List of doctoral degrees in the US

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There are a wide variety of doctoral degrees awarded to students in a number of different categories in the United States. Doctorates are not restricted to being based solely on research or academic coursework.

Contents

Historical background

The first research doctorate was the doctor of philosophy, which came to the U.S. from Germany, and is frequently referred to by its initials of Ph.D. As academia evolved in the country a wide variety of other types of doctoral degrees and programs were developed. Some of these included a focus on teaching such as the Doctor of Arts, others were simply a more specific curricula within a specific field such as the Doctor of Engineering or Doctor of Education of which may be identical in requirements, length, coursework and research to the Ph.D.

Additionally, there are a number of lower level (in terms of academic advancement) professional doctorates such as the Doctor of Medicine and the Juris Doctor that do not have a dissertation research component. In contrast to other countries worldwide a doctoral program generally requires the completion of a program of academic coursework in addition to other requirements for all types of doctoral degrees.

Types of doctorate

The United States Department of Education published a Structure of US Education in 2008 that differentiated between associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, first professional degrees, master's degrees, intermediate graduate qualifications and research doctorate degrees. [1] This included doctoral degrees in the first professional degree, intermediate graduate qualification and research doctorate degree categories.

The Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics divides U.S. doctorates into three categories for the purposes of its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): Doctor's degree-research/scholarship, Doctor's degree-professional practice and Doctor's degree-other. The Doctor's degree-research/scholarship is defined as "A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement." The Doctor's degree-professional practice is unofficially known as "doctor's degree" in the U.S. that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice but is defined by the department of education as a professional degree that lawyers and physicians complete to practice in their vocations. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years." The Doctor's degree-other is defined as "A doctor's degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor's degree research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice." The categorization of degrees for IPEDS is left to the awarding institutes. [2] [3] [4]

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has published an annual census of research doctorates called the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) since 1957 with sponsorship from the NSF, NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Education. [5] For the purposes of this survey, a research doctorate is defined as "a doctoral degree that (1) requires completion of an original intellectual contribution in the form of a dissertation or an equivalent culminating project (e.g., musical composition) and (2) is not primarily intended as a degree for the practice of a profession." [6] The second point here that a research doctorate is "not primarily intended as a degree for the practice of a profession" means that not all doctorates containing "an original intellectual contribution in the form of a dissertation or an equivalent culminating project" are regarded as research doctorates by the NSF. The NSF list of research doctorates is recognized internationally as establishing which U.S. doctorates are considered Ph.D.-equivalent, e.g. by the European Research Council. [7]

The Department of Education's 2008 Structure of US Education listed 24 frequently awarded research doctorates titles accepted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as representing "degrees equivalent in content and level to the Ph.D". [8] This reflected the 24 doctorates recognized by the NSF in Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: Summary Report 2005. [9] As of Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: Summary Report 2006 this was reduced to 18, [10] part of an ongoing program of assessment that saw the number of recognized research degrees reduced from the 52 recognized from 1994 (the earliest report archived online) to 1998, falling to 48 from 1999 to 2003 and to 24 in 2004. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] The number rose to 20 in 2007, with the Doctor of Design and Doctor of Fine Arts being re-recognized after being removed from the 2006 list, before falling again to 18 in 2008 when the Doctor of Music and Doctor of Industrial Technology were dropped. [16] Since then, the list of recognized research degrees has been constant, although most Ed.D. degree programs were determined to have a professional rather than research focus and removed from the survey in 2010–2011; despite this, the Ed.D. remains the second most popular research doctorate in the SED after the Ph.D in 2022. (albeit with 0.9% of awards compared to 98.6% for the Ph.D.). [17]

Research doctorates

In the United States the doctoral degrees that have been identified by various universities and others (including the NSF at various times) as having original research including a dissertation or equivalent have included:

