A doctorate is the highest educational achievement that you can earn and there is much respect associated with having those letters behind your name. Only one out of a hundred people have a doctorate, so that reverence is certainly due. Also, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, someone with a doctorate degree earns one to two million dollars in lifetime earnings more than someone with a master’s degree. With numbers like that, what are you waiting for?

Ph.D. or Doctorate?

It seems that there is some confusion when it comes to the difference between a doctorate and a Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy. Actually, a Ph.D. is one of several doctorate degrees that you can earn. Doctorate degrees can be broken down into two types: professional doctorates and research doctorates.

People who earn professional doctorates apply their degree to a specific profession, as opposed to an academic field of study. These include M.D. (Doctor of Medicine), J.D. (Juris Doctor), DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), and PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) among many others.

Research doctorates include the Ph.D. and are often focused on a particular subject. Here is a breakdown of some of the more popular doctorates available in the United States:

• Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy: This degree is normally earned by those who want to go into research or Academia. There are many fields in which you can earn a Ph.D. including history, mathematics, and chemistry.

• Psy.D. or Doctor of Psychology: If you want to be a psychologist, than you can either earn a Ph.D. in psychology or this degree.

• DBA or Doctor of Business Administration: This degree is for people who are interested in the theory of management. Those who earn this degree normally go into research or teach on a college level.

• Ed.D. or Doctor of Education: If you are looking to become a school administrator than this degree is for you.

• D.A. or Doctorate of Arts: This degree emerged in the 1960s and is offered in many of the same subjects as a Ph.D, particularly arts and humanities. It is often labeled the “teaching doctorate.”

What does a doctorate entail?

Most doctorates require that you have a master’s degree in a related field of study. Once you are accepted you begin with a rigorous course of study, especially for the professional degrees such as M.D. or J.D. The professional degrees are normally followed by an exam, such as the bar examination, and/or an internship, such as a residency. With Ph.Ds and other research doctorates, courses are normally followed by an exam and then the writing of a thesis or dissertation. These dissertations can be anywhere from 50 to 450 pages in length and commonly focus on a particular area of expertise. For example, someone pursuing a doctorate in U.S. Economic History might write a dissertation on the effects of Soviet Union socialism on U.S. economic policies during the Great Depression. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average time it takes a student to earn their doctorate is seven years. However, there are some accelerated programs out there and a lot depends on how long it takes you to write your dissertation.

Online Study is a Great Option

If you are interested in a doctorate degree, do not rule out online colleges. Three of the five most popular doctorate degrees (according to the Department of Education) are available through online study; these are Doctor of Psychology, Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Education. Online learning is an extremely convenient way to learn. The courses are offered in a format that works around your schedule. This is perfect for people who have a career that they do not want to take time off from, or if they have a family. In fact, online doctorates are so flexible that there really is no reason not to finally reach this highest level of achievement.  Find more free enrollment information via Earn College Degree, MBA and Online or Online College Degree Programs.

            Online specialty degrees are harder to come by than some of the more popular programs. But, degrees for engineering college online or master’s degree business can be found at some of the most reputable online colleges around. This allows the student to achieve his or her academic goals at his or her own pace and is usually much cheaper than taking courses at a physical university site. Most specialty degrees are graduate degrees, meaning that they take place after a Bachelor’s has been completed. Many high level professionals are getting online specialty degrees to boost their experience and give them an edge over their competition.

            Some of the best online MBA programs can be found at both Kaplan and the University of Phoenix. As both schools are accredited, they prove to produce the most useful degrees. Other smaller accredited colleges are recognized in the business world as reputable as well. While the online programs might be a bit shorter than taking courses at a physical site, the same, if not more, amount of work is required to accomplish the task. Because many online schools offer the equivalent of a degree from a physical site, it is important to take the programs just as seriously.

            Online specialty degrees can also be found in culinary schools, trades like veterinary assistants and dog obedience training, and even certain nursing programs. Students should also beware of online colleges that are not accredited, as these degrees typically do not transfer into the professional world and can be a waste of time and money. However, getting an online specialty degree from an accredited university can give one a leg up on their coworkers.

            The best online MBA programs can truly push a student to the limit intellectually. However, after the degree has been achieved, students will see the power they have in the professional world. There is never such a thing as too much schooling, and employers typically look for someone with a great deal of training in their particular career path. By getting an online specialty degree a person can have the convenience of working from home along with the same accreditation as attending a physical university site. Imagine the amount of gasoline one can save. Not only that, there are not typically the large numbers of added fees that a physical university can have. Also, usually a student is paired with a professor online to guide them through their school career.