Doctorate

From BluSkyPedia

A doctor is an academic degree that is typically required in order to teach a subject at the university level. Typically a doctor is considered a terminal degree–the highest level of education you can obtain in a certain field.

Honorary doctorates allow universities to recognize someone's contribution to society through an honorary degree. The practice is slightly controversial and some universities refused to award honorary degrees.

Typically doctorates fall into one or two categories. The first category is a research doctorate. This is often referred to as a doctor of Flossie or PhD. Research doctorates are focused on doing original research. And often require a dissertation written on the original research done in the field of study.

Professional doctorates prepare a student to practice in a particular field. Rather than being research-based they are based on a field of professional practice. For example the medical doctor degree is generally considered a professional doctorate.

Traditionally a doctorate would be pursued after having received a master's degree. However some institutions are offering doctor degrees they can be pursued immediately upon having completed a bachelors degree. A bachelors degree is always going to be a prerequisite for pursuing a doctorate degree.