Ph.D. is an abbreviation for the Latin term Philosophiae Doctor, more commonly known as Doctor of Philosophy. It is the highest possible degree that can be obtained, and the most recent US census indicates that about 1% of the population holds this degree. Having a Ph.D. is a distinction that indicates subject matter expertise, and it is a prerequisite for most faculty appointments at universities. But this information barely scratches the surface of what a Ph.D. really stands for.
To many, this mysterious title conjures images of the dons of old in fancy hats and velvet robes, people who spend their lives sequestered in universities, buried in books and teaching the occasional lecture when time permits. While there is a certain charm to this antiquated image, it bears little resemblance to the lives of Ph.D. holders today. For contemporary scholars, the Ph.D. stands for a much more dynamic degree that holds possibilities both within the university and, more often, beyond.
These are some frequently asked questions about what a Ph.D. stands for:
- Why is it called a Ph.D.?
- How do you get a Ph.D.?
- How long does it take to earn a Ph.D.?
- What do you do with a Ph.D.?
Why Is It Called a Ph.D.?
Whenever my students squint at the degree hanging on my office wall, I always know what they’re going to ask next: “Why is your degree in philosophy if you’re an English professor?” Good question! When it comes to Ph.D.s, “philosophy” refers not to the musings of Plato or Socrates, but rather the critical and theoretical underpinnings that ground a particular subject area: the philosophy of nursing, of business, of biology.
At its heart, a Ph.D. stands for mastery of the theories that have shaped a particular field of study. For example, before aerospace engineers are allowed to build a plane, they need thorough knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the physics and mathematical foundations that keep it in the sky. A Ph.D. simply indicates that the holder has a deep well of historical context and theoretical expertise from which to draw when assessing real-life problems.
How Do You Get a Ph.D.?
Earning a Ph.D. is a rigorous intellectual exercise that entails successful completion of many milestones. A Ph.D. stands for years’ worth of coursework, a qualifying exam, and comprehensive exams, for starters. This part of the Ph.D. usually takes 2-4 years of intensive study. Once graduate students overcome that gauntlet, they are permitted to begin their dissertation. That’s when the fun really starts.
The most demanding part of earning a Ph.D. is writing and defending a dissertation, which is a work of original academic scholarship. A Ph.D. stands for demonstrated expertise in the complexities (and subtleties) of the research process, as well as the know-how to push the boundaries of the existing critical conversation and contribute new information to the body of knowledge. Every dissertation, critical article, scholarly book, and piece of peer-reviewed literature is a small piece of this effort. In many fields, there is discourse that has been taking place for centuries.
For me, adding my voice to the generations of scholars who built my field of literary study was the most exciting part of getting a Ph.D. The degree was a gateway to a life of scholarship, and I couldn’t wait to join the conversation. Writing a dissertation was akin to having training wheels, and once I defended my dissertation and earned my degree, I felt confident and prepared to pursue my own path as a researcher. Earning a Ph.D. in any field is an exercise in developing extremely good research and critical thinking skills that definitely come in handy.
How Long Does It Take?
The short answer is, it depends. There are many factors that determine the length of a Ph.D. program, and every program is different, though there are some commonalities. For example, most programs require 90-120 hours of coursework, or 6-8 semesters of full-time enrollment. From there, programs diverge. Dissertations can be written in a semester or two, as they usually are in fields like math, the arts and humanities, and education, or they can take multiple years of further research.
I got lucky in my Ph.D. program, which accepted a semesters’ worth of credit hours from my masters degree. Between that and taking summer classes, I was able to start and complete my dissertation in my third year of my Ph.D. program. While working in a compressed timeline had its challenges, I was grateful for the opportunity to finish my degree quickly and start my academic career. However, the best pace for each individual graduate student is the one that fits their lifestyle and works for them.
What Can You Do With a Ph.D.?
There are a few different paths that Ph.D. holders take once they finish their degrees. The most well-known route is academia. The traditional path to an academic career involves going on the job market during the final year of your Ph.D. program and applying to open tenure-track jobs at universities both within the United States and around the world. One of the most thrilling (and terrifying!) aspects of being on the ultra competitive academic job market is applying to dozens of jobs all over the map, with no idea where you might land.
While faculty appointments are desired by many graduate students pursuing a Ph.D., they are by no means the only option. Many Ph.D. holders opt for lucrative positions in private industry, while others look for steady jobs at government agencies. Nonprofits are also a popular choice for Ph.D.s, and the more entrepreneurial among us take their expertise and start their own ventures. And why not? There is no shortage of opportunity, particularly when you have finely-honed research skills ready to be put to good use.
