PhD vs. Professional Doctorate
The decision to pursue a doctoral degree is one of the most significant choices of your academic life. It involves a lot of dedication, yet it results in the greatest amount of professionalism in your career. The moment you begin to research your options, you will encounter a confusing mix of terms. PhDs, professional doctorates, applied doctoratesØ› it can be overwhelming.
You might be left wondering which one is superior, which one will assist you in attaining your career objectives, and how they are different. It is an inherent part of decision-making. The positive news is that it is not as complicated as it seems.
This guide provides easy-to-understand answers, clarifies every route, and makes you confident in making the right choice of degree.
First Things First: What Is the Difference between a PhD and a Doctorate?
Before we begin to detail, we must first clear up a common misconception. Consider the umbrella term of doctorate. The highest degree that a university can give in any subject is a doctorate or doctoral degree.
The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, is the most widespread form of doctorate. This implies that all PhDs are doctorates, but not all doctorates are PhDs.
Other doctorates typically either belong to one of two broad categories: academic research degrees, such as the PhD, and professional degrees, which we will discuss next.
Read more: PhD Programmes, Research Projects & Studentships
What is a PhD Degree?
The PhD is an internationally recognized degree that represents a commitment to academic research. If you are ready to ask questions, test theories, and add new knowledge to the world, then it's for you.
What Does PhD Stand For?
PhD is an abbreviation of Doctor of Philosophy. The name is deceptive, as you can get a PhD in a variety of disciplines, not only philosophy.
In this case, the word philosophy is of Greek origin, which translates to love of wisdom. It indicates the emphasis of the degree on the profound study of knowledge by means of intensive research.
The Core Focus: Creating New Knowledge
The essence of a PhD program is the development of new knowledge. Its primary objective is to equip you as a professional researcher who can create original work that can advance your discipline. PhD students take a number of years to study a particular subject, analyze data, and come up with new concepts.
The result is a dissertation, a large work of original research, a new finding or theory. The degree is awarded after the dissertation is formally defended in front of a panel of academic experts. Due to this high level of research, a PhD is commonly the career choice in academia, including professors or full-time researchers.
What is a Professional Doctorate?
The PhD is an academic research degree, and the professional doctorate is intended to be applied by professionals who are already experienced and want to directly apply advanced knowledge to their field.
These applied or practitioner doctorates are most appropriate to those who desire to be leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers in their industry.
The Core Focus: Applying Knowledge to Practice
A professional doctorate is not intended to generate new theoretical knowledge; rather, it uses the existing theories and research to address complex, real-world issues. The students in these programs are typically already in their careers, and their workplaces serve as living laboratories for their studies.
The final project of a professional doctorate is more practical instead of a traditional dissertation. It could be an applied research project that addresses a problem in your organization, a collection of work that illustrates advanced practice, or a doctoral study that suggests a solution to a problem facing the industry. It is always focused on creating a physical difference in a work environment.
Examples of Professional Doctorate
There are professional doctorates in a broad spectrum of disciplines. The most typical ones are:
Doctor of Education (EdD): This is a degree offered to experienced educators and administrators who desire to transform school systems and guide educational organizations.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): It is a degree awarded to the top business executives who desire to use advanced theories in addressing complicated business issues.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): It is a program that is provided to advanced practice nurses who want to improve healthcare outcomes and become clinical leaders.
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD): It is a degree that is given to individuals who are interested in becoming clinicians and are interested in the practical application of psychology in treating patients.
Professional Doctorate vs. PhD: Head-to-Head Comparison
What is the fundamental difference between these two courses, then? A PhD makes you a research scholar, who develops new ideas, and a professional doctorate makes you a leader, who puts the knowledge available to him or her to solve real-life problems. One is not superior to the other; they are guided to various careers.
Read more: Postdoc Positions and Postdoctoral Fellowships
Comparison Table
Is a PhD Higher Than a Professional Doctorate?
