Apprentice. This is the first of the three degrees of Masonry.
6) A date of 28 days or more will be scheduled for you to pass on to the 2nd Degree of Masonry or the Fellow Craft Degree. In order to pass, you must first prove your proficiency in the first degree by answering several questions about the ritualistic ceremony of becoming an Entered Apprentice. These questions come from the encrypted book of codes that was presented to you at that ceremony. Once you pass, you are made a Fellow Craft Mason or a 2nd degree Mason.
7) A date of 28 days or more will be scheduled for you to be raised to the 3rd degree of Masonry or Master Mason degree. Similarly to the last degree you have to prove your proficiency in the previous degree by engaging in a question/answer 'skit' or catechism which you would have memorized from a code book presented to you during the prior degree. On this date you will be made (or be raised to) a Master Mason. There still is a ceremony at a later date where you have to again prove your proficiency as a Master Mason, however in my jurisdiction, this ceremony is not required for you to be entitled to the rights and benefits of a Master Mason.

A Master Mason is the absolute highest level one can achieve in Masonry. You may decide, however, to pursue degrees in the Scottish Rite (where you may have heard the term 33 degree Mason), York Rite, Shriners, Prince Hall, etc. all of which complement Masonry (or Blue Lodge Masonry).

In the United States, the whole process from submitting a petition to becoming a Master Mason should take between 4 and 8 months depending on the date you submit your petition, frequency of degrees in your area, your ability to learn the lessons, and laws dictated by the Grand Lodge of your state.

So in my case, I petitioned my lodge in April, my petition was read on the first Wednesday in May, I was interviewed two weeks after that in mid-May, the results of that interview were presented on the first Wednesday of June. There were several candidates at that time so it was decided by the Worshipful Master of the Lodge to hold the EA degree in August, the FC degree in September, and the Master Mason degree in October.

How do I join the Masonic Fraternity?

Gaining membership into the world's largest, oldest, and most prestigious fraternal order requires one surprisingly simple step: ask.

Freemasonry does not recruit members. We believe that the best and most willing members are those who seek out the opportunity themselves. To help assure that our brotherhood shares a desire for community service and charity, and to help promote harmony within our lodges, we instead present the opportunity to all qualified men; allowing them to petition us.

The qualifications for membership are to be male, 21 years or older, holding a belief in a Supreme Being, under no 'restraint of liberty' (no convicted felons or Freemasons suspended or expelled in another jurisdiction may apply), and having resided within the state for at least the last six months. Any person meeting these qualifications is entitled to apply.

Any qualified applicant may apply at any lodge in the state. It is suggested however that the applicant reside near the lodge he intends to join, in order to maximize his participation in -- and enjoyment of -- lodge events.
Thanks to the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for this above verbiage.
You may search the web or check the phone book for a lodge near you.

What We Are Not

We are not a secret society! A secret society is generally one that wraps itself in a cloak of absolute secrecy. That means no one knows who the members are, where they meet, what they do or what they stand for.

That is not Masonry at all! Masonry may have "secrets," but it is not a secret society. Masonic secrets are few in number, and deal with the general method of initiation, the ways we recognize each other, and very little else. These parts of the ritual, which are called the esoteric side of Masonry, have been handed down by word of mouth for centuries.

Masonry's purposes, ideals, and principles may be learned by anyone who inquires. There are numerous books on these subjects which are available to the public. Masonry often has public notices in the newspapers, and our members are usually numbered among the more prominent citizens in the community.

We are not a Religion!

Masonry, as an organization, is understanding and tolerant of all religious thoughts.

Masonry has no specific creed, no dogma, no priesthood. There are no requirements as to religious preference in becoming a Mason.

Masonry does ask you to state your belief and trust in a Supreme Being. Nonsectarian Prayers are a common part of all our ceremonies, but are not offered to a specific deity.

Masonic ritual does incorporate lessons and examples from the Bible, but they are given as representative illustrations.

Masonry does not require you to belong to a church, synagogue or mosque although many Masons are very active in their religious organizations, and among our members are leaders of many denominations.

Freemasonry accepts your right to belong to any church or religious organization of your choice and does not infringe on that right. Neither does Masonry try to be a substitute for your church. Masonry wants to unite men for the purpose of brotherhood; not as an organized religion.
Thanks to the Grand Lodge of Arizona for this above verbiage.