DegreeAbbreviationIdentified byNotes
Doctor of Architecture D.Arch.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Arts D.A.NSF [17]
Doctor of Arts in TeachingD.A.T.NSF (to 2003) [14] As alternative name for Doctor of Arts
Doctor of Applied ScienceD.A.S.NSF (to 2003) [14] Doctor of Business Administration D.B.A.NSF [17]
Doctor of Canon Law J.C.D.NSF [17]
Doctor of ChemistryD.Chem.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Church MusicD.C.M.NSF (to 2005) [9]
Doctor of Criminal Justice D.C.J.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of CriminologyD.Crim.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Comparative/Civil Law D.C.L.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of DesignD.Des.NSF (from 2007) [16] [17]
Dr.DESNSF (to 2005) [9]
Doctor of Education Ed.D.NSF [17] Most programs not considered research degrees by NSF from 2010/11 [18]
Doctor of Engineering D.Eng./D.E.Sc./D.E.SNSF [17]
Doctor of EnvironmentD.Env.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Fine Arts D.F.A.NSF [17] Not included in NSF list for 2006 [10]
Doctor of ForestryD.F.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Geological ScienceD.G.S.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Health and SafetyD.H.S.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Hebrew Letters/LiteratureD.H.L.NSF [17]
Doctor of Hebrew StudiesD.H.S.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Industrial Technology D.I.T.NSF (to 2007) [16]
Doctor of Juridical Science J.S.D./S.J.D.NSF [17]
Doctor of Juristic ScienceJ.S.D.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Library ScienceD.L.S.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Medical ScienceD.M.ScNSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Missiology D.MissNSF (to 1998) [12]
Doctor of Music D.M.NSF (to 2007) [16]
Doctor of Music EducationD.M.E.NSF [17]
Doctor of Music MinistryD.M.M.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Musical Arts D.M.A.NSF [17]
Doctor of Modern Languages D.M.L.NSF [17]
Doctor of Nursing Science D.N.Sc.NSF [17]
Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D.NSF [17]
Doctor of Physical EducationD.P.E.NSF (to 2005) [9]
Doctor of Professional Studies D.P.S.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Public Administration D.P.A.NSF (to 2005) [9]
Brewer et al. (1999) [19]
Doctor of Public Health Dr.P.H.NSF [17]
Doctor of RecreationD.Rec./D.R.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of RehabilitationRh.D.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Religious Education D.R.E.NSF (to 1998) [12]
Doctor of Sacred MusicD.S.M.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Sacred Theology S.T.D.NSF [17] Removed from NSF list from1999, restored in 2004 [13] [15]
Doctor of Science D.Sc./Sc.D.NSF [17]
Doctor of Science and HygieneD.Sc.H.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Science in DentistryD.Sc.D.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Science in Veterinary MedicineD.Sc.V.M.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of the Science of LawL.Sc.D.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Social Science D.S.Sc.NSF (to 2003) [14]
Doctor of Social Work D.S.W.NSF (to 2005) [9]
Doctor of Theology Th.D./S.T.D.NSF [17]

Professional doctorates

In addition to the research doctorate, the US has many professional degrees, formerly referred to as first-professional degrees. These are titled as doctor's degrees and classified as "doctors degree professional practice". [20] While research doctorates require "advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement", [21] professional doctorates must have a total time to degree (including prior study at bachelor's level) of at least six years, and provide "the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice". [22]

