Frequently Asked Questions about PhD Programs

Find answers to common questions about doctorate programs.

Professionals or employees who have finished a Master’s degree yet still want to have an upper hand in the employment or commercial world contemplate in pursuing training or post-graduate course. However, the question that always breaks the surface is: “What doctorate or PhD program best fits me?” This question is best answered when an overview of available post-graduate programs will be made available for interested aspirants. Frequently asked questions (faq) about doctorate degrees will hopefully be tackled in this article.

Are there different Doctorate Programs?

Yes. There are a multitude of doctorate programs available to learners. Depending on the focus of the program’s curriculum, a graduate will be assigned to a specific doctorate category. Some of these categories are Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A), Doctor of Education (D.Ed.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), Doctorate in Nursing (D.N.P), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Out of all doctorate categories mentioned above, the most famous program is the PhD program. Doctor of Philosophy does not necessarily mean an expertise in the field of philosophy per se. The term philosophy is used due to its etymology which means love of wisdom. Therefore, should you wish to pursue a PhD degree, the focus of your study and your contribution to the scholarly world is research.

Can I take a more specialized Doctorate Program?

Yes. There are doctorate programs that require a prior knowledge and experience in order to pursue the aspired specialized doctorate program. An example is the nursing profession. A nursing graduate who already passed the Nursing Board exams and earned a Master’s Degree will be qualified to take the Nursing Doctorate Degree. Currently, there are two available nursing post-graduate programs – a D.N.P. and a PhD. The difference between the two is that a D.N.P. is an advanced-level program that focuses clinical practice while a Nursing PhD is an advanced-level program that focuses in research and transfer of knowledge through a teaching position.

Another specialized doctorate program is the Education Doctorate program. Same with the Nursing program, the post-graduate degree in education is divided into two – D.Ed. or a PhD. Likewise, as well as the Nursing program, the Doctor in Education program focuses on the practice of teaching while the Education PhD program focuses in research and creation of new knowledge.

Is there a broader degree which can appeal to a bigger field?

Yes. There are post graduate programs that are broader in scope yet still gears towards a specialization of a certain skill or craft. The Doctorate programs in Business and Marketing are examples of broader programs that can appeal to any sector. Again, same with the above mentioned programs, a post graduate degree in business or marketing are categorized into two: a Doctor of Business Administration or Doctor of Marketing and PhD in B.A. or PhD in Marketing. The differences between the two are also the same with the above mentioned differences.

I have already chosen a field of specialization in business, what school do you highly recommend?

For those who wish to pursue a doctorate degree in business or marketing, the Haas School of Business – University of California Berkeley can be one of your top choices. This university offers seven fields of academic programs that all specializes in business. Their PhD programs break the thin line between research and application. All their programs focus on both to ensure readiness in both fields when a student becomes a full-pledged doctor in the chosen field.

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