is doctorate different from phd

PhD vs Doctorate: Key Differences

Although "PhD" and "Doctorate" are often used interchangeably, understanding the distinctions between a PhD is crucial for anyone considering this level of education.

• ⏳ 3-5 min read
• Getting Started

Page Content

✨ 5-second summary, what is a phd.

A PhD is one of the highest academic degrees you can earn, and it’s all about contributing something new to your area of study. Imagine delving deep into the intricacies of quantum mechanics to uncover new theories or exploring uncharted territories in social psychology to better understand human behavior.

With a PhD, you’ll spend up to 3-5 years immersing yourself in research, publishing articles, writing a thesis, and eventually defending your work before experts in the field. This degree is not just about learning what others have discovered—it’s about making your own discoveries and publish it. 

What is a doctorate degree?

Doctorate is a postgraduate academic degree. It comes in various forms such as Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Arts (DA) and the most common Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These degrees are for people who want to take their expertise to the highest level in their professional fields.

For example, if you’re driven to reform educational systems, an EdD could empower you to implement effective changes. If you’re aiming for a leadership role in a business, a DBA might provide the strategic insight and research skills you need.

PhD vs. Doctorate: academic and research focus

If you’re pursuing a PhD, be prepared to focus intensely on research. This degree demands that you contribute something entirely new to your field, whether through a groundbreaking thesis or experiments. You’ll likely spend 4 years conducting research, gathering data, and analyzing results, all with the goal of advancing human knowledge. 

On the other hand, if you’re enrolled in a professional doctorate program, your studies will be more about applying existing knowledge to solve specific problems. Instead of a traditional dissertation, you might work on a capstone project directly addressing issues in your professional area. Whether it’s improving healthcare delivery or enhancing business practices, the emphasis is on real-world application.

PhD vs Doctorate: duration and structure of programs

A PhD isn’t a quick journey—it typically takes anywhere from 3.5 to 5 years to complete. You’ll start with research work and comprehensive examsbefore moving on to years of focused research and writing your dissertation. The journey is long, but the reward is a deep expertise and the potential to make significant contributions to your field.

Based on yourfield, finishing the program might take even longer time. During my years of PhD studies, I met students who were on program 8-10 years. It wasa unique situation, and you shouldn’t be afraid of starting the program, fearing that it will take so much time. Nowadays most of the universities have regulations of 4 years programs, and Principal Investigator (PI) usually can’t pay a salary longer than that.

Professional doctorates, by contrast, are often completed in 3 to 4 years. Duration varies based on the field (e.g., 4-5 years for M.D. programs, 3 years for J.D. programs). These programs blend coursework with applied research projects or practical experiences. The structure is designed to fit the busy lives of working professionals, allowing you to advance your career without stepping away from your job for too long.

PhD vs Doctorate: career opportunities

Many PhD graduates see their future in academia, taking on roles as PI with a future potential professorship, a position of researcher or a teacher. But a PhD can also open doors in industries that value deep expertise and advanced research skills, such as pharmaceuticals, tech, or consultancy.

With a professional doctorate, you’re poised for leadership roles within your industry. Whether it’s leading a school district, heading up a corporate division, or becoming a top consultant, these degrees prepare you for high-level positions where you can apply your advanced knowledge and skills.

PhD vs Doctorate: admission requirements

Getting into a PhD program usually requires anacademic background, often with prior research experience. You’ll need to demonstrate your potential for original research, which sometimes means having a research proposal. Based on a country, programs may require GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a clear statement of purpose.

For a professional doctorate, your work experience can be just as important as your academic achievements. Admissions committees look for candidates with a proven track record in their field, who are ready to take on leadership roles. Practical experience, relevant qualifications, and demonstrated leadership skills are key components of a successful application.

PhD vs Doctorate: financial considerations

PhD programs often come with various funding opportunities, including scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships that provide a stipend. Many students receive financial support in exchange for teaching or research duties, which can make pursuing a PhD more financially feasible. In the EU PhD positions are usually fully funded, meaning that you will get a salary and there will be no tuition fee. All students from different countries who I met at conferences have been receiving a salary.

