How to Get a Doctorate Degree
Also known as a PhD, a doctorate is a degree that qualifies a person to teach in a specific field. The word "doctorate" goes back to the Middle Ages and means "license to teach," but in modern times doctorates are varied and with different descriptions. In many, but not all, instances it confers the title of "doctor" on the recipient.
Prior to earning a doctorate you will need a bachelor’s or master’s level education.
- Understand the price that will be paid. The price of earning a doctorate can be quantified both in monetary terms and in terms of how much of your life you will have to spend on the subject. Doctoral programs can take up to 7 years to complete. If you have student debt, you will likely be increasing it over the time it takes to get a doctorate. There are also post-doctoral programs to consider, which will take even more time. In most cases up until you earn the degree, you will not be making a lot of money, and in many cases, not even after that point.
- Find an appropriate PhD program at a university of your choice.
- Master your subject completely. This is education that goes beyond the master’s level, meaning that you will be working to become among the most knowledgeable on the subject. You should know as much as anyone in the same field has ever known and maybe more.
- Write a dissertation or thesis. This is a document comprised of all the results of the student’s research. The dissertation written in pursuit of a doctorate should make a contribution to the field in which they study. In some degrees a dissertation will need to be supported by an oral examination.