does a phd mean you are a doctor

“M.D.” vs. “Ph.D.” vs. “Dr.”: Are They Synonyms?

Quick: when you hear the word doctor , what do you picture?

Most would probably describe someone in a white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging around their neck or someone in medical scrubs—someone you would seek out if you have a deep cut that needed stitches.

That word doctor , however, is a title assigned to many who don’t come close to that description, many of whom you wouldn’t want stitching up that cut. Take your English professor, for instance. No offense, Dr. Barrett. 

It can all be a bit confusing, which is why it’s important to know who and why someone might be called a doctor , as well as what all those initials and abbreviations after their name mean. Here we break it all down.

What does Dr. mean?

Let’s start with doctor or D r . for short. While the first definition of the word is “ a person licensed to practice medicine,” that doesn’t mean you want to take medical advice from anyone who calls themselves a doctor . There are many looser definitions of the word that follow and, frankly, make things a bit confusing.

For example, the third definition is older slang for a “cook, as at a camp or on a ship,” while the seventh entry is “an eminent scholar and teacher.” Bugs Bunny didn’t help matters either by plying anyone and everyone with his famous greeting,“What’s up, doc?” 

The term doctor can be traced back to the late 1200s, and it stems from a Latin word meaning “to teach.” It wasn’t used to describe a licensed medical practitioner until about 1400, and it wasn’t used as such with regularity until the late 1600s. It replaced the former word used for medical doctors— leech , which is now considered archaic. 

WATCH: When Did The Word "Doctor" Become Medical?

Physician vs. doctor : are these synonyms.

While the term physician is a synonym for doctor , it’s typically used to refer to those who practice general medicine rather than those who perform surgery, aka surgeons . 

A quack , on the other hand, is defined as “ a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.”

What does M.D. mean?

Moving on to initials that carry more weight than a nod from Bugs, let’s look at M.D.s .

M.D. , which can be used with or without the periods ( M.D. or MD )  is the designation for a medical doctor. This is earned by attending medical school (typically a four-year program after completing at least one undergraduate degree, plus a residency program), and learning to diagnose patients’ symptoms and offer treatment. 

The initials M and D stem from the Latin title  Medicīnae Doctor. There are many different types of doctors, with different specialties, but if you have a physical ailment, visiting a doctor with the initials M.D. is a good place to start.

Specialty doctors may add even more initials to their title, such as DCN (doctor of clinical nutrition), DDS (doctor of dental surgery), or countless others they acquire with additional training. To make things even more confusing, some may add abbreviations from medical associations they belong to, such as FAAEM (Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine). 

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What does Ph.D. mean?

As for Ph.D. , this stands for “doctor of philosophy.” It stems from the Latin term Philosophiae Doctor.

You can get a Ph.D. in any number of subjects, from anthropology to mythological studies. It’s not an easy feat, however, as to earn one, you must do original research and write a dissertation . 

Ph.D. vs. M.D .: are these synonyms?

There are two big differences between Ph.D. s and M.D .s. When it comes to medicine, M.D.s can prescribe medications, and Ph.D.s can’t. And yes, it’s possible to be both an M.D. and a Ph.D. In fact, some med schools offer programs in which you can achieve both simultaneously. 

You can also get a professional doctorate degree in a number of fields. For example, you might receive a doctorate of education, an  Ed.D . 

So, in a nutshell, both M.D.s and Ph.Ds can be referred to as doctors . If you’re looking for someone to treat what ails you physically, then you want at least an M.D. following their name. If you want to dig deep into a subject and get advice from someone who has done their own research and who likely knows the latest and greatest developments in a particular area, then you’re probably looking for a Ph.D. And if someone has both, even better—depending on your needs, it may be just what the doctor ordered.

Want more synonyms? Get Thesaurus.com’s sizzling synonyms right in your inbox! 

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The Difference Between a Doctoral Degree and a Ph.D.

What Does a PhD Degree Stand For?

