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If you’re looking to earn the highest degree in your field, you may be wondering whether to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a doctorate. Are there any differences between these two degrees, or are they the same thing?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. “Doctorate” is a broad term for the highest level of academic degree awarded in a field, while a PhD is one specific type of doctorate focused heavily on original research and scholarship. In other words, a PhD is a type of doctorate, but not all doctorates are PhDs.
Below, we take a closer look at PhD vs. doctorate degrees, their similarities and differences, and how to decide between a PhD and a professional or applied doctorate.
Key Points
• A doctorate is the highest level of degree in a field, while a PhD is a specific type of research-focused doctorate.
• PhD programs prioritize original research, academic scholarship, and the creation of new knowledge culminating in a dissertation.
• A professional or applied doctorate focuses on using existing research and advanced skills to solve real-world challenges.
• Program length, costs, and funding structures vary significantly between PhDs and professional doctoral programs.
• Choosing between a PhD and a professional doctorate depends primarily on your specific career objectives and academic interests.
What Is a Doctorate Degree?
A doctorate degree, also called a doctoral degree, is the highest level of graduate degree a student can earn in a particular field. Doctoral degrees can prepare students for academic research, professional practice, or advanced work in a specialized field.
Doctoral programs vary widely depending on the degree and field of study. Students may complete coursework, research, clinical or professional training, and a dissertation or other final project. The time required to complete a doctorate also varies by program.
Doctoral degrees generally fall into two main categories: Research-focused and practice-focused. Research or scholarship doctorates emphasize original research or other scholarly work. A PhD is the most common example of a research or scholarship doctorate. Professional practice doctorates, by contrast, prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed for advanced professional practice. Common examples include Doctor of Medicine (MD), Juris Doctor (JD), and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).
Types of Doctoral Degrees
There are many types of doctoral degrees to choose from, depending on your academic interests and professional goals. Here’s a look at some common examples.
Research or scholarship doctorates:
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Arts (DA)
• Doctor of Theology (ThD)
• Doctor of Science (DSc)
• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH or DPH)
These degrees generally emphasize advanced study, research, and the creation or advancement of knowledge. They typically require advanced work beyond the master’s level and include a dissertation based on original research or another substantial scholarly project.
Professional or applied doctorates:
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS)
• Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
• Juris Doctor (JD)
Professional and applied doctorates generally emphasize applying advanced knowledge to professional practice. These programs can lead to professional licensure when combined with accredited training and exams.
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What Is a PhD?
Is a PhD the same as a doctorate? Yes and no. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a type of doctoral degree, but there are many other types of doctorates.
Despite the word “philosophy” in its name, students can pursue PhDs in a wide range of academic disciplines, including the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, engineering, and business. The primary focus is generally original research and scholarship that contributes to knowledge in the field.
PhD programs often take several years to complete. The exact timeline depends on the field, school, program structure, and whether a student enters with a master’s degree. For example, Harvard’s English PhD program estimates four to seven years, which includes two years of coursework, taking qualifying exams, and spending several years conducting research and writing a dissertation.
A PhD is generally considered a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest formal degree you can earn in a specific field of study. Students may enter a PhD program after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the program’s admission requirements.
How PhD Programs Work
PhD programs can differ across institutions and academic fields, but many follow a similar general structure.
Students typically begin by completing advanced coursework in their field. They may then take qualifying or comprehensive examinations that assess their knowledge and prepare them to begin independent research. Once they meet their program’s requirements, students generally advance to doctoral candidacy and focus primarily on their dissertation research.
The dissertation is a major component of a PhD. Students conduct original research, write their findings, and typically defend the dissertation before a faculty committee. The goal is to make a scholarly contribution to the student’s field.
The cost of a doctorate degree and funding options can vary widely. Some full-time PhD programs provide funding packages that combine tuition support with a stipend, fellowship, or teaching or research assistantship. However, not every PhD program is fully funded. It’s important to compare the total cost of each program as well as available scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and other forms of financial aid.
Eligible students can also tap unsubsidized federal student loans to help pay for remaining costs and, if there are still gaps in funding, may consider private student loans. It’s important to keep in mind that private graduate student loans generally don’t offer federal borrower protections like income-driven repayment and potential forgiveness programs.
