How can we improve the academic qualification after PhD? are there any major degree options? if yes then what kind and what are possible prospects?
There is no generic study degree superior to a PhD. However you can go on to do a post-doctoral research or even get more PhDs. But you only need one PhD to prove that you are capable of doing original, significant research.
In Cuba, the law establishes a doctorate superior to scientists who have trained in a certain branch of science.
The scientific degree of Doctor of Science is awarded to a researcher who has already obtained a first doctorate in
certain area of knowledge with a relevant and broad guarantee, supported by results of scientific, economic and social impact; in the capacity for the doctoral training of other specialists; and culminates with the defense before the designated court, of a thesis that contains the generalized solution of a problem and that constitutes an essential contribution to knowledge.
https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.cu/pdf/GOC-2019-O65.pdf
Ian Kennedy : what about Doctor of Science degree? as mentioned by Reinaldo Requeiro
is it any higher than PhD or possibly giving an edge over PhD only? I think in certain countries if not many, Doctor of science has an edge over PhD
@M S Zafar For the sake of brevity I did not include the professional doctorates such as Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Science, Doctors of Engineering, Doctors of Education etc. Such degrees are not to be belittled, and they are granted for contribution over many years to the advancement of the specific field. For more details, especially for geographic variations, see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctorate#Professional_doctorate.
The PhD degree is generic.
How can we improve the academic qualification after PhD? Publish. The point of a PhD is to prepare researchers so that is the main point I suppose.
That's the top in terms of academic title. But you can build your reputation with high quality research.
I agree with Dr. Ian Kennedy, there is no degree superior to PhD with my respect to Dr. Reinaldo' answer as my background on the academic and education system in Cuba is too limited. There is something as Pos-Doc which can be equired after obtaining a PhD degree.
Dear Doctor Abdelnaser
Certainly, academic exchanges, interuniversity alliances, academic mobility, in short, internationalization allows to implement programs for (Dr. Sc.)
As our colleague Vishnu points out, these programs are superior to Ph.D.
Hi all,
I asked a similar question (as the link below) some time ago - which was more related to predicting what might 'succeed' the PhD qualification as they become more common and with multiple formats.
It has 120 plus answers and many readers - so might complement/assist this question thread.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_will_be_the_next_qualification_after_a_PhD
As Vishnu states, the D.Litt and D.Sc are a higher degree than a regular PhD. Politically, a university may award an important person and Honorary Doctorate (more common in the US I suspect). But if you have a PhD then do another. If your first in in Quantitative, then do Qualitative ...
For a simple answer, see https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-phd-and-vs-dsc/
Nice link, thank you Ian. The key point, to keep it simple, is a new contribution to knowledge
I found this illuminating, particularily w.r.t. PhD vs. DSc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._rer._nat.
It depends on the educational organization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor%27s_degree :
e.g. Italy: “The bachelor's degree, called "Laurea triennale" (three-year degree) or simply "Laurea", takes three years to complete (note that Italian students graduate from high school at age 19) and grants access to graduate degrees (known as "Laurea Magistrale")”.
In the link https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-phd-and-vs-dsc/ : “Whereas, only those who have completed their master’s degree are eligible for consideration in DSc, even a bachelor’s degree holder can apply to become a PhD”
However, the above statement regarding bachelor’s degree is not true in Italy, because only people with graduate degrees (known as "Laurea Magistrale") can access PhD.
Therefore, at least in Italy, there is no degree superior to PhD. There is something as Post-Doc but without a formal academic title.
Anyway, I consider more pertinent the question and the link provided by Dean Whitehead.
In the UK, many universities offer 'higher doctorates', such as the DSc, DLitt, DD, and so on mentioned by others. These are usually awarded for a sustained research contribution to one's academic field and are assessed by appropriate experts in the field, much in the same way as the UK PhD. However, typically a thesis is not required, but the candidate puts together a portfolio of their work accompanied by a narrative that describes the works holistically.
In my academic career, I've only met two colleagues in posession of a higher doctorate.
You asked about "possible prospects". Another doctorate is possible, but not terribly likely. ( I knew one person who had 3 doctorates. Everybody called him Dr., not Dr, Dr, Dr.!)
Famous people or VIPs are likely to get many titles honoris causa (Dr. h.c.). There are a lot of Drs. h.c. mult. out there...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_degree
This was news to me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Hesburgh
150!
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After reading answers to the easier solution, Learning is life long whether you get additional degrees or not, how ever , if the PhD answers your intention and furthering your thoughts are still born then,actuate your next degree. For most this degree captures the essence of the top tier.
The Doctor of Education is technically higher than the PhD.. It is longer and can require you to study more than one area of expertise in addition to doing the dissertation - longer credits, longer study, more costly. The Doctor of Medicine is higher than the PhD also.