Many people do not understand what "Ph.D." means. Many know that it is an academic degree of some sort, but even among students still in school, the difference between a doctoral degree and a Ph.D. can still be confusing. The answer to the question "Is there a difference between a doctorate and a Ph.D.?" is yes and no.

What Is a Doctorate Degree?

A doctorate degree is the highest degree attainable in an academic field of study. A doctorate degree indicates that an individual has studied as much as possible in the area of his chosen field. It also indicates that the holder has found ways through his dissertation and course of study to add something new to the discipline and has provided a valuable new piece of scholarship to the field.

Generally, a doctorate degree is attained after several years of study in the chosen field. This does not need to be continuous study. Often, students enter their doctorate program years after they have spent time working in their chosen field. Other times, after pursuing a master's degree, a student will decide that she would like to become a professor. A doctorate is often pursued as a means of attaining that goal.

A doctorate degree is the most advanced degree an individual can achieve across disciplines. People who have received a doctorate degree in order to practice their profession include medical doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists and public school principals. However, the designation is different in various professions, which means a doctorate is not necessarily the same thing as a Ph.D.

Doctorate Degree vs. Ph.D.

The difference between a doctorate degree and a Ph.D. can sometimes be confusing, even to people who are in the field of academia themselves. A doctorate is a catch-all term, standing for the highest-attainable degree in a given discipline. The Ph.D., however, stands for "Doctor of Philosophy" and is a kind of doctorate degree, but not all doctorate degrees are Ph.D.s.

Despite the language in the title, a Ph.D. does not only refer to someone who has attained a very advanced degree in the field of philosophy. On the contrary, "Doctor of Philosophy" simply means that the person has achieved the highest-possible degree in his course of study in the humanities. A Ph.D. in divinity, a Ph.D. in philosophy and a Ph.D. in literature all fall under the umbrella of Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Are There Doctorates Besides the Ph.D.?

The Ph.D. is the most advanced degree in a field of study, but particular fields of study have their own titles for advanced degrees. These are, generally speaking, degrees that are less directed at research and philosophy of the discipline and are earned mostly toward a professional end.

These doctorates are still formidable and still indicate a tremendous amount of study and work on the part of the degree holder. The difference is that the goal is applying the study to a particular profession rather than conducting research with the end goal of scholarship.

What Doctorates Are There Besides a Ph.D.?

There are other varieties of doctorate degrees. One of the most familiar is the M.D. This is the medical doctorate degree. It means that the individual has attained the highest level of education in the field of medicine.

A Psy.D. is a degree indicating that the individual has earned the highest level of scholarship in the study of clinical psychology. A D.D.S is a doctorate degree in the field of dentistry, as is a D.M.D.

There are numerous other doctorate degrees that are not Ph.D.s. Likewise, the difference between an LLD and a Ph.D. is that the LLD is a doctorate-level degree in the study of law. A D.Tech degree is a doctorate degree in the field of technology.

What Is a Doctoral Student?

A doctoral student can be defined as anybody currently pursuing a doctorate degree in any field of study. This generally means that the person is pursuing a Ph.D. or another similar degree and that they are enrolled in a Ph.D. or doctoral program.

In the case of medical students, it usually means that the student is currently enrolled in medical school or is completing her residency. Anyone who is currently in a program that will result in holding a Ph.D. or another kind of doctorate degree can be said to be a doctoral student.

What Is the Structure of a Doctoral Program?

Doctoral studies are different from study for a master's degree or bachelor's degree. During a period of undergraduate study, the student generally spends his time in seminars and lectures, reading and researching and often writing papers or completing projects pertaining to his coursework. At the master's level, the curriculum is much the same, although the coursework may be replaced with fieldwork in certain cases, and there is a greater emphasis on students conducting their own research. There may be more in the way of papers, presentations and projects versus the tests and lectures that characterize undergraduate work.

However, when students are pursuing a Ph.D. or a doctoral degree of any sort, they are practicing scholarship. This means that they don't attend as many lectures or seminars on their subject but instead spend most of their time researching their own independent projects, teaching undergraduate courses and generally helping to further their field of scholarship.

