List of doctoral degrees awarded by country
The list of doctoral degrees awarded by country includes all doctoral degrees worldwide.
Argentina
- Doctor of Applied Science
- Doctor of Basic Science
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Arts
- Doctor of Administration
- Doctor of Chemistry
- Doctor of Informatics
- Doctor of Criminology
- Doctor of Design
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Engineering
- Doctor of Law
- Doctor of Literature
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Music
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Physical Education
- Doctor of Psychology
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Doctor of Social Science
Czech Republic and Slovakia
Doctoral degrees gained after graduation
These degrees are written before the name and are considered as professional doctorates comparable to the US Doctor of Medicine degree.Doctoral degrees gained by thesis, viva voce and rigorous examination
- Doctor of philosophy
- Doctor of natural sciences
- Doctor of pharmacy
- Doctor of laws
- Doctor of paedeutics
- Doctor of theology
- Doctor of economy
- Doctor of social sciences
Doctoral degrees gained after a rigorous examination are popularly called small doctorate.
Applicants need a master's degree or a post-graduate degree comparable to Master level or higher and have to write a thesis of 50,000-80,000 words and defend this thesis in a viva voce and a rigorous examination in at least 2-3 subjects.
Doctoral degrees gained after post-graduate study
- Candidate of sciences
- Doctor of philosophy
- Doctor of theology – doctoral study in theology
- Doctor of sciences
Doctoral degrees gained after post-graduate study are popularly called great doctorate.
Other doctoral degrees
- Doctor of sciences - highest appreciation of scientific work, granting from the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
- Honorary Doctorate – honorary degree, usually it is not in use.
Both Czech and Slovak orthography state that the 'philosophiae doctor' is abbreviated as 'PhD.' in analogy to all of the other degrees, however, perhaps under influence of international use of 'Ph.D.', this foreign form is used in the Czech Law of the Academic and Scientific Degrees. In fact, Czech lawgivers have enacted an orthographical mistake.
Denmark
- dr. med. – Medicine
- dr. jur. ' – Law
- dr. theol. ' – Theology
- dr. phil. ' – Philosophy
- dr. polit. ' – Economics
- dr. scient. ' – Science
- dr. techn. ' – Technology/engineering
- dr. ling. merc. '' – Professional language
Finland
- Elintarviketieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Food Science
- Eläinlääketieteen tohtori – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Farmasian tohtori– Doctor of Science
- Filosofian tohtori – Doctor of Philosophy
- Hallintotieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Administrative Sciences
- Kasvatustieteen tohtori – Doctor of Philosophy
- Kauppatieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Science
- Kuvataiteen tohtori – Doctor of Fine Arts
- Liikuntatieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Philosophy
- Lääketieteen tohtori – Doctor of Medical Science
- Maatalous- ja metsätieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Science
- Musiikin tohtori – Doctor of Music
- Oikeustieteen tohtori – Doctor of Laws
- Psykologian tohtori – Doctor of Psychology
- Taiteen tohtori – Doctor of Arts
- Tanssitaiteen tohtori – Doctor of Arts
- Teatteritaiteen tohtori – Doctor of Arts
- Tekniikan tohtori – Doctor of Science or Doctor of Science
- Teologian tohtori – Doctor of Theology
- Terveystieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Health Sciences
- Valtiotieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Social Sciences
- Yhteiskuntatieteiden tohtori – Doctor of Social Sciences
France
- Doctorat: Ph.D. equivalent. Traditional mentions are :
- * Doctorat ès lettres: Doctorate of Letters.
- * Doctorat ès sciences:Doctorate of Science.
- * Doctorat en droit; Doctorate of Laws.
- Diplôme d'État de docteur : professional doctorate equivalent.
- * Diplôme d'État de chirurgien dentiste: Doctor of Dental Surgery.
- * Diplôme d’État de docteur en médecine: Doctor of Medicine.
