What is a doctorate degree? | Everything you should know

Doctorate Degree | What Is It?

A Doctorate Degree is the greatest academic honor; it signifies that you have mastered a particular field of study or vocation. An extensive study and articulation are required for the degree. Therefore, those aspiring to pursue a doctorate must be prepared to do extensive research, analysis, and present an innovative interpretation or solution in their respective fields.

A Doctorate Degree further enables professionals to excel in top-tier consulting and pursue educational career paths. It helps them to advance in their current profession, providing them with the edge to stay relevant.

Let’s look at the different kinds of Doctorate Degrees and what happens when you enroll for one.

Learn: How to get scholarships to study in the USA

Types of Doctorate Degrees

Doctoral degrees are divided into two categories-

• Research-oriented degrees 
• Professional application degrees (also called “applied doctorates”) 

1. Research-Oriented Doctorate (PhDs) 

The most popular title for a Research-oriented (commonly known as Ph.D.) doctorate is a Doctor of Philosophy. The following are some subjects for research-oriented doctorates-

• Philosophy (Ph.D.) 
• Arts (D.A.) 
• Education (Ed.D.) 
• Business Management (Ph.D.) 
• Public Health (DPH)
• Theology (Th.D.) 

In this context, the “philosophy” in Doctor of Philosophy refers to the concept of investigation and the quest for knowledge rather than the subject of Philosophy. That’s because the thesis and research are two of the most important components of this degree. 

2. Professional Doctorate: An Application-Oriented Program 

A professional doctorate (also known as an applied doctorate or terminal doctorate) is a degree that focuses on applying a subject in real-world situations. If you want to enhance your career, pursue high-level corporate roles, establish teaching credentials in your field, or start a consulting firm, you’ll probably want to acquire this type of Doctorate Degree. 

Some of the most popular professional doctorates include subjects like-

• Business Administration (DBA) 
• Professional Studies (Instructional Design and Leadership)
• Finance (DPH) 
• Healthcare Administration (DHA) 
• Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) 
• Social Work (DSW) 
• Juris Doctor (JD) 

The professional doctorate program will motivate you to address real-world difficulties in your field, research, and provide a viable solution. Unlike research-oriented doctorates, these degrees may or may not require a dissertation (thesis).

Read more: Study PhD in Canada

Doctorate vs PhD- Understand the difference! 

How to Get a Doctorate Degree

There are 5 possible routes for you to get your Doctorate Degree. Let’s look after them one by one. 

Traditional PhD by Thesis – The Classic Scholar’s Journey

Picture yourself diving deep into your passion, spending three to four years crafting original research that could change your field forever. Your thesis becomes your masterpiece – a book-length exploration of about 60,000 to 90,000 words that captures your intellectual journey. With a mentor by your side, you’ll develop your ideas, conduct research, and finally defend your work in front of experts who will challenge and celebrate your contributions. It’s like writing a novel of knowledge, where every chapter brings new discoveries. 

PhD by Publication – The Mid-Career Academic’s Path

Already making waves in your field with published research? This path lets your existing work shine. Think of it as creating a greatest hits album of your academic career – combining your published articles, book chapters, and research papers into a powerful story of original contribution. Usually requiring 5-8 strong publications plus a thoughtful commentary of 5,000-15,000 words, this route recognizes that groundbreaking research doesn’t just happen in traditional programs. It’s perfect for experienced professionals who’ve been building their academic portfolio while working.

Professional Doctorate – Where Real-World Meets Research

Imagine combining your professional expertise with cutting-edge research. That’s what a Professional Doctorate offers – whether you’re an engineer, healthcare professional, or educator. Unlike traditional PhDs, these programs speak directly to your work life, letting you solve real problems while advancing your field’s theoretical understanding. Running part-time for two to eight years, it’s like having a foot in both worlds – the practical and the academic. You’ll emerge with prestigious titles like DBA, EdD, or EngD, armed with knowledge that directly impacts your industry.

Integrated PhD – The Complete Academic Package

Think of this as a PhD with training wheels that gradually come off. Over four years, you’ll start with a research Master’s degree, building a solid foundation before diving into your three-year PhD journey. It’s like learning to swim in the shallow end before conquering the ocean of research. This modern approach combines taught modules, hands-on experience, and advanced research, preparing you not just to be a researcher but a leader in your field. Perfect for those who want a more structured transition into high-level research.