The culmination of a Ph.D. program is the defense of a student's dissertation, which is the extensive study project on which he has spent his program working. This project must be defensible to a committee of professors who are expecting that the student has contributed something valuable and new to the field of scholarship.

Does Having a Doctorate Mean You're a Doctor?

It's a common misconception that having a doctorate means you are a doctor. In some contexts this is true, but in others, it can be confusing. Colloquially, in the United States, the word "doctor" is typically understood to mean a physician. A physician is a medical doctor who has earned her M.D., or doctorate of medicine. This is the highest and most advanced degree attainable in the medical field.

However, anyone who receives a Ph.D. or doctoral degree can be considered to be a doctor of her particular field. Someone who has earned a Ph.D. in education is a doctor of education. Someone who has earned a Ph.D. in history is a doctor of history, and so on. In other words, the only doctorate degree that refers to a medical doctor is the M.D. Dentists are also considered doctors because they've achieved the highest degree in their particular field – D.D.S. or D.M.D. – but they are not considered medical doctors.

It is a good idea to check with someone who has a Ph.D. to see how she likes to be addressed. Many people don't require that they are addressed as "Dr." and prefer to use the salutation "Mr." or "Mrs." because calling people "Dr." often gives the impression that they're a medical doctor, which can be confusing. However, some people do ask that the amount of time and study they have given to their discipline be recognized by the use of the salutation "Dr.," so it is always wise to check individual preference to avoid offense.

Is a Doctorate Higher Than a Master's?

A doctorate degree is the highest degree that one can attain in any discipline and is therefore higher than a master's degree. A master's degree is usually the degree that students get after completing a bachelor's and deciding that they would like to pursue further study in a particular area. A master's degree generally involves more advanced coursework than a bachelor's degree, and unlike a more general B.A. or B.S., it is devoted exclusively to study in one particular discipline.

Despite the fact that a doctorate degree is considered higher than a master's degree, a master's degree is still considered a significant accomplishment. A master's degree holder is considered to be a specialist in his field and in many cases may teach at the college level without having pursued a Ph.D., although a tenure-track position without a doctorate is harder to obtain.

There are many jobs where a master's in the discipline is required for eligibility. Master's degree candidates must also put in many hours of research in order to earn their degree and in many cases may choose to publish their writing in academic journals or other publications.

Can You Get a Ph.D. Without a Master's Degree?

There are some cases in which a student may advance to a Ph.D. program without having gone through a master's program. These programs are often longer than a typical Ph.D. program and incorporate some amount of the coursework that a student would expect to undertake during a master's program.

Therefore, it is not always required to earn a master's before going on to pursue a doctorate or Ph.D., but that is the most typical path to earning an advanced degree. Most schools require that previous study.

What Is the Difference Between a D.Tech and a Ph.D.?

The D.Tech degree is a degree with which many Americans are unfamiliar. The D.Tech degree is the name given to the most advanced degree that one can pursue in the field of technology. The D.Tech has various names depending on the country in which it is awarded.

In some countries, the D.Tech is given the same sort of weight as a doctorate degree. In other countries, it is considered far less significant. In South Africa, for example, the D.Tech is given the same weight as other research doctorates, but in countries like the United States, it is considered to be closer to a professional certification.

In the United States, the National Science Foundation initially recognized the D.Tech as equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy degree. However, in 2008, the D.Tech was re-evaluated and found to be closer to a degree reflecting a professional pursuit. It was decided that the D.Tech did not meet the criteria for a research doctorate, and it is instead considered in a professional category rather than a research category.

What Is a Research Doctorate?

The distinctions in degrees and their weights are important, particularly given the fact that different countries consider these degrees with varying levels of importance. In the United States, the emphasis placed on a research doctorate is significant. This is because it indicates that the degree holder doesn't only have a professional understanding of the discipline but has conducted significant research and has done the kind of writing and teaching that furthers the scholarship of the discipline.

This is particularly important to distinguish Ph.D. holders who have written dissertations or conducted projects that have significantly advanced the scholarship in their field. By moving the D.Tech to a designation outside of research doctorates, the National Science Foundation intended to truly honor those scholars who have made such valuable contributions to their subjects.

