How it works
Thinking past a master's? Press the button for one doctoral degree awarded in the United States, from the PhD to the Doctor of Physical Therapy. Each card says what the degree is for and whether it is research or professional.
Read the full guide
Research or professional
A research doctorate, such as the PhD, asks for advanced work beyond the master's level and a dissertation based on original research. Professional doctorates, such as the Doctor of Medicine and the Juris Doctor, have no dissertation research component. Each card says which list its degree is on.
Narrow it by field
After your first press, the list under the button narrows the draw: Research doctorates, Health professions, Education and people, Business and public service, Law, Arts and theology, or Science and engineering.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate?
A PhD is a research doctorate: graduate study and original research, ending in a dissertation. Professional doctorates such as the Doctor of Medicine and the Juris Doctor have no dissertation research component and lead toward one profession.
Is a JD or an MD a doctorate?
In the United States both are listed as professional doctorates. The MD is the professional degree of a physician, and the JD is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares people to practice law.
Does the page say which doctorate pays most or takes longest?
No. Pay, length, cost, rankings and admission rules change every year and differ by school, so the list holds none. Each line says only what the degree is for, checked against its Wikipedia article.