Doctor (title)

Doctor is an academic degree, awarded by a university or similar institution. "Doctor" may be used to refer to a person with a doctorate.

To get the degree, people need to pass a doctorate exam, or write a thesis or dissertation. The requirements vary according to the subject-matter.

There are three levels of university qualification:

The first level of these, the Bachelo's degree, covers the basics; the things that people will need in their job almost every day. There is very little specialization. A bacheolor's degree usually takes 3-4 years.

The second level covers specializations; usually people need a bacheolor's degree in the same branch, or a closely related one. The master's degree is about more advanced cases, and specializations. It usually takes another 1.5 to 2 years.

So, people can do a master's degree in about 4.5-5 years. People who do a doctorate write a theseis that can answer one, or a few very specific questions. With the doctorate, they show that they are capable of doing research. Usually, a doctorate takes andother 3-5 years after a master's degree.

Depending on the country, there are cases where people get what is called a professional doctorate. This is mostly the case in law, and in medicine. A professional doctorate is comparable to a master's degree.

People who have a doctor's degree may use the title "doctor", though in practice it is often used only by medical doctors. Medical doctors examine, diagnose and treat patients. They can specialize in a number of medical areas, such as pediatrics, anesthesiology or cardiology, or they can work as general practice physicians. Becoming a medical doctor requires a doctoral degree in medicine and participating in clinical training. Medical doctors need a licence, and certification may also be required for many specialists.

  • Universities may award doctorates to people who have done a lot in their fields of study: these are called honorary doctorates. There is no set rule for this. These may be abbreviated "Doctor h.c." (for "honoris causa").


Doctor (title) Media