Students graduating with doctoral degrees
Are you contemplating the next step after your master’s degree? Perhaps you’re intrigued by the idea of reaching the zenith of academic achievement? Understanding “What Is Doctoral Degree” is crucial as you explore your advanced education options.
A doctoral degree represents the highest level of academic qualification attainable. It signifies mastery in a specific discipline or professional field, marking you as an expert and thought leader. But what exactly does earning a doctorate entail? What fields can you pursue, and what’s the journey like? This guide serves as your comprehensive introduction to doctoral degrees.
Defining the Doctoral Degree
The doctoral degree, often simply referred to as a doctorate, is the ultimate academic credential, demonstrating profound expertise and original contribution to knowledge. Achieving a doctorate is not merely about accumulating knowledge; it’s about creating it.
Doctoral programs are characterized by rigorous research and scholarly expression. Candidates are expected to conduct in-depth investigations into complex subjects, perform original research and analysis, and contribute novel insights or solutions to their chosen field. This demanding process cultivates critical thinking, analytical prowess, and the ability to lead and innovate.
Earning a doctoral degree opens doors to elite consulting positions, leadership roles in education, and positions you as a vanguard in your industry. In today’s fiercely competitive job market, a doctorate provides a distinct advantage, ensuring professional relevance and career longevity. For many, completing a doctorate is the realization of a significant personal and intellectual ambition.
The Growing Demand for Doctoral Expertise
The need for doctoral degree holders varies across industries and specific roles. However, analyzing trends in degree completion offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of doctoral-level education and the increasing value placed on advanced expertise.
Data from Lightcast Analytics reveals a substantial 20% growth in doctoral degree completions between 2012 and 2022, rising from 170,815 to 205,341. This upward trend underscores the escalating demand for individuals with doctoral-level skills and knowledge.
Certain doctoral categories have experienced particularly robust growth over this decade, reflecting shifts in industry needs and priorities:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Programs: A remarkable 75% increase, indicating the growing complexity of the business world and the demand for strategic leaders.
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: A 64% surge, driven by the rapid expansion of technology and the need for innovation in the digital age.
- Education: A 49% rise, highlighting the ongoing emphasis on educational advancement and leadership in schools and institutions.
- Health Professions and Related Programs: A 49% increase, reflecting the expanding healthcare sector and the demand for specialized medical expertise and research.
- Engineering: A 38% growth, spurred by technological advancements and the need for sophisticated engineering solutions.
Zooming into specific doctoral programs reveals even more pronounced growth in high-demand areas:
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist: An impressive 1,134% increase, signaling the rising importance of rehabilitative healthcare services.
- Nursing Practice: A significant 614% growth, driven by the increasing complexity of healthcare and the need for advanced nursing professionals.
- Organizational Leadership: A substantial 368% increase, reflecting the demand for effective leadership in increasingly complex organizations.
- Social Work: A notable 154% rise, indicating the growing need for advanced social work professionals to address societal challenges.
Conversely, some programs have seen a decrease in demand, reflecting evolving societal priorities and workforce needs:
- Divinity/Ministry: -42%
- History: -26%
- Law: -22%
- Psychology: -16%
These trends suggest that industries characterized by increasing complexity and rapid growth are driving the demand for doctoral expertise. Conversely, more stable industries may see a less pronounced need for doctoral-level professionals.
Embarking on a doctoral journey is a significant undertaking. Are you truly prepared for what lies ahead? Download our free guide for essential tips and insights to navigate your path to success.
The Accessibility Revolution: Online Doctorate Degrees
Historically, doctoral programs were predominantly offered in traditional on-campus formats. However, the landscape of higher education has shifted dramatically, with online learning emerging as a powerful and flexible alternative. Lightcast Analytics data confirms this transformation: distance-offered doctoral degrees witnessed an astounding 237% increase in graduates from 2012 to 2022, while non-distance programs experienced a modest growth of just 6%.
This exponential growth of online doctoral degrees is evident across various disciplines. Distance-based completions have surged by:
- Law: 150%
- Nursing Practice: 986%
- Educational Leadership and Administration (General): 427%
- Business Administration and Management (General): 243%
Growth of Online Doctoral Degrees
This shift towards online doctoral programs reflects the increasing recognition of online learning’s efficacy and convenience, making doctoral education more accessible to working professionals and individuals with diverse commitments.
