A doctoral degree or doctorate is a terminal degree that represents the highest level of academic achievement in any given field. There are different types of doctoral degrees to consider earning in various fields. The degree you should choose depends on your career goals and your academic and professional interests.
Are you considering a career change? Perhaps you are looking for a way to establish yourself as an expert in your field by making contributions to the body of research. These are common motivations for earning a doctorate, along with opportunities for networking and advanced skill development.(See disclaimer 1) Before getting started, however, take some time to research the different types of doctorate degrees so you can make an informed decision.
Student Testimonial
Recent doctoral graduate, Dr. Lauren Walsh, took an interest in GCU's PhD in performance psychology, where she researched cognitive capacity for her dissertation. She leaned toward this path from her prior work at a high school.
Dr. Walsh completed defending her dissertation within a year and credits a lot of help from her husband in helping raise their children.
"It makes me proud because I can turn to my girls and say, ‘you can do hard things.'"
What Is a Doctoral Degree?
A doctoral degree, or doctorate, is a postgraduate degree that represents the highest level of academic achievement in a field. There are many types of doctoral degrees, which fall into two main categories: professional or applied degrees and research-focused degrees. Research-focused degrees are advantageous for those interested in academia, while professional or applied degrees are advantageous for those who want to apply theory in practical settings.
Doctoral degrees require didactic coursework, and some then have qualification exams. After passing any qualification exams, candidates can then conduct their own original research that culminates in a dissertation or thesis — a lengthy research paper that explains the research, the findings and the researcher’s interpretation. Some programs require candidates to defend the dissertation before an academic panel.
Often, an individual decides to earn a doctorate in preparation for positioning themselves to potentially pursue a high-level leadership position.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional or applied degree designed for business professionals who are interested in mastering business proficiencies and positioning themselves to potentially attain high-level positions within the corporate environment. The DBA is designed to empower business professionals to explore the application of evidence-based theory to specific organizational problems.
It’s important to note that a DBA is distinct from a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration. Whereas the research in the PhD degree is more likely to be theory driven, the DBA degree focuses its research on instilling practical knowledge that can be immediately applicable in business environments.
Programs vary from one school to the next, but in general, DBA candidates can expect to explore the following:
Some students may wish to pursue a DBA with a specialization. For example, you might want to focus your studies on data analytics, marketing or management. Students who choose a specialization can expect to take courses aligned with their chosen academic outcomes.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
A Doctor of Education (EdD) is another practitioner-focused degree that is designed for those seeking to position themselves for potential leadership roles in applied settings. For example, after earning an EdD in Organizational Leadership: Organizational Development, graduates with applicable experience might pursue a career as an education administrator at the primary, secondary or postsecondary levels.
The EdD degree is not the same as a Doctor of Philosophy in Education. The PhD program has research that is orientated and focused on theoretical knowledge. It may be ideal for educators who want to position themselves to potentially pursue a high-level career in academia or academic research.
In contrast, the EdD degree is focused on practice improvement and positive research-based change. It emphasizes leadership skills, policy development and applied practice. Despite the name, the EdD is also well-suited to individuals in other fields.
The Doctor of Education degree emphasizes practical data and behaviors. Students can generally expect to explore topics such as corporate social responsibility, multicultural awareness, strategy execution and ethical decision-making.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed for practicing nurses who wish to position themselves to potentially step into high-level leadership roles in their practice and improve the quality of patient care in their organizations. DNP graduates are prepared to enhance healthcare outcomes through their organizational leadership skills, their advanced direct patient care abilities and their knowledge of healthcare policy implementation.
Unlike PhD programs for nursing, which are theory-focused, the DNP focuses on clinical skills and leadership abilities. In other words, a DNP is better suited to a nurse who wishes to continue providing direct patient care, rather than conduct research away from the bedside.
In addition, the DNP can prepare nurses to sit for the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) exams; however, you can be a NP with relevant MSN as well. There are different types of APRNs, such as nurse practitioners (NPs), who can practice with greater autonomy and independence than registered nurses (RNs). A DNP can be an ideal choice for RNs who aspire to become NPs.
In a typical DNP program, a student may expect to study topics such as:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy is one of the doctorate degree types that can span across a wide range of fields. The name might seem misleading, as graduates are not necessarily philosophy majors. In fact, you could earn a PhD in counselor education and supervision, psychology and other fields and specializations.
A PhD can be a good choice for you if your professional interests include research and academia. After earning a Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology (Qualitative Research), for example, you might pursue a career as a postsecondary psychology teacher.
How To Choose the Right Doctoral Degree
Take your time exploring all of your doctorate degree options to ensure you choose the one that best fits your needs. You will want to focus on finding a program that aligns with your professional goals, whether you’d like to climb within your own industry or transition to a new industry.
You should also consider your academic interests, as well. A doctoral program requires a great deal of time spent on literature review and original research, as well as writing the dissertation. It’s important to choose a program that can support a dissertation topic that will sustain your interest for the long haul.
Another important consideration is the type of doctorate you earn. First, you may wish to narrow down your choices by deciding whether a theory-based degree, such as the PhD, is better suited to you or whether a professional doctorate will meet your needs best. Then, you can narrow down your options further still by exploring different areas of academic focus.
Explore Doctoral Degree Programs at GCU
At the College of Doctoral Studies at GCU, you will find many different types of doctoral degrees geared toward working professionals in various fields. Some of your options include the Doctor of Business Administration: Data Analytics (Qualitative Research) program and the Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Quantitative Research) degree.
Earn a doctoral degree that aligns with your career goals and interests. Learn more about GCU's College of Doctoral Studies and student resources.