Otherdoctorate programs may have higher tuition costs, and while some funding options are available, they are often less extensive than for PhD programs. However, many students in these programs also receive sponsorship or reimbursement from their employers, recognizing the degree’s value in advancing their professional careers.

PhD vs Doctorate: academic vs. professional orientation

Depending on the field,PhD can be fully theoretical or done with experimental parts, like in Life Science or Engineering. No matter what topic you choose to study, you’ll be trained to think critically, conduct research, and contribute to the academic discourse in your field. PhD studies prepare you to become an independent researcher and it’s valuable in all professions.

In contrast, professional doctorates are geared towards solving real-world problems. The focus is on applying theory to practice, improving systems, and leading change in your field. If you’re passionate about making a tangible difference in your professional domain, a professional doctorate offers the tools and credentials to do just that.

In summary, both PhDs and other doctorate degrees represent the pinnacle of academic and professional achievement, but they serve different purposes. A PhD is ideal for those who wish to contribute to academic knowledge and pursue careers in research and academia, while professional doctorates are tailored for individuals looking to apply advanced knowledge in leadership roles within their industries. Understanding these differences is crucial in choosing the path that aligns best with your goals and aspirations.

All PhDs are doctorates, but not all doctorates are PhDs.

Natalia Akkuratova Author

Natalia holds a PhD in Medical Science from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and has 13 years of academic experience, including teaching and student mentorship. After defending her PhD, she worked as a digital marketing specialist at Keystone Education Group.

Find a program in these categories

• Doctoral Degrees

Read related articles

How to Study Abroad Guide: What Can I Study Abroad?

July 2024 Master's Degree Bachelor's Degree Preparing to Study Abroad Associate's Degree PhD

Global Ambassador Ade: How will an MBA program benefit me?

July 2024 Getting Started Study Abroad in the Netherlands Study Abroad in Europe MBA Business

Best Decision of My Life: Pursuing My PhD at Manchester Met

July 2024 Student Stories Study Abroad in the United Kingdom Why Study Abroad? PhD

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

CollegeRank.net

Best College Rankings

Doctorate vs PhD: What’s the Difference?

Quick Highlights:

• All PhDs are doctoral degrees, while not all doctorates are PhDs.
• Both are doctoral degrees, but a PhD is specifically academic and focused on original research.
• Professional doctorates (like an Ed.D, M.D., DBA) are applied and tailored to specific professions.
• In most cases, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree before pursuing a doctoral degree.

The difference between a doctorate and PhD is one of categorical grouping. Simply put, a doctorate is an umbrella term for an advanced degree beyond that of a master’s degree. In other words, all PhDs are doctorates, while not all doctorates are PhDs. Here’s a simple graphic to help you visualize the concept:

In other words, a PhD–which stands for Doctor of Philosophy–is a special kind of doctorate degree, while a doctorate degree refers to the higest degree available in various fields. So a PhD is a doctorate, but a doctorate is not necessarily a PhD.

The distinction between a PhD and a Doctorate can be quite meaningful depending on your academic and professional goals. So read on to learn about the various types of doctoral degrees, the difference between them, and why they’re important.

Related:  How to Prepare for your Graduate School Interview

What Is a Doctoral Degree?

A doctoral degree is a general term for a terminal degree that usually is awarded when someone pursues their studies beyond the level of a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Doctoral degrees can be awarded in any number of fields, from education and English literature to chemistry and calculus.

Doctoral degrees typically come in two forms:

• a professional (also known as applied doctorate)
• an academic doctorate

Related: What is a Terminal Degree?

What is an Applied Doctorate Degree?

Professional or applied doctorate degrees qualify someone to work in a specific profession. This includes things like:

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Degree holders with a professional doctorate degree are qualified to work at the highest level within their field. 

These professional degrees require academic research. It will culminate in a dissertation which must be defended in front of a group. A dissertation, like a thesis, is a lengthy and involved paper that incorporates research and applies a theory to make advances within the field.  

Some of the most common fields for a professional doctoral program are:

• Physical therapy
• Osteopathic medicine
• Occupational therapy
• Educational leadership
• Medicine 

We’ll discuss a few of the most common professional doctorate degree programs below.

Related: What Is The Difference Between College and University?

