So you’re thinking of getting your Doctorate degree. This is a huge endeavour, and it’s taken a lot of hard work to reach this point. First of all, congratulations! From deciding on a university and programme to meeting potential supervisors, there are many components to take into consideration before you submit your application.
In this piece, we provide you with everything you need to know about Doctorate degrees to help you make an informed decision on this next step of your academic journey.
- A Doctorate degree is the most advanced degree awarded by a university. The idea behind obtaining your Doctorate is to establish yourself as an expert in a given field.
- Although requirements for completing a Doctorate degree can vary widely depending on the programme, there are certain elements that can be found in many Doctorate programmes: coursework, teaching, dissertation and defence of dissertation, publication, and exams.
- Although all PhDs are Doctorates, not all Doctorates are PhDs. Other Doctorates include Juris Doctor (JD) and Doctor of Medicine (MD), among others.
- Pursuing a Doctorate is a big commitment. Understanding the requirements of the programme and what might come after your Doctorate can help you make a decision on whether or not you should pursue this exciting academic or professional endeavour.
What is a Doctorate degree?
But first: what is a Doctorate degree? This term, and a few others, are used often in and outside of academia. A Doctorate degree is the most advanced degree that is awarded by a university. The idea behind obtaining a Doctorate degree is to establish oneself as an expert in a given field or subject area.
What’s the Difference between a PhD and a Doctorate Degree?
Understanding the difference between a PhD and a Doctorate degree is important, because they are often used interchangeably. A PhD is one form of Doctorate degree, however it is not the only kind of Doctorate degree one can receive. A PhD is one kind of Doctorate degree, but not all Doctorate degrees are PhDs.
Types of Doctorates Degree
Research Doctorates (PhDs)
What is a PhD, then? The historical context of this term stems back to 19th century Germany, where an emphasis on scientific research became the basis of higher academic degrees, moving away from more practical or industrial training and administrative colleges. This education model, called the Humboldtian or Berlin model, soon spread across Europe and beyond, and became the dominant template for higher education.
Although PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, the term philosophy in this context has Latin and Greek origins. A PhD reaches far beyond the discipline of philosophy, in this context philosophy simply means “a love of wisdom.”
Professional Doctorates
Contrary to a common misunderstanding, you can have your Doctorate degree without possessing a PhD. Professional Doctorates can include titles such as EdJ (Doctor of Education), MD (Doctor of Medicine), Juris Doctor (JD), DBA (Doctor of Business Administration), PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), or EngD (Doctor of Engineering).
Non-PhD Doctorates emphasise an applied or practical element, and they are often viewed as an alternative to PhDs for certain disciplines, especially those involving substantial practical applications.
What is the purpose of a Doctorate degree?
The purpose of a Doctorate degree was originally to provide a qualification to scholars, allowing them to become members of a guild (i.e. ,an association of individuals with the same profession). Later on, as we know, the PhD emerged, which prioritised research.
The purpose of a PhD is to contribute original research to knowledge in general, whereas the purpose of a professional Doctorate degree is to advance the given profession, specifically.
But why should a student pursue a Doctorate degree? Research highlights two overarching reasons why people pursue this level of higher education: 1) Personal growth, and 2) Career advancement.
Career advancement is, of course, the key purpose for pursuing a Doctorate degree. With such a qualification, one can make more money in their profession, pursue a long-term career in academia, or become an expert in technical and scientific fields. For example, to be a practicing medical doctor, one typically needs their Doctorate degree.
Requirements for a Doctorate degree
The requirements for a Doctorate degree vary drastically depending on the programme, specialisation, or university. Still, there are certain elements that are often required when pursuing a Doctorate degree:
1. Coursework:
Although significantly less than the coursework required for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, there may still be coursework included as part of your Doctorate programme. This is especially true of the early semesters.
2. Teaching:
This is not universal, however there is often a teaching requirement included in a Doctorate programme. This might consist of teaching seminars to Bachelor’s or Master’s students, or perhaps supporting a professor with their grading.
3. Dissertation:
As the culmination of your many years of research, a dissertation, or detailed research document, is nearly always a requirement for a Doctorate programme, although the length can vary widely.
4. Defence of dissertation:
If you wrote a dissertation, you may also be required to defend that dissertation in front of a committee of professors or experts in your field. This can involve presenting your research and answering questions or concerns that the committee poses.
5. Publication:
There may be explicit, or implicit, expectations surrounding publication. For some programmes, and especially in the case of PhDs, publishing one’s work in academic journals or presenting research at conferences is often expected or clearly outlined as a requirement.
6. Exams:
In the case of more practical Doctorate degrees, there may be qualifying exams at the conclusion of the programme. In some cases, these exams are part of the Doctorate, whereas in other cases, they may represent another, separate step. A final qualifying exam is often the final step that allows one to legally practice their profession.
Master’s Degree vs. Doctorate Degree
What’s the difference between a Master’s degree and a Doctorate degree? If you’ve just finished defending your Master’s degree, perhaps the thought of repeating the process, but for a longer time period, is daunting. Understanding the differences between these degrees can help you make an informed decision on the next step in your academic or professional career.
| Master’s degree | Doctorate Degree |
Timeline | 1-2 years. | 3-7 years. |
Coursework | A Master’s degree usually consists predominantly of coursework. | For a Doctorate degree, coursework is less prioritised, if at all. |
Dissertation | Typically, at a Master’s level, you will write a thesis rather than a dissertation. Usually, a thesis focuses more on existing research and one’s expertise in a subject area. | For a PhD, a dissertation is almost always required at the conclusion of the programme,
For practical Doctorates, a dissertation might not always be required.
Usually, a dissertation is more detailed than a thesis, and should contribute original research to a field. |
Examination | A final qualifying examination is rare at the Master’s level. However, there may be examinations at the end of different courses. | For practical Doctorates, there are often qualifying final examinations.
For a PhD, these are less common. |
Next steps | Some fellowships might be available, pursuing a career, pursuing a Doctorate degree. | Qualifying examination, post-doctoral fellowship, academia, pursuing a career. |
Doctorate degree application process
The application process for a Doctorate programme varies widely depending on the field of research, university, and professional specialisation. The best advice we can offer is to carefully follow the application instructions of the specific Doctorate programme. Still, there are certain components to a Doctorate degree application process that are often required, across the board:
- CV or Resume.
- A research proposal (especially for a PhD). Learn how to write a research proposal here.
- Letters of recommendation from former professors, sometimes from former employers if relevant.
- Academic transcripts.
- An academic, usually from the same programme, who has committed to supervise your work.
- Cover letter or letter of interest.
Is a Doctorate degree worth it?
This post has covered the many elements of a Doctorate degree that should be considered prior to applying for and pursuing a Doctorate degree. How long will the Doctorate take to complete? What are the requirements of the programme? Is it paid, or do you have to pay to participate? At the end, what will you have to show for your work? Do you have specific professional or personal goals that require you to have a Doctorate degree?
Whatever your motivations, deciding whether to pursue a Doctorate degree is a highly personal choice, and should take serious consideration. Whether or not a Doctorate degree is worth it therefore entirely depends on your life, your career path, and the sacrifices the programme may require of you.
