Are you considering pursuing a doctorate degree but feeling overwhelmed by the options? Or perhaps you’re simply curious about the different types of doctorates available? This guide will clarify the landscape of doctoral studies, explaining the distinctions between research and professional degrees, and providing a detailed List Of Doctorates offered in the United States.
Our aim is to spark your interest in diverse academic fields and assist you in taking the first steps toward achieving your doctoral aspirations.
Doctorate graduates celebrating their achievement
Understanding the Doctorate Degree
The academic journey typically progresses through four levels of degrees at a university. These are, in ascending order: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and finally, the doctorate degree.
A doctorate represents the pinnacle of academic achievement in most disciplines. Within the doctoral level, degrees are broadly categorized into two main types: research-focused and professionally oriented. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is commonly pursued in research and teaching careers, while applied doctorates such as the Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Education (EdD) cater to specific professional practices.
The prerequisite for doctoral studies is a bachelor’s degree. While many students opt to complete a master’s degree before entering a doctoral program, direct entry into a doctoral program after a bachelor’s degree is also possible in certain fields and institutions.
Doctorate degrees are fundamentally divided into research degrees and professional degrees, each with distinct objectives and career pathways.
Exploring Research Doctorate Degrees
What is a Research Degree?
A research degree is characterized by its deep dive into a specific subject area. It empowers students to undertake original research on a chosen topic, culminating in the production of research papers and contributing to the body of knowledge through innovative studies.
The primary goal of a research degree is to equip graduates with advanced research methodologies, critical thinking, and analytical skills. These competencies are essential for careers in academia, governmental research, and research-intensive roles within the business sector.
Below is an extensive list of research degrees available across universities in the United States:
List of Research Degrees:
- Doctor of Arts (DA)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Canon Law (JCD)
- Doctor of Design (DDes)
- Doctor of Engineering or Engineering Science (DEng, DESc, DES)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA)
- Doctor of Hebrew Letters (DHL)
- Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD, SJD)
- Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
- Doctor of Music Education (DME)
- Doctor of Modern Languages (DML)
- Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Doctor of Public Health (DPH)
- Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)
- Doctor of Science (DSc, ScD)
- Doctor of Theology (ThD)
Understanding Professional Doctorate Degrees
What is a Professional Degree?
A professional degree is specifically designed to prepare students for entry and advanced practice within a particular profession. This type of doctorate emphasizes the practical application of knowledge, ensuring students acquire the necessary expertise, meet professional licensing requirements, and are well-prepared for relevant professional examinations.
Earning a professional doctorate signifies a commitment to a career path that requires specialized skills and in-depth knowledge within a defined professional domain.
The following is a comprehensive list of professional degrees that can be pursued in the U.S., offering pathways to a wide array of professions:
List of Professional Degrees:
- Doctor of Acupuncture (D.Ac., D.Acu.)
- Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (D.A.O.M.)
- Doctor of Anesthesia Practice (Dr.AP)
- Doctor of Applied Science (D.A.S.)
- Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.)
- Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.)
- Doctor of Audiology (Au.D)
- Doctor of Behavioral Health (D.B.H.)
- Doctor of Chemistry (D.Chem.)
- Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
- Doctor of Church Music (D.C.M.)
- Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (D.C.N.)
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology (CScD)
- Doctor of Comparative Law (D.C.L.)
- Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.)
- Doctor of Computer Science (D.C.S.)
- Doctor of Criminal Justice (D.C.J.)
- Doctor of Criminology (D.Crim.)
- Doctor of Divinity (Divinitatis Doctor) (D.D.)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.)
- Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering (D.Env.)
- Doctor of Forestry (D.F.)
- Doctor of Geological Science (D.G.S.)
- Doctor of Health Administration (D.H.A.)
- Doctor of Health and Safety (D.H.S.)
- Doctor of Health Education (D.H.Ed)
- Doctor of Hebrew Literature/Letters (D.H.L.)
- Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc., D.H.S.)
- Doctor of Hebrew Studies (D.H.S.)
- Doctor of Humane Letters (D.Hum.Litt.)
- Doctor of Industrial Technology (D.I.T.)
- Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)
- Juris Doctor (J.D.)
- Doctor of Law and Policy (L.P.D., D.L.P.)
- Doctor of Liberal Studies (D.L.S.)
- Doctor of Library Science (D.L.S.)
- Doctor of Management (D.M.)
- Doctor of Medical Humanities (D.M.H.)
- Doctor of Medical Physics (D.M.P)
- Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.Sc.)
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss)
- Doctor of Music (D.M., D.Mus.)
- Doctor of Music Therapy (D.M.T.)
- Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine (D.N.)
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D., N.M.D.)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D., D.O.T.)
- Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
- Doctor of Organizational Leadership
- Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M., O.M.D.)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Doctor of Pastoral Counseling (D.PC)
- Doctor of Pastoral Music (D.P.M.)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Doctor of Physical Education (D.P.E.)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
- Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.)
- Doctor of Professional Studies (D.P.S.)
- Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D)
- Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.)
- Doctor of Recreation (D.Rec., D.R.)
- Doctor of Rehabilitation (Rh.D.)
- Doctor of Sacred Music (D.S.M.)
- Doctor of Science in Dentistry (D.Sc.D.)
- Doctor of Science and Hygiene (D.Sc.H.)
- Doctor of Science in Veterinary Medicine (D.Sc.V.M.)
- Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.)
- Doctor of Social Science (D.S.Sc.)
- Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.)
- Doctor of Transformational Leadership (D.T.L.)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
Pursue Your Doctorate Online
If you are motivated to earn a doctorate degree, obtaining your bachelor’s or master’s degree online can be a significant step forward. Online education offers the flexibility to balance your studies with work, family responsibilities, or other personal commitments, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
University of the People provides tuition-free, fully online degree programs designed to make higher education accessible to everyone. We offer a range of degree programs in high-demand fields such as business administration, health science, computer science, and education, making us an excellent starting point for your doctoral journey.
Conclusion
The landscape of doctorate degrees is vast and encompasses a multitude of specialized fields, from research-intensive disciplines to practice-oriented professions. Whether your passion lies in academic research, healthcare, technology, or any other field, there is a doctorate degree designed to advance your knowledge and career aspirations.
Embarking on the path to a doctorate degree is a significant undertaking. Starting with an online bachelor’s or master’s program can provide a flexible and accessible route to achieving your ultimate educational goals. We trust that this comprehensive list of doctorates has inspired you and provided clarity as you explore your options.