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Ashley Friedman is a freelance writer with experience writing about education for a variety of organizations and educational institutions as well as online media sites. She has written for Pearson Education, The University of Miami, The New York City Teaching Fellows, New Visions for Public Schools, and a number of independent secondary schools. She lives in Los Angeles.

Can a PhD be called Doctor? Doctoral Degree Titles

If someone holds a PhD, they are able to call themselves Doctor. The doctor title is very prestigious and often projects expertise and respect in those who decide to use it.

A person with a PhD can be called Dr. However, many people with PhD degrees choose not to use their official titles unless they are communicating in an official capacity or are working in a professional role where they use their PhD.

I reserve the use my PhD title when I am giving a talk as it provides immediate credibility whereas, I do not often use my doctor title in many other instances.

When I first got my PhD I used my doctor title a lot more than I do now. I guess, the novelty has worn off and I have decided that it is not something that defines who I am as a person and, therefore, I would only use it in an official capacity.

Should PhDs use the title “doctor” after their doctorate? 

It is a personal choice for a PhD holder to use the title of “doctor”.

In many countries, it is common practice to use the title when referring to someone with a doctoral degree.

The title of doctor holds a significant level of prestige, and it generally signifies a high level of education and expertise in a particular field. Which is why it is important to use it in an official capacity.

Those who have earned a PhD have spent many years researching, writing and defending their work and have earned the right to use the title if so desired.

The title of doctor can also be used by medical professionals, and it is important to clarify the intended meaning when using the title to avoid confusion.

The decision to use the title of doctor is a personal one that should be made with an understanding of its significance and potential implications.

Even though the original use of the doctor title was for scholars, nowadays there are several different professional qualifications that can use the doctor title.

There are many honorific doctor titles, including those found in the table below.

The use of the doctor term for many healthcare-related qualifications can cause a fair bit of confusion about what qualification the person has achieved.

If you have any doubt about what degree a person holds look at the letters after their name.

If you want to know more about the doctor title check out my other article:

• How to use the PhD title and all the little doctorate “rules”
• Is a PhD a Doctor? [The full guide]

When can a PhD student be called doctor? After their dissertation?

A PhD student can be called doctor after successfully completing all the requirements of their program, including passing their dissertation defense.

More specifically, many universities only allow you to use the doctoral title after confirmation of your degree.

The University of Adelaide says that you can use it from your conferral date:

Students can be conferred on one of five dates during the year and for PhD students the conferral date will be the first available following the completion of all the academic requirements of your degree, including final thesis lodgement and the disbursement of any outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Personally, I felt comfortable using the doctor title as soon as I receive my notification letter from the University referring to me as Dr Stapleton. It was from this moment that I started using the doctor title.

There would be nothing wrong with someone using the doctor title after they have successfully defended their PhD – it just comes down to a matter of personal preference.

The title “Doctor” can still be used informally for those who hold other doctoral degrees such as a JD (Doctor of Law) or an EdD (Doctor of Education).

A PhD student can only be referred as a “Doctor” upon the completion of their doctoral program and after receiving their degree.

Why is PhD called doctor of philosophy?

A Ph.D. is called a Doctor of Philosophy because historically, philosophy was considered the foundation of all knowledge.

The word “philosophy” itself means the love of wisdom, and the pursuit of truth through reason and logic.

In medieval Europe, philosophy encompassed all forms of intellectual inquiry, including:

• mathematics,
• and history.

As universities developed and specialized in particular disciplines, the title of Doctor of Philosophy became associated with the highest level of academic achievement in any field.

This means that a Ph.D. is not limited to the study of philosophy but refers to any individual who has demonstrated the ability to conduct original research in their chosen field and make a significant contribution to advancing knowledge.

A Ph.D. signifies not only mastery of a specific subject but also the ability to think deeply and critically about complex problems. There are now many professional doctorates that include the doctor titleIn recognition of the hard work and deep thinking required to complete.