PhD vs Doctorate: Key Differences
The main difference between a PhD and a professional or applied doctorate is the emphasis of the degree. A PhD typically focuses on generating new knowledge through research, while a professional or applied doctorate generally emphasizes applying existing knowledge and research to professional practice. Here’s a general look at how these two types of doctoral degrees compare.
| PhD | Professional or Applied Doctorate | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Original research and advancing knowledge in an academic discipline | Applying advanced knowledge and research to a professional field or practice |
| Final project | Typically a dissertation based on original research | May involve a dissertation, applied research project, capstone, portfolio, or other final project |
| Typical career paths | Academic research, teaching, research organizations, government, industry, and other research-focused careers | Advanced professional practice, leadership, consulting, administration, and other roles related to the field |
| Program structure | Often includes substantial research training, coursework, qualifying exams, and independent dissertation research | Often combines advanced coursework with applied research, professional training, or practice-based projects |
| Funding | Some full-time programs offer tuition support and stipends through fellowships or assistantships | Funding varies and may include employer assistance, scholarships, or other financial aid |
Which Degree Is Right for You?
Choosing between a PhD and a professional or applied doctorate generally comes down to your career goals, interests, and the type of work you want to do after graduation.
A PhD may make sense if you want to conduct original research, pursue an academic career, or develop specialized expertise in a particular academic discipline. PhD graduates can also work outside academia in areas such as research, government, nonprofits, consulting, and industry. A PhD does not automatically mean a career in college teaching.
A professional or applied doctorate may be worth considering if you want to deepen your expertise while focusing on a particular profession or workplace. These programs can be designed around applying research and advanced knowledge to problems in professional practice. For example, professional doctorate programs can prepare students for advanced roles in fields such as education, business, social work, and health care.
Cost is another factor to consider. Doctoral programs can have very different tuition rates and funding opportunities so you’ll want to compare the total cost of each program rather than assuming one type of doctorate will always cost less. Some PhD programs provide substantial funding, while professional doctorate programs may have different funding structures.
It’s also wise to consider the program’s length, admission requirements, course format, requirements, the career paths of recent graduates, and whether the program provides the training or credentials required for your intended profession.
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The Takeaway
A PhD is a type of doctorate, but the terms aren’t interchangeable. “Doctorate” is a broad category that includes research doctorates, professional practice doctorates, and other doctoral degrees. A PhD is generally a research-focused doctorate that emphasizes contributing new knowledge to an academic field. Professional or applied doctorates generally focus on applying advanced knowledge to professional practice.
When comparing a PhD with another type of doctorate, it’s important to look beyond the degree title. Consider the program’s research requirements, final project, cost, funding, format, length, and career preparation. The right choice depends largely on the type of work you want to pursue and how you want to use your doctoral degree.
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FAQ
Is a PhD the same as a doctorate?
A PhD is a type of doctorate, but the terms aren’t interchangeable. “Doctorate” is a broad term for the highest level of graduate degree in a particular field and includes research and professional doctorates. A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is generally a research-focused doctorate that emphasizes original research and scholarly contributions. Other doctoral degrees include professional degrees such as the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Juris Doctor (JD), and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).
What careers require a professional doctorate vs. a PhD?
Some careers require a specific professional doctorate or another professional degree for entry and licensure. For example, physicians typically need an MD or DO, while pharmacists generally need a Pharm.D. A PhD is commonly used for careers involving academic research and teaching, although many PhD holders work in government, industry, nonprofits, and other fields. Whether a doctorate is required depends on the profession and applicable licensing requirements.
How long does it take to earn a PhD vs. a professional doctorate?
The time required varies by field, school, program structure, and whether you enter with a master’s degree. PhD programs often take several years because they typically include advanced coursework, qualifying exams, original research, and a dissertation. Professional doctorates can also take several years, but the timeline varies significantly by degree. For example, medical programs and other professional doctorates have different coursework, clinical, and licensing requirements.
Can you get a doctorate without writing a dissertation?
Yes. Not every doctoral program requires a traditional dissertation. Some professional and applied doctorate programs may require an applied research project, capstone, portfolio, or another final project instead. Requirements vary by degree and institution, so check the specific program’s curriculum. Many PhD programs, however, require a dissertation based on original research and a formal defense before a faculty committee.
Which pays more, a PhD or a professional doctorate?
There isn’t a single salary outcome for either type of doctorate. Earnings depend on the field, occupation, experience, location, and employer, among other factors. A professional doctorate can lead to careers with different salary ranges than those commonly pursued by PhD graduates. For example, physicians and pharmacists have different career paths from academic researchers. When comparing programs, it’s important to consider potential career paths and earnings alongside tuition, funding, and other costs rather than comparing the degree types alone.
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