Main Difference
The one primary difference between PhD and professional doctorate programs is the intent and deliverable of the independent research phase. PhD students are expected to create, expand, and contribute to knowledge, research, and theory in their field of study in the form of a dissertation. Professional doctorate students are expected to expand and apply existing knowledge and research to their professional field in one of a variety of forms, such as a dissertation, action research, professional project or portfolio.
PhD
A Ph.D., which stands for Doctor of Philosophy, is classified under academic degrees. Recipients of a Ph.D. also employ the same professional and scholarly characteristics of many doctorate recipients. However, Ph.D. degree recipients are more into research and its related skills (writing, conducting, and presenting research).
Doctorate
A doctorate is a program that can produce either a professional or an academic degree. Doctorate studies focus on two main categories of discipline; research and professional. Holders of a doctorate degree are considered scholars and experts in their field of study.
Key Differences
- Both a doctorate and a Ph.D. are degrees that are categorized as the highest level of educational attainment. Both are postgraduate studies that involve many years of study and contribution to the body of knowledge in a specific field.
- Recipients of both degrees are expected to have expertise and immense knowledge in their chosen field. The ability to do research is another important characteristic.
- A doctorate and a Ph.D.’s (Doctor of Philosophy) main difference is in their scope. A doctorate can apply to any academic or professional degree. This includes various specific industries and professions like law, medicine, business, engineering, and others. On the other hand, a Ph.D. is a more defined degree. It is under the academic degrees and concentrates more on research and teaching.
- Another difference is the presentation of the dissertation, the final requirement before the conferment of the degree.
- Doctoral dissertations usually involve research that is aligned with a certain profession or research orientation. The document is usually submitted for review or assessment. On the other hand, a Ph.D. dissertation is completely inclined towards research and is required to be defended to a panel and should be publishable in a peer-reviewed journal.
- In a PhD program, you’ll focus your research on contributing new knowledge and theory to the body of knowledge in your field. In a professional doctorate program, you’ll focus your research on the practical application of knowledge and theory that already exists within your field. If you plan to continue your work in the field of your choice by implementing your research in the field, the professional doctorate might be the right choice for you. If you plan to contribute to your field through researching and analyzing new theories and solutions, the PhD might be the right choice for you.
- The professional doctorate student will focus on the how, while the PhD student will focus on the why PhD focuses on Create, expand, and contribute to new knowledge, research, and theory in the field in the form of a dissertation. Doctorate is about Expand and apply existing knowledge and research to solve real-world, professional problems in the field in one of a variety of forms, such as a dissertation, action research, professional project or portfolio.