Wrapping up

Yes, PhD holders can be called Doctor.

Once you’ve completed a PhD and been conferred by your university and institution you can officially use the Dr title before your name and the PhD tag after your name.

Many doctoral degree holders only use their academic title in official settings such as academia and official duties.

Even though I was very excited about receiving my doctor title, after a couple of years the novelty wears off and I only use my official titles in the same way that someone would want to include Mr, Mrs, or Ms.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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When can you call yourself doctor?

I just passed my dissertation defense. This means there is nothing left but paperwork to get my doctorate. Among the various congratulations I've received a couple have termed me: Dr. My assumption was that I'm not really a doctor until I go through the graduation ceremony, but now I'm wondering. Is there a convention as to when exactly I can call myself Doctor?

• 27 It is apparent from your question that, you are excited to hear people calling you Dr. Ewert! Congratulations. –  user1162 Commented May 11, 2013 at 3:42
• 15 This may be country-dependent. In some places (such as the US), use of the Doctor title is merely a question of etiquette and may be subjective; but in others (e.g. Germany) it is actually governed by law. –  Nate Eldredge Commented Nov 27, 2013 at 3:36
• 16 “The name I chose is ‘The Doctor.’ The name you choose is like a promise you make.” — Doctor Who –  F'x Commented Nov 27, 2013 at 7:16
• 4 Following up on @NateEldredge, in Germany some (not all) universities grant successful PhD defendants the right to hold a "Dr. des." (Doctor designatus) until the degree is officialy conferred. –  non-numeric_argument Commented Nov 27, 2013 at 10:50
• 6 I have a PhD and rarely use my title (Dr). Happy to give it to those who clamour for the title. Any takers? –  user25277 Commented Dec 8, 2014 at 3:18

8 Answers 8

Writing as an Administrator:

It is appropriate to use the title when you are a graduate, ie, when the degree is conferred either in notice by letter or by ceremony (which ever comes first). Prior to that your status is that of a graduand. If you've been using the work-title PhD Candidate you might consider changing to PhD Graduand to indicate this status: that you're awaiting conferral but you've met the substantive criteria for fulfillment of your degree. Additional source: Swinburn on Postnominals .

Congratulations by the way!

• 56 But in practice, nobody but lawyers and administrators will object if you claim to have a PhD once your thesis has been approved and deposited. The graduation ceremony is just a play. –  JeffE Commented May 11, 2013 at 19:56
• 13 Following up on what JeffE said, in my experience it is quite common practice (but not one I agree with) for people other than the student to start using the title "Dr." from the moment the dissertation defense is passed. –  David Z Commented May 12, 2013 at 22:20
• 11 While this is somewhat tangential to the question, if you are applying for jobs, a letter (usually from the University Registrar) or an official transcript that indicates that you have "fulfilled all requirements for conferral of the degree of Ph.D." is usually sufficient to indicate proof that you have a Ph.D degree. –  Irwin Commented May 13, 2013 at 16:54

First, Congratulations! Second, in about two weeks you'll forget about the whole issue with when to call yourself a doctor, simply because it will have been overcome by the events of your actual graduation. That is to say: at this point, it doesn't really matter, and no one is going to care one way or another; the gray area between when you pass your defense, and when you are officially conferred the degree is a short, finite time.

The bigger question may be, When should you call yourself a doctor (even after graduation)? Or, What is the proper way to address yourself . I recommend being tactful when considering introducing yourself as "Doctor X," because that can come across as pretentious, and you don't want that as a first impression.

On a lighter note, a professor I know stopped selecting the "Dr." salutation for airline flights after a flight attendant asked her to help with a medical emergency. Her reply to the request was, "unless the medical emergency can benefit from intricate knowledge of computer architecture, I'm not the doctor you're looking for!"

