Social Science Degree
A doctoral degree or doctorate is an academic degree of the highest level. Traditionally, the award of a doctorate implies recognition of the candidate as an equal by the university faculty under which he or she has studied. There are essentially three types of doctorates:first-professional (USA only), research, and honorary. Research doctorates are nearly always awarded in recognition of academic research that is of a publishable standard (even if not actually published) and represents at least a modest contribution to human knowledge. It is usually assessed by submission and defense of a doctoral thesis or dissertation, though in some cases a coherent body of published literature can be accepted instead. Honorary doctorates are awarded for a substantial contribution to a field but this need not be academic in character.
The title of Doctor is used both by and of those holding research doctorates or some professional (usually medical) degrees, but according to convention is not used by or of those holding honorary doctorates. Additionally, in the United States while a person with a research doctorate would use the title "Doctor" in an academic or research/development setting, and in publication, he would generally not use the title if working in a corporate setting.General information
In the United States, first-professional doctoral degrees are first degrees in a given field and include: Chiropractic, Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Optometry, Osteopathy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Psychology and Veterinary medicine. There are many others. Although these degrees may be both the initial and terminal degree in their field, students seeking to enter degree programs for them must have already completed a Bachelors degree, usually in a related field.First-professional doctoral degrees such as the M.D. and J.D. do not require completion of a thesis/dissertation or publication of a coherent body of literature. The normal minimum term for a first-professional doctorate can be as little as 3 years past secondary education. These "first-professional" doctoral degrees therefore lack the status of the research doctorates. Actual practice within the field requires that the degree holder become licensed by the appropriate body (an organization not affiliated with the schools granting the degrees) and registration can require a certain amount of work experience.The most common type of research doctorate is a Ph.D. (Philosophiae Doctor or Doctor of Philosophy), though there are many other designations, listed below. Minimum periods for research doctorates vary considerably: In the UK and USA the minimum time for completing a Ph.D. is usually 3 years from time of enrollment (which usually takes place after the award of a bachelor's or master's degree). Although completions within this period are possible, most candidates take considerably longer, with a common average of roughly 7.5 years often seen in the USA for the 'hard' sciences, such as physics, engineering, and chemistry. A shorter span of time in the USA is often seen in the 'soft' sciences such as sociology and anthropology.Although the Ph.D. is almost universally accepted currently as the standard qualification for an academic career, it is a relatively new invention. The older-style doctorates (now usually called "Higher Doctorates" in the United Kingdom) take much longer to complete, since candidates must show themselves to be leading experts in their subjects. These doctorates are now becoming rare, and are usually only awarded as Honorary degrees. In France, the higher doctorate was suppressed and replaced for academic recruitment purposes by the much lighter "habilitation to direct theses".List of Doctorates
First-Degree (or First-professional) Doctorates
- D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic)
- D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
- J.D. (Juris Doctor or Doctor of Law)
- M.D. (Medicinae Doctor or Doctor of Medicine) (US)
- D.P.T. (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
- D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
- D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine)
- D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine)
- D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
- Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology)
- Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy)
- O.D. (Optometry Doctor or Doctor of Optometry)
Research oriented doctorates
While the Ph.D. is the most common doctoral degree, and even often (mis)understood to be synonymous with the term "doctorate", the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recognize numerous doctoral degrees as equivalent, and do not discriminate between them:- Doctor of Arts (D.A.)
- Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.)
- Doctor of Applied Science (D.A.S.)
- Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
- Doctor of Chemistry (D.Chem.)
- Doctor of Criminal Justice (D.C.J.)
- Doctor of Comparative/Civil Law (D.C.L.)
- Doctor of Computer Science (D.C.S.)
- Doctor of Criminology (D.Crim.)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Doctor of Environmental Design (D.E.D.)
- Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.)
- Doctor of Environment (D.Env.)
- Doctor of Engineering Science (D.E.Sc./Sc.D.E.)
- Doctor of Forestry (D.F.)
- Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.)
- Doctor of Geological Science (D.G.S.)
- Doctor of Hebrew Literature/Letters (D.H.L.)
