How Long Does It Take To Earn a Doctoral Degree?
Written By: Usmaan Farooqui
Published: 1/31/2022
Key Insights:
- Doctorates take multiple years of graduate study to achieve, with most programs lasting an average of 7.5 years
- Students must meet several requirements to earn this degree, including completing advanced coursework, passing multiple exams, and successfully completing a practicum or dissertation project
- Times to completion vary based on many factors, including the chosen discipline, type of doctorate, specific program rules, and individual circumstances
Written By: Usmaan Farooqui
Published: 1/31/2022
Key Insights:
- Doctorates take multiple years of graduate study to achieve, with most programs lasting an average of 7.5 years
- Students must meet several requirements to earn this degree, including completing advanced coursework, passing multiple exams, and successfully completing a practicum or dissertation project
- Times to completion vary based on many factors, including the chosen discipline, type of doctorate, specific program rules, and individual circumstances
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As the highest possible level of formal education, a doctorate trains students to become experts in their chosen field of study. Those interested in pursuing this terminal degree should note that it is a significant undertaking, with students having to meet multiple academic milestones as well as navigate many practical considerations along the way.
Given the rigorous, often challenging nature of higher education at the doctoral level, it is no surprise that it takes an as well as information on how different considerations, such as the program type and individual circumstances, may affect completion periods for individual students.
Given the rigorous, often challenging nature of higher education at the doctoral level, it is no surprise that it takes an .
Steps to Earning a Doctoral Degree
In general, a doctoral program consists of coursework, exams, and a final research project. Each of these requirements can take several semesters 鈥� or even years 鈥� to finish, which is why a doctorate can sometimes take twice as long as a bachelor's degree to achieve.
Students typically spend the first 2-3 years of graduate school taking advanced classes and training in multiple research methods. The precise number of credits varies, but most doctoral degree programs are 60-120 credit hours long. Once they gain a solid foundation in the theories and methods of their discipline, students take comprehensive exams in specific subfields to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of semesters, depending on the student's chosen degree specialization and subject area. For instance, while qualifying exams in the physical and life sciences usually culminate in a written test after students meet coursework requirements, other disciplines 鈥� particularly in the humanities and social sciences 鈥� take longer because the exams often include researching and writing an academic paper.
After meeting these prerequisites, graduate students advance to degree candidacy, also known as the all-but-dissertation (ABD) phase. This is typically the most research-intensive part of a doctoral program, with candidates having to convene a committee of faculty and propose a suitable topic before researching, writing, and publicly defending an original, book-length capstone project that advances original knowledge in their field. Given that it involves multiple overlapping steps, a dissertation may take several more years to finish after achieving candidacy.
As the highest possible level of formal education, a doctorate trains students to become experts in their chosen field of study. Those interested in pursuing this terminal degree should note that it is a significant undertaking, with students having to meet multiple academic milestones as well as navigate many practical considerations along the way.
Given the rigorous, often challenging nature of higher education at the doctoral level, it is no surprise that it takes an as well as information on how different considerations, such as the program type and individual circumstances, may affect completion periods for individual students.
Given the rigorous, often challenging nature of higher education at the doctoral level, it is no surprise that it takes an .
Steps to Earning a Doctoral Degree
In general, a doctoral program consists of coursework, exams, and a final research project. Each of these requirements can take several semesters 鈥� or even years 鈥� to finish, which is why a doctorate can sometimes take twice as long as a bachelor's degree to achieve.
Students typically spend the first 2-3 years of graduate school taking advanced classes and training in multiple research methods. The precise number of credits varies, but most doctoral degree programs are 60-120 credit hours long. Once they gain a solid foundation in the theories and methods of their discipline, students take comprehensive exams in specific subfields to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of semesters, depending on the student's chosen degree specialization and subject area. For instance, while qualifying exams in the physical and life sciences usually culminate in a written test after students meet coursework requirements, other disciplines 鈥� particularly in the humanities and social sciences 鈥� take longer because the exams often include researching and writing an academic paper.
After meeting these prerequisites, graduate students advance to degree candidacy, also known as the all-but-dissertation (ABD) phase. This is typically the most research-intensive part of a doctoral program, with candidates having to convene a committee of faculty and propose a suitable topic before researching, writing, and publicly defending an original, book-length capstone project that advances original knowledge in their field. Given that it involves multiple overlapping steps, a dissertation may take several more years to finish after achieving candidacy.
Applied Doctorates vs Research Doctorates
Not all doctoral degrees emphasize research, and those that don't may be achieved comparatively quicker than those that do. Applied doctorates 鈥� also known as professional doctorates 鈥� usually don't include a dissertation element. Instead, they require students to finish advanced classes and pass exams. Examples of such degrees include medical doctorates, juris doctorates, and business doctorates. Unlike a Doctor of Philosophy, these credentials are designed to be completed in 3-4 years of full-time study.
Applied Doctorates vs Research Doctorates
Not all doctoral degrees emphasize research, and those that don't may be achieved comparatively quicker than those that do. Applied doctorates 鈥� also known as professional doctorates 鈥� usually don't include a dissertation element. Instead, they require students to finish advanced classes and pass exams. Examples of such degrees include medical doctorates, juris doctorates, and business doctorates. Unlike a Doctor of Philosophy, these credentials are designed to be completed in 3-4 years of full-time study.
Completion Times Vary by Discipline
The length of time a student spends in graduate school can change depending on their field of study. According to can be a rewarding experience, as it may not only expand an individual's career opportunities but perhaps also increase their
Conclusion: Earning a Doctorate is a Substantial Time Commitment
Achieving a doctoral degree can be a rewarding experience, as it may not only expand an individual's career opportunities but perhaps also increase their