Professional Service Doctoral Degree in the United States Abbreviation First awarded Original/Founding Degree(s) in the United States
Acupuncture Doctor of Acupuncture D.Ac. MAC 1981
Athletic Training Doctor of Athletic Training D.A.T
Audiology Doctor of Audiology Au.D. 1996 MA/MS post-WWII
Behavioral Health Doctor of Behavioral Health D.B.H. 2010
Chiropractor Doctor of Chiropractic D.C. 1927
Clinical Laboratory Science Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science D.C.L.S. 2018
Computer Science Doctor of Computer Science D.C.Sc. 1965 (first Ph.D. in computer science, not first D.C.Sc) [23]
Counseling Doctor of Professional Counseling D.P.C. 1972
Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery
Doctor of Dental Medicine
D.D.S.
D.M.D.
1841 [24]
1869 [25]
See M.D. degree
Economic Development Doctor of Economic Development D.E.D. 2008
Health Administration Doctor of Health Administration D.H.A.
Health Science Doctor of Health Science D.H.Sc. 1914 (see DPH)
Law Juris Doctor
Doctor of Law
Doctor of Jurisprudence
J.D. 1902 [26] "Graduate of Laws" 1792; LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) 1840 [27]
Law and Policy Doctor of Law and Policy D.L.P. 2009
Management Doctor of Management D.M.
D.Mgt
1995
Medical Physics Doctor of Medical Physics D.M.P. 2010 [28]
Medical Science Doctor of Medical Science D.M.S. 2016, Lincoln Memorial University
Medicine Doctor of Medicine M.D. 1770 [29] M.B. (Bachelor of Medicine) 1769 [30]
Ministry (clergy) Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Practical Theology
Doctor of Biblical Studies
Doctor of Educational Ministry
Doctor of Religious Science
Doctor of (Christian) Ethics in Medicine
Doctor of Bible Exposition
Doctor of Ecclesiastical [31] Philosophy
Professor of Ecclesiastical Sciences and Theology (in faith-based institution of higher education)
D.B.E
D.Min.
D.P.Th.
D.B.S.
DEDMIN
Dr. rel. sc.
D.M. (DM), also in Latin Dr. eth. med. [32]
Dr. eccl. phil. [33]
Prof. eccl. [34]
Doctor of Transformational Leadership/DTL
Music Doctor of Church Music
Doctor of Pastoral Music
Doctor of Sacred Music
Doctor of Worship Studies
D.C.M.
D.P.M.
D.S.M.
D.W.S.
Naturopathy Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine N.D. or N.M.D1901 see Naturopathy
Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
D.N.P.
D.N.A.P.
2005
Occupational Therapy Doctor of Occupational Therapy O.T.D. or D.O.T. 1998
Optometry Doctor of Optometry O.D. 1889 [35] See M.D. degree
Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine D.O. 1892 See M.D. degree
Policy and Law Doctor of Law and Policy D.L.P.
Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy Pharm.D. 1950 (program established) [36] "Graduate of Pharmacy" 1826; B.S. in Pharmacy (Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy) 1938 [37]
Physical Therapy Doctor of Physical Therapy D.P.T. 1992
Podiatry Doctor of Podiatric Medicine D.P.M. 1915 D.S.C. (Doctor of Surgical Chiropody) 1912; [38] See M.D. degree
Psychology Doctor of Psychology D.Psy/Psy.D >1973
Social Worker Doctor of Social Work D.S.W.
Speech-Language Pathology Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology S.L.P.D.
Veterinary medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine D.V.M./V.M.D. 1876 [39] B.V.S. (Bachelor of Veterinary Science) 1871 [39] [ failed verification ]

Other doctorates

There are also some programs leading to awards titled as doctorates that meet neither the definition of the research doctorate nor those of the professional doctorate. These are classified as "doctor's degree other". [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor (title)</span> Academic title for a holder of a doctoral degree

Doctor is an academic title that originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre 'to teach'. It has been used as an academic title in Europe since the 13th century, when the first doctorates were awarded at the University of Bologna and the University of Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juris Doctor</span> Graduate-entry professional degree in law

A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States, it is the only qualifying law degree, while other jurisdictions, such as Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, offer both JD degrees and undergraduate qualifying law degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postgraduate education</span> Phase of higher education

Postgraduate education, graduate education, or graduate school consists of academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications usually pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree.

An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions often offer degrees at various levels, usually divided into undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The most common undergraduate degree is the bachelor's degree, although some educational systems offer lower-level undergraduate degrees such as associate and foundation degrees. Common postgraduate degrees include engineer's degrees, master's degrees and doctorates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctorate</span> Academic or professional degree

A doctorate or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism licentia docendi.

The Doctor of Education is a research or professional doctoral degree that focuses on the field of education. It prepares the holder for academic, research, administrative, clinical, or professional positions in educational, civil, private organizations, or public institutions. Considerable differences exist in structure, content and aims between regions. In the US, for instance, the EdD usually is a professional doctorate for working or learning professionals and has a large taught component with a smaller thesis, comparable to for example a DSW or DPH, whereas in the UK and Canada, the Ed.D. is a full research doctorate with research and profession related courses but ultimately awarded for the thesis resulting from original research, that way aligning more with a Ph.D.

A Doctor of Science is a science doctorate awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries, a Doctor of Science is the degree used for the standard doctorate in the sciences; elsewhere a Doctor of Science is a "higher doctorate" awarded in recognition of a substantial and sustained contribution to scientific knowledge beyond that required for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

A law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers, but while their names can be similar, each country's law degrees differ in terms of legal training and the types of legal practice they allow. Generally, law degrees include the Bachelor of Laws (LLB), the Master of Laws (LLM), and the Doctor of Laws, among others. These degrees are usually obtained through a combination of coursework, research, and practical experiences, such as internships or clinical legal education. Law degrees are recognized as a necessary step towards becoming a licensed lawyer in many jurisdictions, and they also provide a foundation for various other career paths such as academia, policy, or consultancy.

The Doctor of Technology is a degree normally conferred upon candidates after having completed a course of study in technology and a dissertation or a project of lengthy duration in a technologically related field. Like other doctorates, it is usually an academic degree at the highest level equivalent to a PhD.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or (DrBA) is a terminal degree in business administration. The DBA is classified as a research doctorate or professional doctorate depending on the granting university and country where the degree was awarded. Academically, the DBA is awarded based on advanced study, examinations, project work, and advanced research in the field of business administration.

Walden University is a for-profit university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and specialist degrees. The university is owned by Adtalem Global Education, which purchased the university in August 2021. The institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) is a terminal applied-research doctoral degree in the field of public administration (a part of public service). The D.P.A. requires significant coursework beyond the masters level and a dissertation that contributes to theory or practice. Upon successful completion, the title of "Doctor" is awarded and the post-nominal letters of D.P.A. or DPA can be used.

The Doctor of Engineering is a professional doctorate in engineering and applied science. An EngD is a terminal degree similar to a PhD in engineering but applicable more in industry rather than in academia. The degree is usually aimed toward working professionals.

The Doctor of Professional Studies is a doctoral degree for experienced professionals who wish to undertake a program that is applied in nature and of practical value to their career. The DProf is based on applied research of real world problems. The DProf has been available to graduate students in the United Kingdom since the 1980s. The first Doctor of Professional Studies program was started in 1972 at Pace University. As another form of research doctorate and a doctoral level academic qualification, the DProf is equivalent to the PhD in terms of academic level and rigour, with the difference between the two lying in the type of research conducted and consequently in the type of knowledge generated.

The Doctor of Liberal Studies degree, abbreviated (D.L.S.), for the Latin Doctor Liberalium Studiorum, is an advanced academic degree offered by Georgetown University, Southern Methodist University, University of Memphis and other research universities.

A professional degree, formerly known in the US as a first professional degree, is a degree that prepares someone to work in a particular profession, practice, or industry sector often meeting the academic requirements for licensure or accreditation. Professional degrees may be either graduate or undergraduate entry, depending on the profession concerned and the country, and may be classified as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. For a variety of reasons, professional degrees may bear the name of a different level of qualification from their classification in qualifications, e.g., some UK professional degrees are named bachelor's but are at master's level, while some Australian and Canadian professional degrees have the name "doctor" but are classified as master's or bachelor's degrees.

The degree of Doctor of Computer Science is an applied research doctorate in computer science awarded on the basis of advanced study and research in the field of computer science. While it is considered a terminal degree and requires coursework and research beyond the masters' level, the DCS is not considered equivalent to a Ph.D. or a Doctor of Science in computer science.

A Doctor of Philosophy is the most common degree at the highest academic level, awarded following a course of study and research. The degree is abbreviated PhD and sometimes, especially in the U.S., as Ph.D. It is derived from from the Latin Philosophiae Doctor, pronounced as three separate letters. The abbreviation DPhil, from the English 'Doctor of Philosophy', is used by a small number of Commonwealth universities, including Oxford in the UK.

The Doctor of Criminal Justice (D.C.J.) is a doctoral degree in the field of criminal justice. As a terminal degree, it prepares the holder for administrative, research, academic or professional positions in the criminal justice field at both public and private institutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics</span> Federal statistical agency of the United States

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) is one of the thirteen principal statistical agencies of the United States and is tasked with providing objective data on the status of the science and engineering enterprise in the U.S. and other countries. NCSES sponsors or co-sponsors data collection on 15 surveys and produces two key publications: Science and Engineering Indicators, and Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering. Though policy-neutral, the data and reports produced by NCSES are used by policymakers when making policy decisions regarding STEM education and research funding in the U.S.

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