A doctorate represents a big academic achievement in a given discipline or profession. This an advanced academic degree that not only enhances career prospects and earning potential but also signifies expertise and a deep understanding of your chosen subject. In this guide, we’ll explore the two main types of doctorate degrees, the subjects you can study, and the advantages of earning this prestigious qualification.
Types of Doctorate Degrees
Doctorate degrees fall into two primary categories: academic and professional. Both types are considered terminal degrees, meaning they are the highest degrees you can achieve in their respective fields, demonstrating mastery and in-depth knowledge.
Academic Doctorate
An academic doctorate, most commonly known as a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), is a research-focused degree. It typically involves completing a dissertation that contributes original knowledge or theories to the field. PhD students often aspire to careers in academia, such as becoming professors or researchers, but many also find opportunities in various industries outside of academia.
Examples of Academic Doctorates:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Design (DDes)
- Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA)
- Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS)
- Doctor of Theology (ThD)
Professional Doctorate
A professional doctorate, also known as an applied doctorate, is designed for specific professional fields such as medicine, law, or business. These degrees focus on applying advanced knowledge and skills directly to professional practice.
Examples of Professional Doctorates:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
Time and Costs Involved in Earning a Doctorate
Generally, the actual time required to earn an academic doctorate typically ranges within four to seven years, that’s a lot of. That is so due to the extensive research practice sections. However, professional doctorates vary in duration:
- Juris Doctor (JD): About three years of full-time study.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD): Four years of study followed by a residency program lasting three to seven years, depending on the specialty.
Financial Investment
The cost of obtaining a doctorate wholly depended on the field of study and the institution of choice. However, as of 2021, the average cost for a PhD was around $98,800, while a Doctor of Education degree averaged $111,900. The total cost for medical school was approximately $218,792.
Earning a Doctorate: What to Expect
Academic Doctorates
Academic doctorate programs emphasize advanced coursework and original research. The journey typically includes:
- Coursework: In-depth study of the subject.
- Comprehensive Exam: Assessing knowledge in the field.
- Dissertation: Conducting and presenting original research.
Professional Doctorates
Professional doctorate programs depends on practical skills and knowledge needed for specific careers. The key elements include:
- Coursework: Specialized courses relevant to the profession.
- Internship/Clinical Rotation: Hands-on experience in a professional setting.
For example, medical students spend two years in pre-clinical coursework followed by two years of clinical rotations. Law students complete their coursework and often engage in internships or capstone projects.
Licensure
Graduates of professional doctorate programs typically need to pass licensing exams to practice in their fields. Law graduates take the bar exam, while medical graduates must pass medical licensing exams before starting their residencies.
Applying for a Doctorate Program
Applying for either type of doctorate program generally involves similar requirements:
- Institution’s application
- Resume or CV
- Transcripts
- Entrance exam scores (MCAT, LSAT, GRE, or GMAT)
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
Requirements for Professional Doctorates
Prospective students must first earn a bachelor’s degree, often in a related field. For example, future law students might study English or communications, while aspiring medical students typically study biology or chemistry. Some may need to complete prerequisite courses if their undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field.
Requirements for Academic Doctorates
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, candidates often need a master’s degree unless they enroll in a combined master’s and PhD program. Master’s degrees take one to three years to complete and provide a foundation for doctoral studies.
Demand and Salaries for Doctorate Holders
The demand for doctorate holders varies by field. For instance, the need for lawyers is projected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, while the demand for doctors and surgeons has slowed, though other health care roles like physician assistants and nurse practitioners are on the rise. In business, professionals with a DBA may find high demand due to the relative rarity of this qualification compared to an MBA.
Earnings Potential
Professional doctorates often lead to high earning potential. For example, veterinarians and lawyers have median salaries of $100,370 and $127,990, respectively. Generally, those with doctorates earn more than those with master’s or bachelor’s degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctoral degree holders have median weekly earnings of $1,909, compared to $1,574 for master’s degree holders and $1,334 for bachelor’s degree holders.