Online/Distance Learning PhD – The Flexible Scholar’s Choice

Welcome to the digital age of doctoral studies. This path proves that groundbreaking research doesn’t require you to be bound to a physical campus. Using technology to connect with supervisors through video calls, emails, and virtual meetings, you can pursue your research from anywhere in the world. Think of it as a traditional PhD adapted for modern life – perfect for international students, working professionals, or anyone needing flexibility. While you’ll still visit campus occasionally for essential training and meetings, your research journey fits around your life, not the other way around.

Check out: How to study abroad for free | A complete guide

How a Doctorate Works?

The Ph.D. degree coursework usually comprises four stages-

1. Research Core 

In most Ph.D. programs, you start your studies with a common core of prep classes. The research core establishes the underlying abilities you’ll need to finish the degree-level work. This core comprises:

• Advanced writing approaches
• Research methodology and design 
• Applied statistics 
• Colloquium courses 
• Qualitative and quantitative research and analysis 

2. Areas of Focus 

After completing the research core, you will normally begin taking courses in your major study area. 

For example, if you are pursuing a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) degree, you will need to take classes in organizational behavior, organizational systems, strategic thinking and decision-making, ethics, and change management.

Similarly, for a Ph.D. in Human Services, you will need classes in advanced research methodologies for public service, social influences on behavior, decision-making ethics, as well as advanced communication for human services leaders.

3. Electives 

As a part of your Doctorate Degree, you will also be required to take specific electives within your specialization. This will expand your vision and allow you to use your knowledge to solve real-world situations.

For instance, if you are seeking a DPS (Doctor of Professional Studies) focusing on instructional design leadership, you may pursue a course from the DHA track to apply for a doctorate in public health. 

4. Dissertation 

A dissertation is typically a five-chapter thesis that is commonly broken into three phases-

1. Submit a prospectus for approval from the dissertation committee.
2. Complete the first chapters of your dissertation and begin data collection.
3. Write your dissertation and defend it orally in front of the program directors. 

The dissertation for students pursuing an applied doctorate may differ since the main focus here is to create a solution to a real-world problem.

Investigating Dissertation Structures

Because your dissertation will be a significant challenge to overcome, you must understand what you’re getting yourself into from the start. When you’re looking at schools, conduct some research on dissertation structures to narrow down your options. When it comes to crunch time, ensuring that the institution will do everything possible to assist you with your dissertation can make all the difference. 

For example, as a part of the DHA program, you will gain valuable research abilities and the essential writing skills to complete your dissertation. Your dissertation should demonstrate your ability to find a work-related issue of interest, design a proposed solution to a problem, and justify your ideas in the actual world.  

How long will it take to get a Doctorate Degree? 

The answer depends on the path you choose. A doctorate degree requires at least 60 to 120 semester credit hours (or approximately 20-40 college classes). The majority of PhDs take the full 120 hours, although most applied doctorates are on the lower end of the spectrum.

The course duration also depends on the subject area you are pursuing and the type of program offered by the institution. A doctorate usually takes 4 to 6 years, whereas a Ph.D. can take up to 8 years. 