- * Diplôme d'État de docteur en pharmacie: Doctor of Pharmacy.
- * Diplôme d'État de docteur vétérinaire: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
- Until 1984 existed a higher doctorate called Doctorat d'État and a junior doctorate called Doctorat de troisième cycle.
Germany
- Dr. h.c., but: Dr.-Ing. E.h.
- Dr.-Ing.
- Dr. iur., also: Dr. jur. although this is not the correct spelling
- Dr. iur. utr.
- Dr. habil.
- Dr. oec. pub. or macro- and micro-economics )
- Dr. theol.
- Dr. paed.
- Dr. phil.
- Dr. rer. medic. and Dr. med. sci.
- Dr. rer. physiol.
- Dr. rer. nat.
- Dr. rer. biol. hum. - "Doctor of Human Biology"
- Dr. rer. soc.
- Dr. rer. pol.
- Dr. med., also Dr. med. dent. for dentists and Dr. med. vet. for veterinarians
Ireland
- Doctor of Governance
Pakistan
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Law A
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Doctor of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Doctor of Physiotherapy
- Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan
- doctor of optometry
South Africa
- Doctor of Philosophy offered at Traditional Universities
- Doctor of Engineering offered at Traditional Universities
- Doctor of Science offered at Traditional Universities; may be the Higher doctorate in Science
- Doctor of Business Administration Offered at Business Schools
- Doctor of Literature and Philosophy offered at the University of South Africa and other formerly Afrikaans Universities
- Doctor of Technology offered at the Universities of Technology
- Doctor of Laws offered at South African Law schools; at some, the Higher doctorate in Law - see Doctor of Law #South Africa
Sri Lanka
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Laws
- Doctor of Letters
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Business Administration
United Kingdom
First doctorates
Graduate-entry degrees in which the candidate must prepare a thesis or other portfolio of publishable research, demonstrating a contribution to knowledge in the chosen field. The Quality Assurance Agency categorises doctorates into three types: "subject specialist doctorates", "doctorates by publication", and "professional and practice-based doctorates". Doctorates in the last category, such as the EdD, DClinPsych, DBA and EngD, have a greater emphasis on applied research and professional practice, however they still contain a substantial research component.Subject specialist doctorates
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Engineering Doctorate
- European Doctorate
- Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctorates by publication
- Doctor of Philosophy by publication or by published works
Professional and practice-based (or practitioner) doctorates
- Doctor of Work-based Learning
- Professional Doctorate
- Doctor of Professional Practice/Doctorate in Professional Practice
- Doctor of Professional Studies
- Professional Doctorate in Advanced Healthcare Practice
- Doctor of Applied Education and Child Psychology
- Doctor of Applied Educational Psychology
- Doctor of Applied Psychology
- Doctor of Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Clinical Science-Psychotherapy
- Doctor of Counselling Psychology
- Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Doctor of Dental Science
- Doctor of Educational Psychology
- Doctor of Forensic Psychology Practice
- Doctor of Health Research
- Doctor of Health Science
- * Doctor of Health Science
- Doctor of Health Studies
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Occupational Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology
- Doctor of Public Health
- Professional Doctorate in Workplace Health and Wellbeing
- Doctor of Architecture
- Professional Doctorate in Architecture, Design and Built Environment
- Professional Doctorate in Agriculture and Food
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of the Built Environment
- Doctor in Civil Engineering
- Doctor in Construction
- Doctor of Construction Management
- Doctorate in Creative Arts
- Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice
- Professional Doctorate in Security Risk Management
- Doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Professional Doctorate in Applied Criminology
- Professional Doctorate in Data Science
- Doctorate in Design/Doctor of Design
- Doctor of Digital Media
- Doctor of Education/Professional Doctorate in Education
- Doctor of Engineering
- Doctor of Fashion Industry
- Doctor of Fine Art
- Doctorate in Fine Arts/Doctor of Fine Art
- Doctorate in Heritage