- Doctor of Health and Safety (D.H.S.)
- Doctor of Hebrew Studies (D.H.S.)
- Doctor of Industrial Technology (D.I.T.)
- Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)
- Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
- Doctor of Liberal Studies (D.L.S.)
- Doctor of Library Science (D.L.S.)
- Doctor of Music (D.M.)
- Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A., A.Mus.D.)
- Doctor of Musical Education (D.M.E.)
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min./D.M.)
- Doctor of Modern Languages (D.M.L.)
- Doctor of Music Ministry (D.M.M.)
- Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.Sc.)
- Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc.)
- Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.)
- Doctor of Physical Education (D.P.E.)
- Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
- Doctor of Professional Studies (D.P.S.)
- Doctor of Design (Dr.DES.)
- Doctor of Religious Education (D.R.E.)
- Doctor of Recreation (D.Rec./D.R.)
- Doctor of Science (D.Sc./Sc.D.)
- Doctor of Science in Dentistry (D.Sc.D.)
- Doctor of Science and Hygiene (D.Sc.H.)
- Doctor of Science in Veterinary Medicine (D.Sc.V.M.)
- Doctor of Sacred Music (D.S.M.)
- Doctor of Social Science (D.S.Sc.)
- Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.)
- Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.)
- Doctor of the Science of Law (L.Sc.D.)
- Doctor of Rehabilitation (Rh.D.)
- Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)
- Doctor of Theology (Th.D.)
Featured Programs [10]
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration
The Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration program prepares you to meet the challenges of governance and effective service delivery as government and nonprofit institutions become increasingly intertwined. To have robust communities, leaders must have the vision to create plans, develop policies, and manage resources across economic sectors. As a result, we need leaders in public service whose...
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / E-Government
As governmental institutions apply technological advances in communication and policy development, the evolution of e-government spells important changes in how they operate and relate to constituents. Using technology effectively and ethically is a new and important challenge to democratic institutions.
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Emergency Response Policy and Coordination
Today�s complex public safety environment demands smart policy on emergency response strategies. Walden�s specialization in Emergency Response Policy and Coordination prepares homeland security professionals to implement protective measures without compromising individual rights and freedoms. With this knowledge, students are equipped to effectively develop policy to protect individuals�...
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Health Services
Americans have seen radical changes in the health care industry over the past several years. They�ve watched it go from an independent structure to a collection of major business enterprises, which in turn have changed the way health care is delivered. As the health care environment changes, managers must quickly adapt to succeed. Walden�s P.P.A. program with a health services specialization...
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / International Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)
In an era of increasing globalization, it is important for leaders of nonprofit organizations and government departments at the local, state, and national level to know how to operate in an international environment. This specialization explores how countries organize, regulate, and foster nongovernmental activities; how international intergovernmental organizations operate; and how...
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Knowledge Management
This specialization prepares students to develop innovative solutions to their organizations� most critical challenges through the comprehensive creation, sharing and use of knowledge and the effective education of adult learners. The curriculum is focused on organizational change (e.g., Total Quality, Six Sigma, re-engineering, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award) and organizational...
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Without constant attention to democratic and social institutions, a society and its individuals cannot prosper. This specialization investigates these issues and prepares you to become knowledgeable social-change agents through scholarly inquiry, applied research, and effective participation in these institutions.
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Public Management and Leadership
Public services are being delivered through alternative non-governmental institutions, and citizens and their elected officials are expecting more from those who manage public and nonprofit institutions. The Public Management and Leadership specialization prepares scholar-practitioners to lead reform in public administration.
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Public Policy
Developing and implementing forward-thinking public policy and engaging citizens in the process are critical to the health of our society. Public and nonprofit administrators who are intimately involved in both executive and legislative board policy and decision-making play an important role in policy development and implementation. By allowing you to apply your research in practical ways, the...
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration / Public Safety Management
The emergency situations we face in today�s complex environment call for a new leadership approach. Walden�s specialization in Public Safety Management offers emergency response professionals the skills to lead, manage, and motivate others during emergencies; to build confident and capable teams; and to address challenging ethical situations that may arise during the course of duty.