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Waiting to Get Your Dissertation Accepted?
Last Updated on: 29th August 2022, 08:06 am
PhD stands for “Doctor of Philosophy.” It represents someone who has gone beyond undergraduate and master’s degrees and moved to a high point of knowledge and technical competence within a certain area. Even more importantly, it represents the creation of knowledge within that area through original research.
What Makes a PhD Distinctive? Research.
In undergraduate and most master’s degrees, you are gathering and perhaps synthesizing information. Within a PhD, you do all of that and add more knowledge to the field through original research.
You’re not going to bring about world peace through a PhD. Typically, a PhD is set up to add a little knowledge to the pile of existing knowledge. You find what has and hasn’t been done before and then try to fill in that niche. Your findings add to the body of knowledge within your discipline.
The Process of Getting a PhD
Getting a PhD happens in two stages: coursework and research. The research you do in the second stage is the foundation of your dissertation.
Building a Foundation With Coursework
Research is an important part of achieving a PhD within the United States. There are usually about two years of coursework in which you delve deeply into your field, research methods, and types of data analysis.
After that, there is usually a comprehensive exam or a paper which represents the completion of your coursework. Then, your faculty says you’re ready to head out and do doctoral research.
Doing Original Research – Writing a Dissertation
The second stage of getting a PhD entails extensive research. You will end up with a document ranging from 100 to 200 pages or more of text alone. One of the big differences in PhD research is that you have to be very explicit. If you make a statement, you have to show that it is supported by previous research.
You want to show that you understand the field and write in an academic style, which means you don’t leave anything out. For example, you could say it’s important that we brush our teeth. In academic writing, you would say, “Jones and Smith (2017) along with Johnson and Carbuncle (2020) have found that brushing your teeth is very important.”
It may seem like overexplaining, but it’s being very precise in your writing. You want to avoid multiple interpretations of what you’re saying.
PhD Degree Requirements
Entrance Requirements
It starts with acceptance into a program. If you’re in a field of the sciences, you have to show how you’re going to work well in the lab. Along with projects, you may have to take some sort of standardized test, such as the Graduate Record Examination or Graduate Management Admission Test. You will probably also need an essay, interview, and letters of recommendation.
During the Program
Once you get into a PhD program, you begin by taking your classes. You may get assigned to a faculty member or a group of faculty members or become a teaching assistant. Eventually, you might even teach undergraduates. You’re going to be working along with a faculty member and supporting them in their research, similar to the apprentice model.
Many online schools have the same coursework without the apprenticeship teaching role that happens at traditional, brick and mortar schools.
European System Requirements
The European model is slightly different. At many schools you have to find a faculty member who will endorse you ahead of time to get into a program. Then, it’s not so much about completing coursework as it is showing competence in a topic and coming up with your ultimate research dissertation. You spend much of your time and effort digging deeply into the literature in and around your topic.
PhD vs Doctorate
A PhD is a type of doctorate. Other types of doctorates include a Doctorate in Jurisprudence (JD), which is a lawyer’s legal degree, or a Medical Doctorate, which is an MD. A PhD is a doctorate in Philosophy, and can be focused on many different disciplines.
There are also more applied types of doctorates like a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), Doctorate in Management (DM), or Doctorate in Education (EdD). These typically entail coursework as well as a research project, but the research project is typically less theoretical and more applied than that of a PhD.
PhD vs Masters
In many disciplines, the logical progression is undergraduate degree, then masters, and then PhD, with the PhD being the terminal degree within a field. Master’s work is often considered to be preparation for a PhD.
Master’s work doesn’t include theoretical research, it’s typically not as long, and the coursework may not be as intense. Your classes won’t go as in-depth either.
However, there are Master’s degrees, such as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or Masters of Fine Arts (MFA), that have been considered terminal degrees. That is changing though – many business PhD programs are asking that applicants have MBAs and some schools have developed doctoral degrees in fine arts.
PhD vs Doctorate in Education (EdD or DEd)
An EdD is a doctorate in Education. It’s generally focused on one of the areas of education, such as curriculum instruction or higher education. The major difference is the emphasis on the final document or dissertation. A is PhD theoretical and geared toward publishing, whereas an EdD is more applied.
If you want to teach at a university, a PhD is typically considered to be better because it gears more toward research than an EdD.
In the compensation scheme put forth in many school systems, when you get a higher degree, you get a salary bump as well. Additionally, if you want to go into administration (principals and superintendents in particular), having an EdD is not required but very beneficial for that part of your career.
PhD vs MD
While there are MDs who become researchers, the purpose of an MD is to practice medicine. A PhD is more theoretical and geared toward research and teaching. Getting an MD typically involves doing creative research and learning about bodies, functions, and tests. It’s less about adding new knowledge to the field, and more about learning to practice medicine.
A PhD Is About Endurance
Many people dream of getting a PhD. The reasons for this vary, from a genuine desire to continue one’s education to a need to prove oneself. Whatever the reason, one thing unites all aspiring PhDs: getting a PhD is very, very difficult.
Here’s what a lot of people don’t understand: getting a PhD is not just about intelligence. While you do have to be intelligent, getting a PhD is even more about endurance. It’s about being able to continue through challenges and setbacks.
Getting a PhD is a marathon, not a sprint. You cannot write a dissertation in one sitting, it’s something you must put a lot of time and effort into over an extended period of time. There is sacrifice involved. If it’s going to take three to five years, that’s three to five years of doing little else. Keep that in mind before you jump into a PhD program.
Is a PhD Worth It?
Whether a PhD is worth it depends on your goals. Generically speaking, it’s worth it if you want to go deep into a subject and show yourself and others that you have the ability to explore and create knowledge. It can be great for self confidence. If you want to teach at a university level, a PhD is basically a requirement now.
In many administrative jobs in education, having a doctorate is worth it. In the consulting world, having a PhD can demonstrate that you have a high level of knowledge and increase your credibility. As more people get PhDs, they’re going to become more and more common outside of academia.
The challenge for PhD holders is to communicate what you have learned and how it will help the organization you want to work for. You have to show that the skills needed in a PhD are transferable. These include skills like patience, hard work, and the ability to handle projects over a long period of time. Having a PhD shows that you have the ability to work with multiple people, handle abstract topics, and meet deadlines.
Can a PhD Be Called “Doctor?”
Yes, many PhDs are referred to as “Doctor.”
Do You Write Dr. and PhD?
Many PhDs list “Dr.” in front of their name, and others list “PhD” after their name. There is somewhat of a controversy on listing both, which technically means you have two degrees. However, many people refer to themselves that way.
Can Anyone Get a PhD?
Yes, anyone who can get into a PhD program and then meet the requirements of that particular program can get a PhD.
Final Thoughts
It’s not a mystical thing, and those who obtain a PhD should not be put up on a higher plateau than others. PhDs are people who have a deep interest in a particular topic and have spent a lot of time delving deep into it. They deserve respect for having done so.
The most difficult part for those who know people trying to get a PhD is understanding the extent of the time commitment. If you’re a friend or loved one of someone trying to get a PhD, understand that they have many other commitments, but they still love you and could use your support.