An Ed.D. is a professional doctorate for educators with teaching and administration responsibilities as well as those working in nonprofits and governmental agencies. These programs offer advanced leadership training which can help students advance their career. Students learn effective strategies to solve real-world problems they’ll encounter out in the field.

Ed.D. programs do not follow a standard curriculum. Each program is unique, and many can be tailored to meet the needs of each individual student. Some are offered online while others follow a more traditional format.

Doctor of Business Administration

The DBA is a professional degree for business professionals. These programs build upon the skills taught in an MBA program. Students are often accomplished executives who want to be better, more innovative business leaders.

DBA students conduct practical research that directly applies to the business world. Students will develop new insights and solutions to business challenges.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Psychology is an area where students can choose to complete either a Ph.D. or a PsyD degree. A PsyD degree emphasizes the clinical and applied aspects of psychology. This degree is growing in popularity for several different reasons:

• Completion time is often less than a traditional PhD
• Specialization options
• Opportunity to complete a dual degree (MSW or MPH are popular)

The PsyD focuses on practice over research so students begin working on fieldwork sooner in the program. This hands-on experience is valuable as students begin to build their professional portfolio.

Related: Best Online Doctorates in Psychology

An M.D. is the degree of choice for students planning a career in medicine. These highly competitive and rigorous programs include the classroom and intensive training students need to join the medical field.

M.D. programs usually require students to complete four years of medical school followed by a residency. The residency can take between two and five years depending on the area of medicine.

While an M.D. degree requires a significant commitment of time and money, the investment plays off with a high salary and job security.

Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)

An O.D. an expert in primary eye care. They diagnose and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. An O.D. degree can take between eight and nine years of education beyond high school. Students take classes in areas like:

• gross anatomy
• neuroscience
• biochemistry

An optometrist can determine if an individual needs corrective lenses or contacts to improve their vision. They can check for signs of glaucoma or other degenerative eye conditions. In some states, an optometrist can prescribe certain medications.

Regardless of the individual field that you pursue, you can know that a doctoral degree will make you a highly qualified candidate for upper level positions in your field. 

What Is a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree?

Academic doctorates, on the other hand, are degrees that qualify someone to study, research, or teach at the highest level in his or her field. At some schools, like Franklin University, professional doctorates are referred to as an application oriented-degree while Ph.D.s, or academic doctorates, are referred to as research degrees. 

A Ph.D. is actually a specific type of doctoral degree. This means that rather than being completely separate from one another, Ph.D.s are really just a specific subtype of the umbrella term “doctorate degree.” 

A Ph.D. is an academic degree focused on original research and the application of new ideas to existing knowledge. This research based degree emphases research skills that allow student to contribute to the advancement of their field. Lots of people falsely believe that a Ph.D. is limited to fields in the social sciences. This is likely due to the word “philosophy” in the title. Rather than meaning philosophy in the modern sense, though, the word philosophy in a Ph.D. refers to its Latin origins, meaning “love of wisdom”. 

The reality is that Ph.D.s are research degrees available in many fields. Some of the most common degree fields for a Ph.D. include:

• Applied mathematics
• Accounting and finance
• Biomedical engineering
• Chemical engineering 
• Clinical psychology
• Computer science
• Counseling psychology
• Data analysis

No matter what kind of Ph.D. you undertake, you will always graduate from a Ph.D. program with a high level of competence, respect, and mobility within your career field. 

How To Apply for a PhD vs Doctorate Program

Once you’ve made the choice between a professional degree versus doctorate , you’ll need to figure out how to apply to your chosen program. Because Ph.D. programs are simply a specific type of a doctorate program, the application process varies more by school than it does by degree type. 

In general, when you apply to a doctoral program, you’ll need to have already completed a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. In many cases, your bachelor’s degree can be in any field. It does not need to be related to the field you’re pursuing at the professional level. In most cases, your master’s does need to be related in some way. 

If it’s not, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll need to complete some prerequisite graduate-level classes before you can apply for your doctorate program. You’ll need to check with each program about the prerequisites before you apply. 

Once you’re sure that you meet the prerequisites required of a doctoral student, you’ll also need to get your application materials. Generally this means:

• transcripts from your undergrad and graduate school coursework
• letters of recommendation
• an essay or statement of purpose
• recent GRE or GMAT scores

Again, application requirements will vary by school so you’ll want to check directly with those you’re applying to. 

