Is a Ph.D. Right for Me?

Ph.D. stands for Doctor of Philosophy, an academic or professional doctorate degree. If a person earns a Ph.D., he has reached the highest level possible in his field of study. As a result of this degree, this doctor has made original contributions in his area of interest.

Upon receiving my master's degree, I was intent on earning a Ph.D. soon afterward. I was a teacher. When I found out that this degree would provide a salary increase of only $500 per year in my district, I rethought my decision. Had I opted to teach at the university level, however, I would have pursued that direction. University professors, as a general rule, are expected to either have-or be working toward-doctorate degrees.

Changing Times

Just thirty years ago, less than 25% of doctoral degrees were earned by women. Today, according to the Council of Graduate Schools, women account for approximately 58% of doctoral candidates. Minorities are another sector gaining ground in the arena. Today women earn 74% of the educational Ph.D.'s. Men are still stronger in business, earning 57% of that category.

Expectations

Each doctoral program is as different as each university. A prospective student will need to do well on the G.R.E. (Graduate Record Examinations) which assesses verbal and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. The student needs to have excellent grades and recommendations. Some universities require a master's degree, others don't. Time spent on earning a doctorate is generally three years or more, depending upon the individual and the field of study.

Program Generalizations

A student earning her Ph.D. must first decide upon an area of research and study. That will be followed by an analysis of the general culture. Educational research will take place. Professional knowledge is gained, often through an internship or independent studies. Universities frequently require a portfolio signifying the depth and scope of a student's coursework. The thesis or dissertation is completed by the end of the program. The student will take part in an oral exam and be assessed by a committee.

Considerations

Research indicates that anywhere from 25% to 50% of doctoral students never complete the program. Sometimes this is due to the rigorous nature of the courses. Money can be a factor. Students often work as lab assistants or in a university fellowship program in order to defray costs. Most successful doctoral graduates, however, would agree that they have grown intellectually and personally from the experience.

Popular Ph.D.'s

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, the three most popular Ph.D.'s are in education, business and social services. This is followed by health sciences, engineering and physical science. A Ph.D. in education can lead you to an administrative, clinical or academic research position. Ph.D.'s in business often result in careers where advanced research and analytical capabilities are required. Accounting and financing are just two examples. Social science degrees can be general as in economics, sociology or anthropology. The field can be narrowed to areas of study such as psychology, political science or national security and defense. There are many options and it's best to research your areas of interest and speak to university personnel. The best formula for success is making sure your degree choice matches your goals.

Reference: Council of Graduate Schools