Is a Doctorate Degree Right for Me?

Doctoral degrees require several years of study but can be worthwhile. Evaluate your career goals and majors to determine if a doctorate degree is right for you.

Doctorate degrees are the highest level of degree you can earn. They can lead to a variety of advanced career paths in professional fields, as well as research and academia.

Earning a doctoral degree takes several years of study, so it's a big commitment. It's not always easy to determine if this is the right choice, as there are many factors to consider. Keep reading as we break down what you need to know so you can decide if a doctoral degree is right for you.

What Is a Doctoral Degree?

A doctoral degree, or doctorate degree, is a graduate degree and the terminal degree for most fields. Thus, there is no higher degree than a doctorate degree.

Doctorate degrees take several years to complete. There are two primary types of doctoral degrees: research doctorates and professional doctorates.

Research doctorates are most frequently Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees and can be awarded in nearly any subject. Some of the most popular PhD fields of study are:

engineering
education
biological sciences
physical sciences
social sciences

Professional doctorates are for students who need to earn a doctorate to work in a specific profession. Some common types of professional doctorates include:

What Does a Doctoral Student Study?

The requirements for doctoral students and the concepts they study depend on the type of degree they're pursuing and the major within that degree program.

PhD students and other research students usually spend their first three years taking coursework focused on their area of study. After that, their doctoral program is focused on completing their dissertation.

A dissertation is a special research project in which the student conducts original research into a specific subject. They then write a paper discussing their findings and defend their ideas before a committee of subject experts.

The doctoral journey will look slightly different for those pursuing a professional doctorate. Some professional doctorates still require a thesis project or dissertation, but many do not.

Medical students, for example, usually spend their first year or two in classroom learning and the last two to three years primarily in clinical rotations. Students in law school will spend their years studying but don't usually have to complete a research project.

Why You Should Consider a Doctoral Degree

There are several different reasons someone may choose to pursue a doctorate degree. Below, we've listed a few of the most lucrative benefits of earning your doctoral degree.

Reach Your Career Goals

Many careers, especially in healthcare, require a doctoral degree. Some examples include physician, nurse anesthetist, and dentist.

For other specialized careers, requirements can vary by state but may include a doctorate degree. For example, many states require lawyers to hold a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

Research degrees can also help you reach your career goals. Working in education administration, leading research teams, and working as a professor at a college or university are all jobs that don't necessarily require a doctorate; however, earning a doctorate may help you when applying for more competitive roles.

Additionally, just by studying in a doctorate degree program, you can network with faculty members and others in your field. Networking early on can help you land jobs down the line.

Become an Expert in Your Field

While there is always something new to learn, the additional higher education provided by a doctoral program allows you to start the journey toward becoming an expert in your field.

PhD students, for example, spend a lot of time on their selected research topic. By the end of their dissertation process, they're often experts in the field of their PhD research.

This allows them to provide invaluable knowledge in that field. When you become an expert, you may be asked to consult on projects or present at conferences and seminars.

Opportunity for Better Pay

In many cases, having a doctorate degree can lead to high-paying jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs like physician, lawyer, dentist, and more all earn more than six figures a year on average.

While PhDs don't always make that much, there can be high-paying opportunities for them as well. As we mentioned above, experts can be called in as consultants, which has the potential to pay very well.

Some Doctoral Degrees Are Fully Funded

Doctoral degrees can be very expensive, and the cost can be hard to swallow, especially if you're earning a research degree. Luckily, many PhD programs and other research degrees are fully funded.

This means that the PhD student receives full reimbursement for their tuition, as well as a stipend for living expenses. This stipend usually isn't huge, but it can help cover costs while you're studying.

Some universities require students to work part-time at the university if they accept this funding. They may work as teaching assistants or administrative assistants; however, not all universities have this requirement.

It's important to note that fully funded programs often receive a higher number of PhD applications, which can make it harder to get accepted.

Online Programs

Over the last few decades, online programs have become increasingly popular. While some types of doctoral degrees, like medical degrees, cannot be earned online, many programs offer some or all of their courses online.

This can make earning their degree much easier for students with busy lives outside of school. It can also allow students to earn their degree from a school that isn't local to them.

Job Opportunities for Doctorate Holders

The type of job you can pursue with a doctorate degree depends on which doctoral degree program you complete and what your field of study or specialization is.

Those who earn PhDs often pursue careers in research or academia. They may choose to work at a university or for nonprofit research organizations or even act as expert consultants.

Other types of research degrees are designed for expert roles in specific fields. For example, someone with a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree may go on to be a school administrator. In contrast, someone with a Doctor of Business Administration may qualify for a C-suite position in an organization.

The right professional doctorate can lead to many different career paths, including:

Note that some of these career paths require additional training and certification after your doctoral study is complete.

Doctoral Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself

Consider the following key questions when deciding whether a doctoral degree is the right path for your educational and career goals.

Will a doctoral degree help me reach my career goals?
Is a doctorate degree necessary, or will a master's degree suffice?
Do I have the time to dedicate to a PhD or any other doctoral program?
Are fully funded programs available in my field, or are other types of financial aid available?