PhD vs Doctorate Degree: Which is Longer?

The amount of time it takes to complete your doctorate vs PhD degree will largely depend on what work you’ve done before it, and whether you’ll be pursuing it part-time or full-time. If you have completed a master’s in the field already, you will need to complete fewer credits to complete the doctoral degree. 

At some schools, there is an option to combine your master’s with your doctorate degree. These accelerated programs usually allow you to take a year of study off your total commitment.

Still, terminal degrees are no small time commitment. Most degrees take anywhere from five to eight years to complete when pursued full-time. In general, Ph.D. programs tend to take slightly longer than professional doctorates. For example, to complete a doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree, doctoral students must complete at least 60 credits. In contrast, Ph.D. students completing a Ph.D. in Education must complete 90 credits. 

Earning Potential of a Professional Doctorate vs PhD

While a professional doctorate and a Ph.D. are seemingly very similar, they do differ in terms of earning potential. 

This is likely because many Ph.D. programs lead to careers in teaching or research. These are two fields that are notoriously low in funding, unless you find one of the relatively less common highly paid positions in these fields. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a postsecondary teacher at colleges or universities is about $80,000. The average salary of postsecondary teachers in the field of scientific development and research is more, at nearly $110,000, and the average salary of a researcher in the field of medical science is nearly $90,000. 

Compare these salaries to those of professional doctorates like a medical doctor or a lawyer. A medical doctor earns an average salary of $208,000 while a lawyer receives an average salary of roughly $123,000. 

Doctoral Degree vs PhD: How Do They Stack Up?

While a Ph.D. is simply a subtype of doctorate, there are some distinct differences that set it apart from professional doctorate degrees. 

While Ph.D.s are typically heavy on research, professional doctorates are heavy on application of knowledge to a specific professional field. The body of knowledge developed in a Ph.D. program may be slightly broader, while the knowledge built in a professional doctorate program is tailored more directly to a specific career. 

Both programs have similar application processes, but the Ph.D. program may take slightly longer to complete on average than the professional doctorate program does. Finally, professional degree PhD program graduates tend to earn slightly more than Ph.D. graduates. 

If you’re interested in pursuing a doctorate degree, you’ll need to consider a professional doctorate degree vs PhD. You’ll want to research your programs before applying. Sites like CollegeRank can help you to narrow your options by providing curated college rankings geared to a number of different factors, from campus size to return on investment, and more. 

What kind of research is required in a PhD compared to a professional doctorate?

According to the Council of Graduate Schools , A PhD requires students to conduct original research that contributes new theoretical insights to their academic field. This often involves extensive data collection, hypothesis testing, and the development of a dissertation that advances academic understanding in your chosen area of focus.

In contrast, professional doctorates focus on applied research , which is aimed at solving practical problems in a professional context. Instead of a dissertation, professional doctorate students typically complete a capstone project or applied research paper that addresses real-world issues within their field.

Which type of degree is better suited for someone interested in teaching at the university level?

A PhD is generally better suited for those looking to pursue a career in academia or research, especially in tenure-track university teaching positions. Universities typically prefer candidates with a PhD for roles that involve teaching, mentoring graduate students, and conducting research. However, professional doctorates can also be valuable for teaching, particularly in fields like education or business where applied knowledge is critical.

Do professional doctorates take less time to complete than PhD programs?

Professional doctorates, such as EdD or DBA, often take less time to complete compared to PhD programs. PhDs typically require 4-7 years due to extensive research and dissertation work, while professional doctorates usually take 3-6 years. Although with the introduction of accelerated doctoral programs, these timelines will vary depending on the university that you choose.

Can someone with a professional doctorate still contribute to academic research?

Yes, individuals with professional doctorates can contribute to academic research, particularly in applied fields, but the focus of their research is typically on solving real-world problems rather than advancing theoretical knowledge.

Is a PhD or a Doctorate degree more recognized in non-academic careers?

Professional doctorates are more recognized in non-academic careers due to their focus on applying knowledge to professional practice. A PhD , while respected, is generally more suited for academic and research roles.