Decoding Doctoral Degrees: Research vs. Professional Doctorates
Navigating the world of doctoral degrees requires understanding the fundamental distinction between two primary types: research-oriented degrees and professional application degrees (also known as applied doctorates). While the lines may sometimes blur, recognizing their core differences is crucial for choosing the right path.
Here’s a breakdown to clarify the distinction between these two common doctoral paths:
The Ph.D.: The Realm of Research and Discovery
Research doctorates, most famously the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), are dedicated to advancing knowledge through original research. Despite the name, the “philosophy” in Ph.D. refers to the love of wisdom and the pursuit of knowledge in any field, not just the discipline of philosophy itself. Besides the Ph.D., other research-focused doctorates include:
- Doctor of Arts (D.A.)
- Doctor of Theology (Th.D.)
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH or DPH)
The cornerstone of a Ph.D. and similar research doctorates is the dissertation process. This extensive research project requires students to delve deeply into a specific topic, conduct rigorous research, and present a substantial written work that contributes new knowledge to their field. Ph.D. graduates typically pursue careers in academia, research institutions, or advanced research roles in various industries.
The Professional Doctorate: Applying Knowledge to Real-World Challenges
Professional doctorates, also known as applied or terminal professional doctorates, prioritize the practical application of knowledge to solve real-world problems and advance professional practice. These degrees are designed for individuals seeking to become leaders and innovators within their respective professions.
A professional doctorate is an ideal choice if your career aspirations include:
- Accelerated career advancement into leadership positions
- Meeting the credentials for senior-level corporate roles
- Establishing credibility for teaching and training within your industry
- Building a consulting practice based on advanced expertise
Common examples of professional doctorates include:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
- Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS)
- Doctor of Finance (D.Fin.)
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) (often considered a professional doctorate in law)
While some professional doctorates may include a dissertation-like project, the focus is typically on applied research and problem-solving within a professional context, rather than purely theoretical research. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, strategic thinking, and leadership development to equip graduates for high-impact roles in their chosen fields.
The Doctoral Degree Journey: A Step-by-Step Approach
The path to a doctoral degree is structured around a progressive curriculum, typically encompassing four key stages: a research core, major area specialization, electives, and the culminating dissertation.
Building a Foundation: The Research Core
Doctoral programs typically commence with a foundational research core, designed to equip students with the essential skills for advanced scholarly work. This core curriculum often includes courses in:
- Advanced Academic Writing
- Research Methodology and Design (both qualitative and quantitative)
- Applied Statistics
- Colloquium Courses (seminars for scholarly discussion and exchange)
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research and Analysis Techniques
This core establishes a robust methodological foundation, ensuring students are prepared for the rigorous research demands of doctoral-level study.
Specializing Your Expertise: Major Focus Area
Following the research core, the curriculum shifts to specialized coursework within your chosen major area of emphasis. This allows you to delve deeply into your specific field of study. For example:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Coursework might include organizational behavior, organizational systems, strategic thinking and decision-making, ethical leadership, and change management.
- Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA): Specialized courses could cover healthcare policy and regulations, healthcare economics and finance, quality and process improvement in healthcare, and health information governance.
- Ph.D. in Human Services: The curriculum might feature advanced research methods for public service, social influences on behavior, ethics in decision-making within human services, and advanced communication for leaders in the field.
This focused coursework ensures you develop in-depth knowledge and specialized skills within your chosen discipline.
Broadening Perspectives: Electives
Doctoral programs often incorporate elective courses to provide a broader perspective and interdisciplinary understanding. Electives allow you to explore related areas and tailor your degree to specific career interests.
For example, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs often offer specialized focus areas as electives, such as:
- Higher Education Leadership
- PK-12 Educational Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
Electives enrich your doctoral education, fostering a well-rounded perspective and enhancing your ability to apply your expertise in diverse real-world settings.
The Capstone of Doctoral Study: Dissertation Requirements
The dissertation represents the pinnacle of the doctoral journey. This significant research project varies in format depending on whether you are pursuing a Ph.D. or a professional doctorate.
