A doctorate is the highest academic degree you can achieve, with several types available.
Professional doctorates prepare you for specific careers, such as law or medicine. In contrast, a Ph.D., one of the most common types, focuses on theory and research.
During a doctoral program, you’ll engage in graduate-level seminars and courses, pass comprehensive exams, conduct original research, and defend your dissertation before a faculty committee.
Most professional doctorates take 3-5 years to complete, while a Ph.D. typically requires 4-6 years of study. In some fields, you can even earn your doctorate online.
Admission requirements vary by program; some require a master’s degree, while others accept applicants with just a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the program, you may also need to submit standardized test scores.
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What Can You Do With a Doctoral Degree?
If you aim to become a physician, professor, or lawyer, earning a doctorate is essential. In many professions, a doctorate also leads to higher salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyers, pharmacists, and physicists all have median salaries exceeding $125,000 per year.
The table below highlights the earning potential and demand for popular careers requiring a doctoral degree.
Popular Doctoral Degree Jobs Overseas
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Physician or Surgeon | >$239,200 | 3% |
| Dentist | $200,870 | 4% |
| Physicist or Astronomer | $155,680 | 5% |
| Pharmacist | $136,030 | 3% |
| Lawyer | $145,760 | 8% |
Types of Doctoral Degrees
A doctorate is the highest level of education, and there are several types of doctoral degrees available. Here are some of the most common:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
The Ph.D. is the most widely pursued doctorate, offered in various arts and sciences disciplines. Other doctoral degrees are named after the specific career paths they prepare you for.