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The terms Doctoral degree and PhD. are often used interchangeably. What many don’t realize is that a PhD. is actually a more specific type of Doctoral degree, a Doctorate of Philosophy. A PhD. can be earned in a wide number of subject areas. The differences between a PhD. and other types of Doctoral degrees can be best illustrated by the types of careers that they prepare students for.

Doctoral degrees are meant to prepare graduates for a more “real-world” type of career. Two of these most widely known types of careers are in medicine and law. In order to practice as a lawyer, students must earn a Doctorate of Justice. To become a medical Doctor, a Doctorate of Medicine is required. A PhD., on the other hand, is meant to enable a graduate to enter a career in research or teaching at some of the highest levels of education.

So, the differences between Doctoral and PhD. degrees are apparent. The level of study required for any of these degrees far surpasses that of a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. The advantages of a Doctoral degree are many.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for Doctoral degree holders is nearly four times less than the average for all workers. The average annual salary is also higher for those with these advanced degrees, with degree holders earning over twice the amount of all workers.

While these benefits are clear, experts state that in order to be successful in pursuit of a Doctoral degree, a student must exhibit a strong drive and a true passion for the subject matter they are studying. The average Doctoral degree consists of another 120 hours of college credits above the bachelor’s degree level. Most Doctoral programs also require students to compose a dissertation prior to earning a degree.

It makes sense that the fields that showed the highest rates of growth in career opportunities were also the fields that showed growth in Doctoral degrees awarded. The fields that topped the list in growth of Doctoral degrees were engineering, computer science, and health/biological sciences.

To teach at these highest levels of education or conduct research of an academic nature, a student must first earn his or her PhD. Usually, a graduate will begin working at a four-year university, most likely as an assistant professor under the guidance of a full professor. Through teaching courses and assisting in research projects, they are then able to gain promotions to the ranks of associate professor and finally become a professor in their own right. This enables them to gain tenure and conduct research of their own, most often publishing their findings in academic journals, furthering their own academic careers and establishing their names in the research community. As with Doctoral degrees, PhD. degrees have seen growth in the areas of study where career opportunities have been showing the greatest growth.

The consensus is clear. In order to pursue your Doctorate degree online in any subject, one must have a real love for the subject matter and a willingness to put in the long hours and hard work that will be required. The rewards are also clear. Gratifying positions with higher salaries, the opportunity to work in high-demand jobs, and lower unemployment rates make the prospect of pursuing a Doctoral or PhD. degree quite attractive to those with the drive, ambition, and desire to pursue the advanced degree. Find additional details about online education to speed your success.