• 1 Thanks. The time period is actually longer in my case because I've defended too late to graduate this semester, so I'm actually graduating in August. –  Winston Ewert Commented May 11, 2013 at 5:25
• 4 @WinstonEwert Same thing happened to me -- either way, it is a matter of months, and not really long enough to stress about (though for official documents, I would refer to Samuel Russell's answer). My committee chair congratulated me with "Dr. Gregg" immediately after I came back into the room after defending, and that night to dinner I wore a "Trust me, I'm a doctor" t-shirt I was given. To the extent that you can, live it up now! :) –  Chris Gregg Commented May 11, 2013 at 6:08
• I'm not really stressed about it, I'm just thinking I'm going to have a lot of people ask me about over the next months, and I'd like to have the correct answer. –  Winston Ewert Commented May 11, 2013 at 13:35
• Congratulations! Also, from a lighter side, I am about 6 months off completion of my PhD, and are already called 'Dr. D' by my colleagues and 'Doc' by my students (ama high school teacher). –  user7130 Commented May 22, 2013 at 11:44
• Did this really happen to your colleague, or is it a famous meme? –  Agnishom Chattopadhyay Commented Sep 19 at 3:11

In British universities, the relevant point is when the result of the viva (thesis defence) is published. This usually takes the form of the result being pinned on a board in a corridor somewhere in the adiministration building - I like to think of the corridor being subterranean with the sound of constant dripping water, the only visitor ever to enter being the person who pins the results up. This is normally about a week or so after the viva, if you pass without corrections, or a similar period after the examiners have said that you have corrected the thesis to their satisfaction. Then you can call yourself doctor and have all your bank cards changed! The graduation could be 6 months after you pass, and when you get your certificate the date of the award will be the publication date rather than the date of the graduation ceremony.

• 4 This may be the case at some British universities, but it is not universal (compare universities where graduation is the ceremony that confers the degree, rather than simply marking the change in status; then one is not a doctor until one has been made a doctor; a notice of results is just an announcement that this is going to happen). –  dbmag9 Commented Jun 4, 2015 at 11:14

Quoting Yogi Berra, "it ain't over till it's over". Just because someone feels the degree has been earned, does not mean it will be conferred. After a successful dissertation defense, the graduand likely has some additional obligations to the institution.

Should you state that you are 'married' just because your wedding is near? Same thing for degrees. You do not have it until you have it.

I defended my final dissertation defense two weeks ago, and my chair congratulated me and called me Dr. Woo! I always thought it was until when the title is conferred in a doctoral commencement, they can call you Dr. But on the contrary, you are called Dr. the moment you pass your dissertation defense.

• 7 I'm not so sure if it's technical/legally correct, but it certainly is a common thing for committee and friends to do after the defense. I remember, it feels good! –  F'x Commented Nov 27, 2013 at 7:17

In most German universities, you're not a doctor before you've published the dissertation, typically a book. Another year to make it exciting. But at least you can call yourself Dr. des. (doctor designatus) in the meantime.

• 1 In Germany, it is technically a criminal offence to call yourself a "Doktor" without the final certificate. –  Karl Commented Nov 11, 2017 at 0:56

This depends on the country. Luckily there is a long Wikipedia page dedicated to the use of the Doctor title .

In the United States, the title Doctor is commonly used professionally by those who have earned a doctorate-level degree.

So in theory you're not a doctor till you get some paper attesting you earned your doctorate-level degree.

• 1 I'm not sure that I would jump from what Wikipedia says is "commonly used" to an "in theory" assertion ;-) –  Flyto Commented May 30, 2018 at 8:44

This varies by institution. I haven't heard that attending the actual graduation ceremony is obligatory anywhere, but I haven't checked around. Where I got my degree, the University of Minnesota, the rule was that the degree takes effect on the last day of the month in which all the paperwork gets completed by the candidate and the institution, and there was no obligation to attend the ceremony. But a few years earlier, it was done quarterly rather than monthly.

As to when you can call yourself "Doctor", I would think it depends on the context and purpose. At a party you can tell someone you just finished your Ph.D. In more formal contexts, you can say you finished your Ph.D., to be effective April 31st.

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Is a PhD a Doctor? Demystifying Academic Titles

As you’ve thought about going back to school to earn a PhD degree, you might have wondered, “Is a PhD a doctor?”