For Ph.D. candidates, the dissertation is typically a traditional five-chapter document, developed in three phases:
- Phase 1: Prospectus Approval: Submitting a detailed research proposal (prospectus) to your dissertation committee for feedback and approval.
- Phase 2: Initial Chapters and Data Collection: Finalizing the introductory chapters of your dissertation and commencing data collection for your research.
- Phase 3: Dissertation Completion and Defense: Completing the full dissertation manuscript and defending it orally before your dissertation committee and program faculty.
For applied doctorate students, the dissertation may take different forms, often focusing on developing a practical solution to a real-world problem within their professional field. This might involve action research projects, program evaluations, or the development of innovative interventions.
Understanding Dissertation Structures: Key to Success
Given the dissertation’s central role in doctoral education, it’s crucial to investigate dissertation structures and support systems when evaluating doctoral programs. Understanding the dissertation process upfront can significantly impact your success.
Franklin University, for example, has intentionally designed a structured dissertation process, integrated into the doctoral program from enrollment. The university provides faculty mentorship, individualized guidance, and peer-to-peer support throughout the dissertation journey, ensuring students are well-supported and not left to navigate this complex process alone.
Franklin’s doctoral coursework is designed to progressively build essential research and writing skills, culminating in the dissertation as a capstone project. The dissertation process at Franklin focuses on applying research to real-world workplace challenges, enabling students to identify a problem, propose a solution, and rigorously test their hypotheses.
Time Commitment: How Long to Earn a Doctoral Degree?
The duration of a doctoral program varies depending on several factors, primarily the type of doctorate and the program structure.
Doctoral degrees typically require between 60 and 120 semester credit hours, equivalent to roughly 20-40 college courses. Ph.D. programs generally lean towards the higher end of this range (around 120 hours), while applied doctorates often require fewer credit hours (closer to 60-80). For example, Franklin University’s DBA and DHA programs require just 58 credit hours.
While some sources suggest a Ph.D. can take up to eight years to complete, a more typical timeframe for a doctorate is four to six years. However, this is influenced by program design, the field of study, and the institution.
Pro Tip: Innovative institutions like Franklin University are streamlining doctoral programs through efficient program designs and creative transfer credit options. Their embedded dissertation structure and strong support community enable students to earn their doctorate in as little as three years.
Is a Doctoral Program the Right Fit for You?
Beyond holding a master’s degree and relevant professional experience, successful doctoral candidates share certain key characteristics. They are typically highly organized, intellectually curious, and possess strong time management skills to balance the demands of doctoral study with other life commitments.
A doctoral degree can be a catalyst for career advancement, opening doors to higher education roles, significantly increasing earning potential, and fulfilling long-held personal aspirations.
Many doctoral students are working professionals with families and community engagements, highlighting the importance of strong motivation and resilience in pursuing this challenging yet rewarding path. The transformative impact of a doctorate on an individual’s career trajectory and personal growth makes the effort exceptionally worthwhile.
Dr. Wendell Seaborne, Dean of Doctoral Studies & Academic Research at Franklin University, exemplifies this transformative journey: “I went from a successful 27-year career in the electric utility industry to higher education. This change has allowed me to positively affect literally thousands of lives over the past 18 years I have spent as a full-time educator.”
Franklin University’s applied doctoral programs are specifically designed to accommodate working professionals, offering 8-week courses and asynchronous learning options. This flexible format empowers individuals with busy lives and ambitious dreams to pursue doctoral education and make a significant impact in their fields.
The Compelling Reasons to Pursue a Doctorate
A doctoral program represents a substantial commitment, but it also offers a significant return on investment for master’s degree holders.
For those aspiring to teach at the university level, a doctorate is often a prerequisite. For professionals seeking industry leadership positions, a doctorate provides unparalleled credibility. And for individuals aiming for the highest echelons of corporate leadership, a doctorate can be a crucial differentiator.
Choosing between a research-focused Ph.D. and an applied doctorate depends on your individual career goals and aspirations. Explore these five truths about Applied Doctorates to gain deeper insights and make an informed decision.
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