| If you are a serious student who wants to achieve the | | | | various fields, such as business (management and |
| pinnacle of education in your particular chosen field, the | | | | information technology), engineering, sciences |
| doctorate program can help you achieve your goals. | | | | (chemistry and biology), education, and other academic |
| The doctorate degree is often referred to as a | | | | areas. In a nutshell, doctorate programs begin with |
| "terminal degree" as it is the highest level of education | | | | gaining broad knowledge in the field and teaching basic |
| available for most fields of study. Those who possess | | | | undergraduate courses before focusing on developing |
| a doctorate degree are considered experts in their | | | | a research project, writing a thesis, taking |
| chosen field, and respected as equals by their peers. | | | | comprehensive exams, and defending the |
| There are different kinds of doctorate degrees. The | | | | publication-quality thesis before a peer group of faculty |
| research doctorate (Ph.D.) is the most common and is | | | | who will judge the candidate's qualifications and |
| awarded in recognition of academic research and | | | | readiness. |
| contribution to human knowledge. Professional | | | | Those interested in doctorate programs or doctoral |
| doctorates are awarded in professions of law, | | | | degrees must be prepared to spend many years of |
| medicine, music, and ministry, to name a few. | | | | intensive study, and must be eager to advance |
| Honorary doctorates are awarded by institutions in | | | | theoretical and practical knowledge and leadership |
| honor of noteworthy contributions to fields other than | | | | skills. The satisfaction and many rewards and |
| academic. Honorary degrees are often conferred on | | | | accolades that await the doctorate degree holder are |
| celebrities. So as not to confuse the Honorary | | | | immeasurable, making it well worth the necessary |
| Doctorate with academic degrees, it has become | | | | sacrifices and effort. |
| common to use Hon.D. to indicate that the degree is | | | | If you would like to learn more about Doctorate |
| purely honorary. | | | | Programs [ and Online Doctorate Programs, you can |
| A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree | | | | find more in-depth information and resources on our |
| possible, the most common being the Doctor of | | | | website. |
| Philosophy (PhD). Doctorate programs require | | | | DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and |
| candidates to spend anywhere from four to six years | | | | may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and |
| in graduate school, subsequent to the master degree. | | | | or services associated with ANY ONE particular |
| PhD degree programs build extensive knowledge in | | | | school(s) that is or is not advertised on |
| the chosen field of study. The doctorate program | | | | Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by |
| produces new original research that holds meaning in | | | | SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive |
| the field, and prepares candidates for teaching at the | | | | Communications, Inc. |
| college and university level. | | | | Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an |
| Doctorate programs are possible in many subjects as | | | | ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its |
| well as combinations of subjects that some students | | | | entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links |
| may choose for developing skills and expertise in | | | | remain intact and active. |