A Ph.D. is a type of doctoral degree geared toward research and teaching in a specific field.
In the United States and in many other countries, the highest academic degree is referred to as a "doctoral degree" or "doctorate." In the United States, there are several kinds of doctorates, including the Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree, which can be obtained in many fields. Therefore, a Ph.D. is a type of doctoral degree, but not all doctorates are Ph.D.s. Other countries have doctoral degrees in various fields as well, but not necessarily the exact same types of doctorates or doctoral curricula as American degrees.
Earning a Doctoral Degree
To earn a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in the United States, a person must possess an undergraduate education. Some degree programs recommend, or even require, a master's degree before advancing to a doctoral degree. These requirements depend on the field of study and the school offering the degree. Students starting a Ph.D. program with only a bachelor's degree may be required to take one or more extra years of study to earn a doctoral degree.
Types of Doctoral Degrees
There are two main types of doctorates in the United States: research doctorates and professional doctorates. A Ph.D. is a type of research doctorate, and differs from professional doctorates, such as those awarded to medical doctors (M.D.), lawyers (J.D.) or veterinarians (D.V.M.). While Ph.D. stands for Doctor of Philosophy, these doctorates are not limited to the field of philosophy. Rather, this is a general term that can refer to a doctoral degree in a variety of academic disciplines.
Academic Doctorates and Professional Doctorates
Academic doctorates, such as doctorates of philosophy (Ph.D.), social work (D.S.W.), or fine arts (D.F.A.), are geared toward academic study and research. Many people with academic doctorates go on to work at universities, doing research and teaching classes. While many other academic doctorates are specific to a certain field, Ph.D.s can be obtained in many academic disciplines.
Professional Doctorates
Professional doctorates are obtained so that the doctor may work in a specific clinical field, rather than doing research or teaching. For example, common professional doctorates include: Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.). While many professional doctorates are geared toward medical practice, there are several professional doctoral degrees that are required for non-medical careers. Lawyers must hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, and students can also obtain degrees such as Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) for government work, Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) or Doctor of Practical Theology (D.Th.P.) for religious vocations, or Doctor of Management (D.Mgt.) for management careers.
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