15 Jobs You Can Get in the Military With a Doctorate Degree

The military provides various career paths for specialists with advanced degrees. Service members who have completed graduate school and doctoral programs will have access to career opportunities that bachelor's or even master's degrees can't provide.

Completing a doctorate degree displays an advanced understanding of specialized skills, in areas like healthcare, science, or military law. The jobs that a doctoral degree holder can pursue in the military are often the same as their civilian counterparts, even if the role comes with a narrower scope.

Top Military Careers for Doctorate Degree Holders

There are many incentives for civilians in the private sector to pursue doctorate degrees, but military members can also benefit from these degrees. Service members also have access to military education benefits and packages that can help them earn degrees that can lead to advancement in rank and pay grade.

The Department of Defense (DoD) offers programs like the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance (TA) programs that help qualifying service members continue their degrees or return to schooling to work toward a specialized role.

Service members must meet the same educational requirements as civilians to pass courses; however, there are also additional criteria like full-time enrollment status, length of active-duty service, and which branch of the armed forces you serve in that will affect benefit status.

1. Senior Military Officer Positions

Senior military officer positions are generally considered the lieutenant ranks and above, up to general or admiral, depending on your branch. These positions are engaged in high-level strategy decisions and work directly with the executive branch of the U.S. government, including the president.

These positions generally don't require a doctorate, but advancement to these ranks requires more specialized skills than a bachelor's degree can teach. Each branch has individual requirements for these senior positions. Speak with your senior officers or research the advancement path to help make sure you prepare properly.

2. Medical Doctor

The individual branches of the U.S. military all have medical divisions that serve the roles of in-field and on-base health care. These positions require the same knowledge and training as civilian doctors and military doctors must hold a doctor of medicine degree.

If you don't have your degree, the military educational benefit programs can help you attend medical school and complete your degree while serving. These benefits allow service members to receive monthly stipends for their education to avoid student loans and long-term debt.

3. Clinical Psychologist

Society as a whole has taken a more proactive approach to mental health, and the military is no different. Clinical psychologists are doctors who focus on mental healthcare, and military psychologists need a specialized understanding of the stresses and pressures that come with service.

These professionals help treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and more through the lens of military service.

4. Dentist

Dental work requires a highly specialized skill set. Service members who want to work in dentistry must earn a dental degree from an accredited university and pass relevant licensing exams. The military can help pay for these requirements if you are an active-duty service member while attending school or if you join a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program for your respective branch.

5. Pharmacist

Pharmacists make sure that patients receive the medicines they need. Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, often called a PharmD.

Beyond the degree, pharmacists must also pass licensing examinations and continuing education courses to make sure that they are up to date on the best practices of the field. Military pharmacists work in hospitals on bases around the world and will need to work with international suppliers of medications.

6. Research Scientist

The military is often a driver of innovation and this is only made possible through the hard work of research scientists in various fields. These researchers work in fields ranging from biology to information technology. Military research scientists will need specific training in their discipline, such as advanced biology or engineering.

7. Development Engineer

Developmental engineers identify the needs of the military and how they can develop new technologies to address these needs. These positions often are focused on mechanical engineering, health services, and computer science-based roles, but there are other forms of engineering that the military employs.

8. Director of Intelligence

Advanced intelligence work requires highly focused training. These positions must understand data collection, and multiple cultures, and follow strict guidelines to maintain a high-security clearance. These positions work with the military and civilian branches of the government to aid in military strategy and foreign relations.

9. Cyber Warfare Expert

Modern battlefields aren't exclusively physical. The digitization of society has led to an increased need for cyber warfare knowledge. This position combines cybersecurity and offensive tactics that use computer science to defend and attack. Cyber warfare is a constantly evolving field and experts are in demand.

10. Chief Engineer

Leading engineering teams, either civilian or military-based, involves specialized skills and knowledge. Chief engineers need to have advanced knowledge of both engineering and management as they are responsible for leading teams and completing projects, sometimes under rushed conditions.

11. Military Judge

Military law is practiced outside of civilian courts and often requires judges who specialize in military law. Military lawyers can earn a Doctor of Juridical Science degree that allows them to focus on in-depth legal studies and pursue a judgeship. Members of the American military should practice as military lawyers or Judge Advocate to develop relevant skills while working toward their DJS.

12. Senior Training Coordinator

In corporations, senior training coordinators set up the programs and methods to prepare employees for given roles. Military training is similar but often requires specialized knowledge. Senior training coordinators in the military will oversee everything from basic training to Officer Training School (OTS).

13. Public Affairs Director

Public affairs directors work to bridge any gaps between organizations and external stakeholders. The military often needs to convey messages to civilians both in and outside of the government. These positions combine marketing and public relations roles. They also require advanced communication skills and an understanding of military initiatives.

14. Strategic Communication Specialist

Each military branch has bases located around the world. When changes are made to policy or strategy, massive communication efforts must be undertaken to relate these updates. Communication specialists in the military need to understand how to run communication strategies, but they also need to understand additional security and military-related procedures.

15. Environmental Director

Society at large has put a renewed focus on environmentally safe practices, and the military is no different. Environmental directors work with the military to ensure guidelines of the U.S. government are followed, as well as international guidelines and local regulations.

Can You Join the Military With a Doctorate Degree?

Yes, you can join the military with a doctorate. A college degree allows a service member to pursue officer status and advance their career in ways non-graduates can't. Many civilian careers requiring a doctorate have a military counterpart that allows you to serve your nation and use your degree.

What Rank Would a PhD Holder Be in the Military?

There isn't a single rank awarded to every PhD holder in the military. Each branch's awards rank differently based on educational background, previous service, and career path. Most PhD holders will start as a commissioned officer, generally a lieutenant or ensign.