Doctoral degree

Doctoral degree is the highest level of academic degree awarded by universities in most countries. The term "doctor" comes from the Latin docere, meaning "to teach". The doctoral degree has been around since the Middle Ages, but it has evolved over time to include a variety of different types of degrees, including the PhD, the MD, the JD, and others.

History[edit | edit source]

The first doctoral degrees were awarded in the Middle Ages by universities in Europe. These degrees were originally given to scholars who had demonstrated a high level of knowledge in their field and were qualified to teach at the university level. Over time, the doctoral degree has evolved to include a variety of different types of degrees, each with its own specific requirements and areas of focus.

Types of Doctoral Degrees[edit | edit source]

There are several different types of doctoral degrees, each with its own specific requirements and areas of focus. These include:

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): This is the most common type of doctoral degree. It is awarded in many different fields, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and others.

MD (Doctor of Medicine): This degree is awarded to physicians who have completed their medical training.

JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence): This degree is awarded to lawyers who have completed their legal training.

EdD (Doctor of Education): This degree is awarded to educators who have completed advanced study in the field of education.

DBA (Doctor of Business Administration): This degree is awarded to business professionals who have completed advanced study in the field of business administration.

Requirements[edit | edit source]

The requirements for earning a doctoral degree vary by field and by university. However, in general, earning a doctoral degree requires several years of study beyond the bachelor's degree, including the completion of a dissertation or similar project. In many fields, doctoral candidates must also pass comprehensive exams and/or defend their dissertation before a committee of faculty members.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Doctoral degree Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.