It’s worth exploring the answer to this question, because a PhD is a doctor, but not in the way some might think.

As you learn more about what it means to hold a PhD, you’ll also discover facts about what this degree entails and where it may take you in life. In the process, you can find out whether getting a PhD is the right choice for you!

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Is a PhD a Doctor?

Yes, a PhD is a doctor. That’s because this degree is also called a Doctor of Philosophy. Having a PhD demonstrates that you are an expert who can contribute new research to your field.

Despite the “doctor” title, having a PhD doesn’t mean that you can practice medicine. It’s entirely different from being a medical doctor (MD). To understand what a PhD is, it helps to know what’s involved.

To earn a PhD, you’ll take a series of courses. You’ll also complete a huge research and writing project called a dissertation. This project will focus on a specific niche within your subject area. There may be comprehensive examinations involved as well.

Examples of PhD degrees include:

• PhD in Biochemistry
• PhD in Computer Science
• PhD in Chemical Engineering
• PhD in Economics
• PhD in History
• PhD in Management

In a PhD program, you’ll explore the theoretical side of your field. You might produce new research that can contribute to people’s understanding of your subject area and can help guide how practitioners carry out their work.

Generally, someone who earns a PhD doesn’t intend to be a practitioner. For example, a person getting a PhD in Management may not plan to become a business manager. Rather, that student wants to explore management theories that can improve organizational and business practices. This sets PhD degrees apart from another type of doctoral degree—the applied or professional doctorate.

People who earn professional doctorates want an expert-level education that they can apply to the work that they do in their field. For example, for a person who plans to be a business manager, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) could be fitting.

A person with a PhD, on the other hand, often intends to become a scientific researcher or a professor. It’s a degree focused on academia. Regardless of the distinctions between these degrees, people with PhDs, applied doctorates, and MD degrees can all be called “doctor” in most contexts.

What Is a PhD?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an advanced degree that involves expert-level research and learning. In most fields, a PhD represents the highest level of learning available, so it’s often known as a terminal degree. This type of doctoral degree is research oriented.

In addition to taking classes, students undertake a major research project that contributes new ideas or theories to their field. This project involves writing a sizable paper known as a dissertation. Getting a PhD sets many students on the path toward a career in academia as an educator or a researcher.

Do You Need a PhD to Be a Professor?

The requirements for becoming a professor can vary greatly from one college to another, but a PhD is not always necessary. It can certainly help, though, especially if you’re seeking a full-time tenured position at a major university. Many schools accept other terminal degrees, such as professional doctorates, as well.

Do professors need a PhD ? In some cases, a doctoral degree may not be essential. A master’s degree and professional experience may suffice for technical instructors, such as those in allied health fields. Also, some schools require only a master’s degree for teaching lower-level courses. Community colleges are a prime example.

What’s the Difference Between an MD vs. PhD Degree?

Although you can call someone with a PhD “doctor,” it’s not the same as being a healthcare provider. It’s essential to understand this distinction when asking, “Are PhD doctors?”

So, if you have a PhD are you a doctor? Yes, that will be your title, but it won’t qualify you to practice medicine.

What’s the Difference Between a Professional Doctorate vs. PhD?

Many fields include two options for terminal degrees: professional doctorate degrees and PhDs. Your goals can help you determine which is best for you.

When considering the differences between a PhD vs. doctorate degree, neither of these degrees is “higher” than the other in terms of education level.

Getting Your PhD Degree Online

Now that you have an answer to the question “Does a PhD make you a doctor?” you may be ready to enroll in a PhD program and earn your doctoral degree. A number of universities now offer one year online doctoral programs .

In addition to granting you the title of “doctor,” this type of degree program can also benefit your career and provide personal fulfillment. Perhaps you’ll become a researcher, a professor, or a leader in your industry. You could also have the pride and satisfaction of knowing you’ve accomplished a huge undertaking.

You can earn your PhD through online study with an accredited university. You can start exploring top schools for online PhD programs today.

Your next big step starts here—click “Find My Program” today.

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