List of Doctorate Degrees 

1. Doctor of Arts (DA)
2. Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
3. Doctor of Canon Law (JCD)
4. Doctor of Design (DDes)
5. Doctor of Engineering or Engineering Science (DEng, DESc, DES)
6. Doctor of Education (EdD)
7. Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA.)
8. Doctor of Hebrew Letters (DHL)
9. Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD, SJD)
10. Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
11. Doctor of Music Education (DME)
12. Doctor of Modern Languages (DML)
13. Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc)
14. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
15. Doctor of Public Health (DPH)
16. Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)
17. Doctor of Science (DSc, ScD)
18. Doctor of Theology (ThD)
19. Doctor of Acupuncture (D.Ac., D.Acu.)
20. Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (D.A.O.M.)
21. Doctor of Anesthesia Practice (Dr.AP)
22. Doctor of Applied Science (D.A.S.)
23. Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.)
24. Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.)
25. Doctor of Audiology (Au.D)
26. Doctor of Behavioral Health (D.B.H.)
27. Doctor of Chemistry (D.Chem.)
28. Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
29. Doctor of Church Music (D.C.M.)
30. Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (D.C.N.)
31. Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology (CScD)
32. Doctor of Comparative Law (D.C.L.)
33. Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.)
34. Doctor of Computer Science (D.C.S.)
35. Doctor of Criminal Justice (D.C.J.)
36. Doctor of Criminology (D.Crim.)
37. Doctor of Divinity (Divinitatis Doctor) (D.D.)
38. Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
39. Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.)
40. Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering (D.Env.)
41. Doctor of Forestry (D.F.)
42. Doctor of Geological Science (D.G.S.)
43. Doctor of Health Administration (D.H.A.)
44. Doctor of Health and Safety (D.H.S.)
45. Doctor of Health Education (D.H.Ed)
46. Doctor of Hebrew Literature/Letters (D.H.L.)
47. Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc., D.H.S.)
48. Doctor of Hebrew Studies (D.H.S.)
49. Doctor of Humane Letters (D.Hum.Litt.)
50. Doctor of Industrial Technology (D.I.T.)
51. Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)
52. Juris Doctor (J.D.)
53. Doctor of Law and Policy (L.P.D., D.L.P.)
54. Doctor of Liberal Studies (D.L.S.)
55. Doctor of Library Science (D.L.S.)
56. Doctor of Management (D.M.)
57. Doctor of Medical Humanities (D.M.H.)
58. Doctor of Medical Physics (D.M.P)
59. Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.Sc.)
60. Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
61. Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
62. Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss)
63. Doctor of Music (D.M., D.Mus.)
64. Doctor of Music Therapy (D.M.T.)
65. Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine (D.N.)
66. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D., N.M.D.)
67. Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
68. Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D., D.O.T.)
69. Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
70. Doctor of Organizational Leadership
71. Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M., O.M.D.)
72. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
73. Doctor of Pastoral Counseling (D.PC)
74. Doctor of Pastoral Music (D.P.M.)
75. Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
76. Doctor of Physical Education (D.P.E.)
77. Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
78. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
79. Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.)
80. Doctor of Professional Studies (D.P.S.)
81. Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D)
82. Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.)
83. Doctor of Recreation (D.Rec., D.R.)
84. Doctor of Rehabilitation (Rh.D.)
85. Doctor of Sacred Music (D.S.M.)
86. Doctor of Science in Dentistry (D.Sc.D.)
87. Doctor of Science and Hygiene (D.Sc.H.)
88. Doctor of Science in Veterinary Medicine (D.Sc.V.M.)
89. Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.)
90. Doctor of Social Science (D.S.Sc.)
91. Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.)
92. Doctor of Transformational Leadership (D.T.L.)
93. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)

Jobs & Salaries after a Doctorate Degree 

Key Takeaways

• In a world where information is the new ‘fuel,’ a doctoral education has become critical. 
• If you want to become an expert in your field and maybe even teach at institutions, the degree is table stakes to get in the door.
• A doctorate program is a substantial financial investment with a sure and significant return on investment.
• It is instrumental in: Enhancing transferable skills. Beyond gaining specialized knowledge, Ph.D. holders noted that they acquired a set of transferable skills during their course. Expertise in problem-solving, critical reasoning, and thinking in-depth and from various points and perspectives came as a benefit of their Doctorate Degree.
• Social Impact of a Doctorate. Doing a Ph.D. helps you develop your social skills, such as communication and presentation. It also gives you access to professional networks, helps you build personal relationships, and brings societal recognition. 

Personal Development. Candidates with a doctorate have testified that they experience personal development during the Ph.D. course; it helps them gain maturity and independence. 

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Liked this blog? Then read: Know how to write an SOP for Ph.D., a step-by-step guide.

FAQs

Ques 1: What is the best way to compare Doctorate Degree programs? 

Answer 1: A student’s choice to pursue a Doctorate Degree program can significantly impact his or her future and career. When comparing multiple different courses, prospective students must consider aspects such as a school’s location, cost, and rankings. You should look into a few different programs in your specialization area. Analyze the objective and subjective features of doctorate degree programs. Also, consider the following things when making your decision-

• Faculty 
• Graduate performance averages 
• The location and expense of the school, and more

Ques 2: What are the qualifications required for a doctorate degree? 

Answer 2: While some doctoral programs require master’s degrees, the vast majority accept applicants with bachelor’s degrees from reputable colleges or universities. However, note that personal interviews, letters of recommendation, and college exam results may also be part of the process. 

Ques 3: What is a Juris Doctor Program? 

Answer 3: A Juris Doctor program is a postgraduate degree course that prepares students for a career in law. Juris Doctor programs are available at law schools for those who want to become lawyers or pursue other advanced legal vocations. Some colleges also offer dual degrees; however, the program usually takes three years for full-time students.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Sr. Content Writer

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

`