A doctoral degree is the highest level of education in a field of study. Getting hold of a doctoral degree is considered important, because it boosts your resume and your career. If you are looking to take your career to the next level, getting a doctoral degree is the ideal step to take. Regardless of your field of study, getting a doctoral degree is the highlight of your resume, as it opens the door to new career opportunities.
Pursuing a doctoral degree makes you an expert in your field. This means you gain ample knowledge and experience to prepare you for problems you could encounter in the field. Becoming a doctor in your field of study means you are equipped with leadership qualities, while you increase your earning potential in your field. Not to mention the scholarly respect and career security that comes with having a doctoral degree. There are two types of a doctoral degrees. They are; PhD (Doctor of philosophy), and Professional doctorate degree.
- PHD (Doctor of Philosophy): A Doctor of Philosophy popularly known as a Ph.D., is an academic degree that focuses on original research, data analysis, and the evaluation of theory. It usually takes three or four years to be completed, and you will be required to write an original thesis for your field of study. The PhD is also the most common doctoral degree.
- Professional Doctorate Degree: The professional doctorate is similar to the Ph.D. They both involve research and try to create solutions to existing problems. However, the significant difference between both doctoral degrees is that while the Ph.D. involves the formulation of a new thesis or ideas to solve problems, the professional doctorate requires solutions to problems and applications from existing theses. You will be required to identify a problem, research and write a solution to the identified problem, based off an existing thesis.
Choosing the right doctoral degree can be influenced by so many factors. It can be influenced by your field of study, choice of specialization, earning potential, and career opportunity. This is why we have curated a top list of doctoral degrees for you to pick from.
- Statistics: A doctoral degree in statistics takes approximately five years to complete. This degree prepares students in statistical theory and methodology in academia, government or industry. The average annual earning for a doctoral degree in statistics is $95,570.
- Biomedical Engineering: This doctoral degree prepares students in areas of application like prevention, healthy aging, and in the use of technologies to improve healthcare. It takes four to six years to get a PHD in Biomedical engineering. The average annual earning for a PhD holder in biomedical engineering is $77,172.
- Physics: A doctoral degree in Physics provides education for students in theoretical and experimental physics, which broadens their scope in the field of study. It takes approximately five years to complete a PHD in physics. The average annual earning for a PhD holder is $63,631.
- Engineering: A doctoral degree in engineering provides students with highly specialized classes to widen their scope in the field of study. The degree is awarded based on advanced study and research in engineering to create solutions to problems. It takes about three to five years to get a PhD in engineering. The average annual earning for a PhD holder in engineering is $102,493.
- Psychology: A doctoral degree in Psychology prepares students for a variety of career options representing a wide range of research areas. It takes between five and seven years to complete a PhD in Psychology, and often includes a year of internship. The average annual earning for a PhD holder in Psychology is $111,364.
- Pharmacology: A doctoral degree in pharmacology prepare students with knowledge on how drugs work, how it affects living organisms, to solve ailments or extend the life of these organisms. Pharmacologists work collaboratively with medical practitioners. It takes about five years to complete a PhD in Pharmacology. The average annual earning for a PhD holder in Pharmacology is $100,000.
- Electrical Engineering: A doctoral degree in electrical engineering is for students who wish to pursue a wide range of research studies on electromagnetism, electricity and electronics. It can take three years full-time study, and six years part-time study to complete a PhD in electrical engineering. The average annual earning for an electrical engineer with a doctoral degree is $78,404.
- Computer Science: A doctoral degree in computer science built on prior knowledge, and broadens your knowledge of the computer system, with rigorous research and study on defined areas of interest in the field. It takes about 4-5 years to complete a doctoral degree in Computer science. The average annual earning for a PhD computer scientist IS $129,000.
- Economics: The field of economics deals with the study of scarcity concerning needs and wants in society. It studies financial statistics, and the proper representation or forecast of economic status to provide solutions thereby increasing societal wealth and standard of living. A doctoral degree in economics provides you with more experience and better insights to proffer solutions to economic problems. It takes about five years to complete a doctoral program in Economics, the average annual earning for a PhD economist is $108,000.
- Law: One of the most popular and lucrative PhD is Law. Even when society advances technologically, humans are needed to practice law correctly, while possessing humanistic attributes like sympathy, empathy, etc. This is why Law has still practiced actively. A doctoral law degree exposes you to research-intensive study of principles in specific areas of interest, that add to your experience while making you a well-respected law practitioner. It prepares graduates for opportunities in law teaching, legal research, policy development, public service and the practice of law. It takes about three years to become a Ph.D. holder in law. The average annual earning for a PhD lawyer is $126,000.
Above, is the compiled top list of doctoral degrees from different fields of study. As earlier mentioned, completing a doctoral degree takes your career to the next level, and opens the door to bigger career opportunities. It also increases your earning potential, and most of all, you will be contributing significantly to your field of study through your study, research, and thesis.