This is a common question, and the simple answer is no. A PhD is not a higher degree than a professional doctorate. Both are considered terminal degrees, which means they are the highest level of education you can achieve in a field.
It is not a matter of rank, difficulty, or prestige, but purpose. A PhD educates scholarly researchers; a professional doctorate prepares expert leaders and practitioners. Both are challenging, esteemed, and indicate great academic success.
The Big Question: Can You Be Called 'Doctor'?
Yes, you can be called "Doctor" with any kind of doctoral degree, including a PhD. This might sound easy, yet it is worth noting to anyone who is thinking of a doctoral degree.
Can You Be a Professor with a Professional Doctorate?
Yes, you may be a professor with a professional doctorate, and many of the graduates are. A professional doctorate is a powerful credential in higher-education teaching, particularly in those programs where practical experience is highly regarded. An example is that a business school might want to hire a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) to teach management, whereas a nursing program might want to hire a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to teach clinical courses.
But there is a significant difference: in tenured, research-intensive faculty jobs at major research universities, a PhD is typically necessary. These positions are centered on original scholarly research and publication of scholarly articles, the essence of PhD training.
Academic Doctorate vs. Professional Doctorate: Which Path is Right for You?
Now that you know the main differences, it is time to consider your future. The most appropriate option is all about your personal and professional objectives. No one right answer exists, only the one that suits you.
Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
Stop and think about what really motivates you. The questions below can assist in clarifying your focus.
What is my ultimate career goal? Imagine yourself in ten years. Will you be lecturing in a college, working in a laboratory, or managing a group in a business boardroom or hospital wing? The most important guide is your long-term vision.
What kind of problems do I want to solve? When you are interested in theoretical questions and knowledge gaps, follow a research-oriented path. When you want to address the daily problems in your work or industry, take a course that uses the knowledge that is available.
What is my professional background? A PhD is a logical continuation of a master's degree and an extension of your academic background. The professional doctorate is usually the most potent one after a few years of practical experience, that you can apply to your research.
Making Your Decision with Confidence
Choose a PhD in case you are ardent about academic research and scholarship. The most appropriate one is a professional doctorate in case you desire to be a leader, innovator, and directly influence the industry. Both paths are difficult, yet they will take one to different, yet equally satisfying destinations.
No matter the path you choose, you should be concise in your application papers. Modern tools can help with this, e.g.,kiteAI can help you customize your CV, SOP, and emails to the opportunity you are applying to.
Taking the Next Step in Your Application Journey
After having a clear sense of direction, the second step of your journey starts: the application process. It is a very thrilling period when you begin to make your dreams come true. It is here that your hard work begins to pay off, whether you are seeking the ideal research supervisor or whether you are seeking to establish yourself as a future industry leader.
The best place to start is to see what opportunities are available at the moment. The first step you can begin with is the Applykite search engine: choose your field and country of destination to view the best and most recent positions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are professional doctorates respected?
Yes. The professional doctorates are regarded as the most prestigious and the highest practitioner degree in their respective fields.
What is the difference between a Doctor of Education (EdD) and a PhD in Education?
An EdD is a professional doctorate that applies existing research to enhance school systems and equips graduates with leadership and administration positions. A PhD in Education is a research degree that generates new knowledge and is typically sought by individuals who want to work in academic positions.
What is the difference between a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) vs. a PhD in Business?
A DBA is a professional doctorate that uses business theory to address real-world corporate issues and equips graduates with executive positions. A PhD in Business is an academic degree that emphasizes original research and theory development, and usually results in a teaching career in a university.
What is the easiest doctorate to obtain?
There is no simple doctorate; everyone requires years of work and dedication. You should select the degree that suits your career interests and objectives rather than seek the easiest one.
What level is a professional doctorate? Is it higher than a master's?
The highest level of academic achievement is a professional doctorate, the highest degree in its field. It is therefore more developed than a master's degree.