- Doctor of Legal Practice
- Professional Doctorate in Applied Linguistics
- Doctor of Management
- Doctor of Ministry
- Doctorate in Music
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- Doctor of Practical Theology
- Doctor of Public Management
- Doctor of Public Policy
- Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice
- Doctor of Real Estate
- Professional Doctorate in Security Risk Management
- Doctor of Social and Public Policy
- Doctor of Social Practice
- Doctor of Social Science/Doctorate in Social science
- Doctor of Social Work
- Doctorate in Sport and Exercise
- Doctor of Theology
- Professional Doctorate in Pastoral Theology
- Doctor of Practical Theology
- Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology
- Professional Doctorate in Veterinary Science
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Doctor of Veterinary Science
Higher doctorates
- Doctor of Arts
- Doctor of Civil Law
- Doctor of Design
- Doctor of Divinity
- Doctor of Laws
- Doctor of Law
- Doctor of Letters
- Doctor of Literature
- * Doctor of Literature
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Medical Science
- Doctor of Dental Science
- Doctor of Music
- Doctor of Science
- * Doctor of Science
- * Doctor of Science
- * Doctor of Science
- * Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Technology
- Doctor of Engineering
Honorary doctorates
All levels of degree - though usually of master's level and above - can be awarded as honorary degrees.However, some universities have a degree which is only awarded honoris causa:
- Doctor of the University
No longer awarded
- Doctor of Canon Law - did not survive the Reformation.
- Doctor of Hygiene - awarded by Durham University and subsequently by Newcastle University
United States
Research degrees
The National Science Foundation recognizes the following as research degrees:- Doctor of Arts
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Canon Law
- Doctor of Design
- Doctor of Engineering or Engineering Science
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Fine Arts
- Doctor of Hebrew Letters
- Doctor of Juridical Science
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- Doctor of Music Education
- Doctor of Modern Languages
- Doctor of Nursing Science
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Public Health
- Doctor of Sacred Theology
- Doctor of Health Sciences
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Theology
Professional degrees
- Doctor of Acupuncture
- Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Doctor of Anesthesia Practice
- Doctor of Applied Science
- Doctor of Architecture
- Doctor of Athletic Training
- Doctor of Audiology
- Doctor of Behavioral Health
- Doctor of Chiropractic
- Doctor of Church Music
- Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Doctor of Comparative Law
- Doctor of Civil Law
- Doctor of Computer Science
- Doctor of Criminal Justice
- Doctor of Criminology
- Doctor of Divinity
- Doctor of Dental Medicine
- Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Doctor of Forestry
- Doctor of Geological Science
- Doctor of Health Administration
- Doctor of Health and Safety
- Doctor of Health Education
- Doctor of Hebrew Literature/Letters
- Doctor of Health Science
- Doctor of Hebrew Studies
- Doctor of Humane Letters
- Doctor of Industrial Technology
- Doctor of Information Technology
- Doctor of International Affairs
- Juris Doctor
- Doctor of Law and Policy
- Doctor of Liberal Studies
- Doctor of Library Science
- Doctor of Management
- Doctor of Medical Humanities
- Doctor of Medical Physics
- Doctor of Medical Science
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Ministry
- Doctor of Missiology
- Doctor of Music
- Doctor of Music Therapy
- Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Optometry
- Doctor of Oriental Medicine
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Doctor of Pastoral Counseling
- Doctor of Pastoral Music
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Physical Education
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
- Doctor of Practical Theology
- Doctor of Professional Studies
- Doctor of Psychology
- Doctor of Public Administration
- Doctor of Recreation
- Doctor of Rehabilitation
- Doctor of Sacred Music
- Doctor of Science in Dentistry
- Doctor of Science and Hygiene
- Doctor of Science in Veterinary Medicine
- Doctor of the Science of Law
- Doctor of Social Science
- Doctor of Social Work
- Doctor of Transformational Leadership
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine