Explanation and Types of Doctorates

A doctorate is an academic degree of the highest level. There are three types of doctorates: research , professional, and honorary.

The most common type of research doctorate is a Ph.D. (Philosophiæ Doctor or Doctor of Philosophy). In the USA the minimum time for completing a Ph.D. is usually 3 years following the completion of a master's degree. Although completions within this period are possible, most candidates take considerably longer: anywhere from five to ten years.

Professional doctoral degrees (also called first professional degrees) are awarded in certain fields where most holders of the degree are not engaged primarily in scholarly research and academic activities, but, rather in a profession, such as law, medicine, music, or ministry. The minimum term for such a degree is 3 years.

Honorary doctorates are given when a university wishes to formally recognize an individual's contributions to a particular field or philanthropic efforts.

Types of Research Doctorates
Doctor of Arts (D.A.) Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.)  
Doctor of Applied Science (D.A.S.) Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
Doctor of Chemistry (D.Chem.) Doctor of Criminal Justice (D.C.J.)
Doctor of Comparative/Civil Law (D.C.L.) Doctor of Criminology (D.Crim.)
Doctor of Environmental Design (D.E.D.) Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.)
Doctor of Environment (D.Env.) Doctor of Engineering Science (D.E.Sc./Sc.D.E.)
Doctor of Forestry (D.F.) Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.)
Doctor of Geological Science (D.G.S.) Doctor of Hebrew Literature/Letters (D.H.L.)
Doctor of Health and Safety (D.H.S.) Doctor of Hebrew Studies (D.H.S.)
Doctor of Industrial Technology (D.I.T.) Doctor of Library Science (D.L.S.)
Doctor of Music (D.M.) Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)
Doctor of Musical Education (D.M.E.) Doctor of Ministry (D.Min./D.M.)
Doctor of Modern Languages (D.M.L.) Doctor of Music Ministry (D.M.M.)
Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.Sc.) Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc.)
Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.H.) Doctor of Physical Education (D.P.E.)
Doctor of Public Health (D.P.H.) Doctor of Professional Studies (D.P.S.)
Doctor of Design (Dr.DES.) Doctor of Religious Education (D.R.E.)
Doctor of Recreation (D.Rec./D.R.) Doctor of Science (D.Sc./Sc.D.)
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 Sacred Music (D.S.M.)
Doctor of Social Science (D.S.Sc.) Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.)
Doctor of Juristic Science (J.S.D.) Doctor of the Science of Law (L.Sc.D.)
Doctor of Rehabilitation (Rh.D.) Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) Doctor of Theology (Th.D.)

 

Types of Professional Doctorates

D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic)

D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery)

J.D. (Juris Doctor or Doctor of Law)

M.D. (Medicinae Doctor or Doctor of Medicine) (US)

D.P.T. (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)

D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine)

D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine)

D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology)

Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy)

O.D. (Optometry Doctor or Doctor of Optometry)

 
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