What is a PhD?
A PhD, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic credential one can earn in most English-speaking countries. It represents the culmination of roughly a decade of post-secondary education. It might seem mysterious and daunting for prospective students, especially if you are just beginning your college career. So let's break it down for you.
Research Doctorates
Most doctoral degrees fall into one of two categories: professional doctorates and research doctorates. A research doctorate is commonly known as a Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD. Most students who pursue research doctorates are interested in careers as researchers or university professors.
To earn a PhD, you must master your particular subject of study. Doctoral candidates (students in the process of earning a doctoral degree) do this by reading a large quantity of published literature pertaining to his or her field of interest.
Although every school has different requirements for PhD candidates, most students who seek to earn a research doctorate will have to perform a decent amount of research on their own. Then, they must present these results to their department faculty in the form of a thesis or dissertation. This formal document is usually quite long and is supposed to take an in-depth look at the candidate's area of research. To complete the process, most schools require that PhD candidates defend their thesis or dissertation during an oral examination.
Professional Doctorates
On the other hand, students who pursue professional doctorates are usually interested in furthering their knowledge of a specific career. Examples of professional doctorates include the Juris Doctor (JD) for law-related careers; the Medical Doctor (MD); and the Doctor of Business Administration.
If you're trying to decide between earning a PhD or a professional doctoral degree, you must first decide whether your interest in your specific field of study is academic or pragmatic. Consider your end goal: is it to advance in your current career, or to master a subject with the intent to research the subject for years to come? Remember—the aim of research-focused doctorates is to expand your knowledge in a way that leads to original research, while the goal of professional doctoral degrees is to teach you advanced practical applications for your knowledge.
Length of Programs
On average, it takes between two and eight years to obtain a doctorate. This depends on a number of factors, including whether the candidate is studying full-time or part-time; the school's requirements; and the profundity of the subject.
According to the National Science Foundation report entitled “Time to Degree of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients,” after graduating from high school it takes an average of 10.1 years to earn a doctoral degree. However, the same study discovered that the average “registered time”—meaning the actual time a student spent in school, not counting summer breaks or other time taken off—was 7.5 years.
The National Science Foundation study also found that the average age of PhD candidates upon completion of their studies is 33.3 years old. Considering this average completion age, and that the average time it takes to complete a doctorate is 4.5 years, one can surmise that the average age of students who are entering a doctoral program is about 28.8 years old.
One well-known characteristic of online PhD programs is that the average age of the students tends to be higher than the average age of PhD students at traditional institutions. This is because of the appeal online programs hold for older generations of students. Online programs make it easier for people who have families and jobs to continue their education, especially when it comes to the lengthy doctoral process.
Article Resources:
"Notes on the PhD Degree," Douglas E. Comer
National Center for Education Statistics
Fast Tracking a PhD