Does the value of a doctorate depend on the institution granting it? One can get a piece of paper with PhD written on it by buying it on the internet. Some accredited/recognised institutions are known to be easier or harder to get a PhD.
Sharon Andersen I don't understand what you mean by a Doctor of Education or Medicine "is technically higher" then a PhD. I was told in one university where I was being interviewed for a professorship that they considered a PhD to be higher that a practice doctorate (such as a Doctorate of Nursing science, Doctorate of Medicine etc) and that some of their practice doctorate students would proceed to a PhD later. In that university the practice doctorate was a taught course (some exams) with a dissertation related to practice in that profession. The PhD was independent research on an original topic.
It's a general problem of our society that people look at degrees rather than at actual (hard and soft) skills and personality.
Here is a graph of the knowledge base of 2 doctors: A medical doctor and a PhD. The horizontal axis depicts the fields of study. The vertical axis depicts the knowledge extent of each field of study. The graphs both have the same total area underneath (years of study). Which is "superior"? I say it depends. If you want your symptoms to be diagnosed and a prescription dispensed, then you want your General Practitioner to have the specialised knowledge shown in blue. If you want to employ a person to make breakthroughs in your lab, then you will choose the PhD with the red graph.
In my knowledge, the degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) is regarded superior to Ph. D in many academic systems worldwide.
In Polish system (and in German also) we have still a title called "habilitacja"/habilitation which is superior than PhD and Ypu have to have PhD to obtain habilitation.
In my view, PhD-Training provides sufficient level of confidence for he/she to be ready and involved in new related research challenges via appropriate, successful and professional manor. However., smartness or action level of PhD Doctor, still depend upon the level of research/challenge interest and strong well. For example., some people obtaining PhD for the purpose of job/scale/salary promotions only...
Thank you for your question. While PhD is the highest academic degree, in Australia and New Zealand and possibly in other countries, universities grant a higher doctorate. These degrees are for example Doctor of Science (DSc) or Doctor of Letters (DLitt), these degrees are of more senior academic standing than either a Masters by Research degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). I am interested to know which other countries/universities have these arrangements.
I do not know of any academic degree that is higher than a Ph.D. That a doctorate in medicine is or letters is higher than a Ph.D. is more of a professional thing. I wonder which doctoral studies has impacted this world more than Ph.D. studies.
I believe a PH.D is a one-area-of-specialisation highest point of academic attainment. But if it is the first and only area and then nothing else follows after that then it is only and only -just an academic high point..but not the highest point of academic achievement. However, if it marks the beginning of further research in an area or other areas of research then it rises in academic capital and importance. So with the academic field in mind, questions to ask are: Is a published individual who does not hold a PH.D but a professorship in an area or many areas less in importance that a holder of a PH.D?
Does a professorship come from holding a PH.D or comes from service to the academic fraternity?
If a PH.D is nominal then how can it be termed the highest point of academic achievement?
I don't think that there is superior to a Ph.D. However, that will depend on the area of specialization as brought by Sir Vusumuzi Moyo which I agree too.
M.S. Zafar, for now the PhD is the pinnacle of academic educational success/achievement. Some people sometimes go for a double PhD and are given the Dr Dr title. Whether this elevates their already achieved doctorate could be a debate to be had. Interesting...
Each country regulates the hierarchy of academic degrees within the framework of its autonomy. However, the degree of doctor (e.g., PhD, DSc, EdD) is generally the highest degree conferred by a university. The term PhD has been associated with the doctoral degree because of the American system's influence, but in general terms, one should speak of the doctoral level. Here is an interesting paper that could contribute to the discussion: https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/435/1/RedefiningTheDoctorate.pdf.
Hermann's suggestion that a PhD with a medical degree is stronger and while acknowledging his contribution I state this does not answer the meaning inherent in the question, 'is there a stronger higher degree compared to the PhD'? The greater majority of PhD students already posses a first degree, be it medicine, arts, chiropractic, to which the addition of a doctorate adds strength to the individual's practices. I have thought about this and add to my early comment by saying that a second doctorate does, in my view, further increase the power of training. This power is greater again when the methods differ, as with i) qualitative and ii) quantitative. Selecting a third PhD method raises the question of which method?
If you are thirsty of obtaining an another qualification after a PhD, one can start another MPhil or a PhD in a different field. If you have done lots of postdoctoral research after a PhD and if your work is recognised by a certain university, you may be awarded a DSc or DLitt (Honoris Causa) based on your specialised descipline.
Dear Kolita.
Many thanks for the explanation. could you please provide some more details regarding DSc? I mean which universities, their criteria for awarding etc?
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