A PhD and a doctorate, at least in the US, are actually different degrees…
each requiring about three years of graduate school, and a thesis…
but a PhD thesis involves original research, and a Doctoral thesis is supposed to be based more on practical application of theory.
Either can serve as qualification for university professorship, depending on the school and field.
An M.D. degree is in fact a form of doctoral degree, and is not a PhD, and there are many other professional doctorates as well.
In some fields, like medicine, a PhD obtained after a doctorate is a further step, and in some fields a separate but equal degree.
I’ve also seen a PhD referred to as a type of doctorate, because it stands for “Doctor of Philosophy” … even though it may be in a field quite different from philosophy.It’s all very confusing!
Nonetheless….. John should know that, as I see Brett just posted above me while I was typing all this……
in the US a psychiatrist, as differentiated from a psychologist,
must have an MD, and is a doctor of medicine, who can prescribe medication, while a psychologist has a PhD, or a doctorate, or both… but cannot prescribe.
John can’t help it, though…. he tries to tell Julie, but she doesn’t listen.
Brett Bydairk almost 6 years ago
Actually, to be a psychiatrist, you need an M.D., then several more years of training.
SusanSunshine Premium Member almost 6 years ago
A PhD and a doctorate, at least in the US, are actually different degrees…
each requiring about three years of graduate school, and a thesis…
but a PhD thesis involves original research, and a Doctoral thesis is supposed to be based more on practical application of theory.Either can serve as qualification for university professorship, depending on the school and field.
An M.D. degree is in fact a form of doctoral degree, and is not a PhD, and there are many other professional doctorates as well.
In some fields, like medicine, a PhD obtained after a doctorate is a further step, and in some fields a separate but equal degree.
I’ve also seen a PhD referred to as a type of doctorate, because it stands for “Doctor of Philosophy” … even though it may be in a field quite different from philosophy.It’s all very confusing!Nonetheless….. John should know that, as I see Brett just posted above me while I was typing all this……
in the US a psychiatrist, as differentiated from a psychologist,must have an MD, and is a doctor of medicine, who can prescribe medication, while a psychologist has a PhD, or a doctorate, or both… but cannot prescribe.
John can’t help it, though…. he tries to tell Julie, but she doesn’t listen.
She just puts words in his mouth.
Little Caesar almost 6 years ago
I have an earned PhD. I’ve dug many post holes with it.
joeatwork212 almost 6 years ago
Forget going to a shrink… A bartender is cheaper. They both just listen, but at least you can get a drink at the pub.
posstockhoarder almost 6 years ago
No, drawing Winky from the back of a matchbook is not one of those degrees Burl.
Train 1911 almost 6 years ago
My heads spinning over all these PHD
gopher gofer almost 6 years ago
⇧ and then there are the posters who are so full of themselves that they think that it’s okay to write page-long essays in the comments section…