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Are doctorate degrees that aren't PhDs taken seriously at all in academia?
e.g. the Doctor of Education (EdD), clinical doctorates for different disciplines
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Jolene,
Do non-PhD doctorate degrees carry weight in the academic world?
In the academic sphere, the degree of respect and acknowledgement bestowed upon non-PhD doctorate degrees, like the Doctor of Education (EdD) or clinical doctorates in different fields, can fluctuate based on the specific discipline, institution, and context. While the conventional PhD is often regarded as the apex of academic accomplishment and research proficiency, other doctoral degrees also carry substantial worth and credibility within their respective fields.
Doctor of Education (EdD): The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a top-tier professional degree that aims to groom educators for leadership roles in educational environments. EdD programs usually stress the practical application of research and theory to tackle real-world educational challenges. Even though EdDs might not be as research-focused as PhD programs, they are highly esteemed in the education field for their emphasis on practical skills and leadership growth.
In the academic world, particularly in the education sector, EdDs are widely respected for their concentration on applied research and their pertinence to addressing issues in educational practice. Those with an EdD often seek careers in educational leadership, administration, policy-making, curriculum development, and other areas where practical expertise is highly appreciated.
Clinical Doctorates: Clinical doctorates are specialized professional degrees intended for practitioners in fields like psychology (PsyD), nursing (DNP), physical therapy (DPT), pharmacy (PharmD), and more. These programs usually stress advanced clinical skills, hands-on experience, and practical application of knowledge in professional practice environments.
While clinical doctorates might not have the same research focus as PhD programs, they are highly esteemed within their respective professions for their emphasis on developing advanced clinical competencies and expertise. In fields where practice-based skills are vital, such as healthcare or psychology, clinical doctorates play a crucial role in grooming practitioners for specialized roles and duties.
Overall Perception: The perception of non-PhD doctorate degrees in academia ultimately hinges on the specific discipline and context. While PhDs are often linked with rigorous research training and academic scholarship, other doctoral degrees like the EdD and clinical doctorates are valued for their focus on practical skills, professional growth, and applied knowledge pertinent to specific fields.
In conclusion, while PhDs may carry a certain prestige in academia due to their research-focused nature, non-PhD doctorate degrees like the EdD and clinical doctorates are also taken seriously and respected within their respective fields for their emphasis on practical expertise, professional growth, and specialized knowledge relevant to professional practice.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Graduate School of Education: The Harvard Graduate School of Education is a prestigious institution that offers insights into the value of non-PhD doctorate degrees like the EdD in the field of education.
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA provides information on clinical psychology programs and the significance of clinical doctorates like the PsyD in the field of psychology.
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM): NASM offers perspectives on the importance of clinical doctorates such as the DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in music education and performance.
These sources were pivotal in providing authoritative information on the credibility and recognition of non-PhD doctorate degrees in academia across various disciplines.
May God Bless You!
James Constantine Frangos.
Do non-PhD doctorate degrees carry weight in the academic world?
In the academic sphere, the degree of respect and acknowledgement bestowed upon non-PhD doctorate degrees, like the Doctor of Education (EdD) or clinical doctorates in different fields, can fluctuate based on the specific discipline, institution, and context. While the conventional PhD is often regarded as the apex of academic accomplishment and research proficiency, other doctoral degrees also carry substantial worth and credibility within their respective fields.
Doctor of Education (EdD): The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a top-tier professional degree that aims to groom educators for leadership roles in educational environments. EdD programs usually stress the practical application of research and theory to tackle real-world educational challenges. Even though EdDs might not be as research-focused as PhD programs, they are highly esteemed in the education field for their emphasis on practical skills and leadership growth.
In the academic world, particularly in the education sector, EdDs are widely respected for their concentration on applied research and their pertinence to addressing issues in educational practice. Those with an EdD often seek careers in educational leadership, administration, policy-making, curriculum development, and other areas where practical expertise is highly appreciated.
Clinical Doctorates: Clinical doctorates are specialized professional degrees intended for practitioners in fields like psychology (PsyD), nursing (DNP), physical therapy (DPT), pharmacy (PharmD), and more. These programs usually stress advanced clinical skills, hands-on experience, and practical application of knowledge in professional practice environments.
While clinical doctorates might not have the same research focus as PhD programs, they are highly esteemed within their respective professions for their emphasis on developing advanced clinical competencies and expertise. In fields where practice-based skills are vital, such as healthcare or psychology, clinical doctorates play a crucial role in grooming practitioners for specialized roles and duties.
Overall Perception: The perception of non-PhD doctorate degrees in academia ultimately hinges on the specific discipline and context. While PhDs are often linked with rigorous research training and academic scholarship, other doctoral degrees like the EdD and clinical doctorates are valued for their focus on practical skills, professional growth, and applied knowledge pertinent to specific fields.
In conclusion, while PhDs may carry a certain prestige in academia due to their research-focused nature, non-PhD doctorate degrees like the EdD and clinical doctorates are also taken seriously and respected within their respective fields for their emphasis on practical expertise, professional growth, and specialized knowledge relevant to professional practice.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Graduate School of Education: The Harvard Graduate School of Education is a prestigious institution that offers insights into the value of non-PhD doctorate degrees like the EdD in the field of education.
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA provides information on clinical psychology programs and the significance of clinical doctorates like the PsyD in the field of psychology.
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM): NASM offers perspectives on the importance of clinical doctorates such as the DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in music education and performance.
These sources were pivotal in providing authoritative information on the credibility and recognition of non-PhD doctorate degrees in academia across various disciplines.
May God Bless You!
James Constantine Frangos.
Updated
Stuart’s Answer
As Ms. McDonnell said, it depends on your goal. In my work at the community college level, many of the people I work with in Student Affairs have their EdD, versus the PhD. My sense is that the EdD is more common among administrators on the Student Affairs side, as those degrees often focus on things like management and leadership, versus specific academic disciplines.
Updated
Marino’s Answer
Hello Jolene! Great question!
As others have said, it depends on the crossover of 1) what you plan to do with that degree, and 2) where you plan to have your career. More specifically, for example, if you are looking to become a professor or a researcher in a top level research institution (an R1 institution), then getting a degree, such as a PsyD would not be seen as a strength to your application as the PsyD program is more about the practical experience than about the research and the entry requirements are different.
On the other hand, if you wanted to open your own clinical psychology practice or work at a clinic/facility, then a PsyD would be more than fine.
In other words, it depends on what you want to do and at what type of institution you'd like to have a job.
As others have said, it depends on the crossover of 1) what you plan to do with that degree, and 2) where you plan to have your career. More specifically, for example, if you are looking to become a professor or a researcher in a top level research institution (an R1 institution), then getting a degree, such as a PsyD would not be seen as a strength to your application as the PsyD program is more about the practical experience than about the research and the entry requirements are different.
On the other hand, if you wanted to open your own clinical psychology practice or work at a clinic/facility, then a PsyD would be more than fine.
In other words, it depends on what you want to do and at what type of institution you'd like to have a job.
Updated
Olivia’s Answer
This depends on what you are looking to achieve in academia. I've graduated from two R1 schools. R1 is a designation for universities based on their research output. Many of my professors don't have PhDs, however their primary focus is to be a lecturer rather than a researcher. The professors I've met who are primarily focused on research and happen to teach a specialized class or two almost always have a PhD. I've also debated between a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) vs a PhD focused on business. The feedback I've received from my professors is that if the goal is to teach at a R1 institution, the university where you achieve the terminal degree is equally as important as the degree itself.