Is a Doctorate Right for You?
Deciding to pursue a doctorate involves considering several factors:
- Do you enjoy the subject matter?
- What job opportunities will be available after graduation?
- How competitive is the job market in your field?
- Will a doctorate give you a unique career advantage?
- Do you have the time and financial resources to commit to a doctorate program?
- Are there financial aid options available?
Alternatives to Doctorate Degrees
For some career paths, a master’s degree might be a more practical option. Master’s programs are shorter and less expensive, and they are available in nearly every field, including health care, business, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.
The demand for doctorate degrees varies by discipline and specific job roles, but trends in degree completions give us insight into the state of doctoral education. According to Lightcast Analytics, from 2012 – 2022, the total number of doctoral degree completions increased by 20%, increasing from 170,815 – 205,341.
The following doctorate categories experienced increase in the past few years;
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Programs experienced increase by +75%
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services experienced increase by +64%
- Education experienced increase by +49%
- Health Professions and Related Programs saw a significant of by +49%
- Engineering experienced increase by +38%
At a more specific level, the doctoral programs that saw unexpected increase included:
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist experienced increase by +1,134%
- Nursing Practice experienced increase by +614%
- Organizational Leadership experienced increase by +368%
- Social Work experienced increase by +154%
Although other doctorate programs are experiencing growth, there are other programs that are suffering decrease in its field, the following doctorate programs are experiencing decrease in demand:
- Divinity/Ministry: by -42%
- History: -26%
- Law: -22%
- Psychology: -16%
The results above entails that industries are in need of higher levels of expertise and skill development and that is why we are seeing increased demand for doctoral degree holders. However, stagnant industries with fewer advancements tend to have less need for such high-level qualifications.
Earning a doctorate is neither difficult nor easy but the fact remaind that obtaining a doctorate degree in any discipline is rewarding. To help you prepare for success, consider downloading a free guide for tips and insights.
Demand for Online Doctorate Degrees
Generally, doctoral degrees are being offered exclusively in person. However, there has been a lot of advancement due to the tech world we see ourselves today. According to Lightcast Analytics, distance-offered doctoral degrees saw a 237% increase in graduates from 2012 to 2022, compared to just a 6% increase for non-distance programs.
The demand for online doctoral degrees is particularly evident in certain fields:
- Law: +150%
- Nursing Practice: +986%
- Educational Leadership and Administration (General): +427%
- Business Administration and Management (General): +243%
This shift towards online programs reflects the growing demand for flexible education options. This provides room for students from different locality to learn from the comfort of their homes.
How a Doctoral Degree Works
The path to a doctoral degree typically includes four stages: a core set of research and prep classes, major area emphasis courses, electives, and dissertation courses.
The Research Core
Most doctoral programs begin with a common core of classes that establish the foundational skills needed for the degree. This core often includes advanced writing methods, research methodology and design, applied statistics, and qualitative and quantitative research and analysis courses.
Major Focus Area
After completing the research core, you’ll take courses in your major emphasis of study. For example:
- DBA (Doctor of Business Administration): Courses in organizational behavior, strategic thinking, ethics, and change management.
- DHA (Doctor of Healthcare Administration): Courses in healthcare policy, economics, quality improvement, and health information governance.
- Ph.D. in Human Services: Courses in advanced research methods, social influences of behavior, ethics, and advanced communication.
Electives
Doctoral programs usually include elective courses within your field to provide a well-rounded education. For example, if you’re pursuing an Ed.D., you might focus on Higher Education Leadership or PK-12 Educational Leadership.
Dissertation Requirements
After completing foundational work, major area courses, and electives, you’ll begin working on your dissertation. For Ph.D. students, this typically involves a five-chapter dissertation, divided into three phases:
- Submitting a prospectus for approval.
- Finalizing initial chapters and collecting data.
- Completing the dissertation and defending it orally.
For applied doctorate students, the dissertation may involve creating a solution to a real-world problem.
