What Does 'PhD' Stand For?

Key takeaways

• PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy.

• It's the highest degree you can earn in several academic disciplines, including the sciences, humanities, and arts.

• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings of a person with a PhD in the United States is $2,109 compared to $1,493 for bachelor's degree holders [1].

Learn more about what's involved in earning your PhD and the benefits of doing so.

What does PhD stand for? 

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, which is the terminal degree for many academic fields in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. If you're interested in teaching at the university level, a career in research, or simply earning the highest possible degree in a subject, a PhD may be worthwhile.

It generally takes between four and seven years to complete a PhD, though it can take longer depending on the amount of research required to write a dissertation. PhDs tend to be among the more expensive degrees you can earn; however, many universities offer stipends and assistantships to cover some of the costs. The average amount of education debt a PhD holder has after their program in the US is $84,540 [2].

Careers that typically require a PhD

A PhD is an academic credential necessary to teach at the university level or conduct high-level research in a number of fields, such as the life and social sciences. The following careers typically require a doctorate:

• Assistant professor

• Research associate

• Research scientist

• Provost

• Dean of students

Learn more: Getting a PhD in Data Science: What You Need to Know

Careers where a PhD may help you advance 

While the careers listed below generally require a master’s degree, earning your PhD may help you qualify for more advanced roles within the profession—or help you develop more specialized knowledge to succeed in your career.  

• Historian

• Anthropologist 

• Statistician 

• Economist 

• Linguist 

• Political scientist 

• Psychologist 

PhDs vs. other terminal degrees

A PhD is not the only kind of terminal degree you can earn. Two other types of terminal degrees exist that tend to be more career-focused.

• Professional doctorates: Professional doctorates require students to apply some professional experience toward researching a solution to a practical problem. If you have significant experience in a professional field, such as business administration or public health, you might pursue a professional doctorate because you can use your knowledge and expertise more concretely. 

• Professional degrees: A professional degree is the PhD equivalent for certain professions, like for a medical doctor, dentist, or lawyer. Whereas a PhD tends to promote a historical and theoretical education, a professional degree emphasizes a practical education because it’s designed for you to begin working in medicine or law after you graduate and pass additional licensing requirements. 

What are the education requirements for a PhD?

While requirements differ by university, obtaining your PhD requires first earning your bachelor’s degree and then your master’s degree before you can begin applying to doctoral programs. However, some programs are available that combine the master’s degree with the PhD so that you spend less time earning both. 

What are the program requirements for a PhD?

PhD programs follow a very specific timeline that includes completing advanced coursework, studying for and successfully passing a comprehensive exam, and writing and defending a dissertation.

A PhD comprehensive exam is a major milestone in a doctoral program where you'll demonstrate mastery of their field's core knowledge through written tests, oral examinations, or both. These exams typically occur after completing coursework but before beginning dissertation research.

Once you have successfully passed your comprehensive exams, you’re typically considered “all but dissertation” or ABD, which signals that you’ve finished everything in your doctoral program except your dissertation. A dissertation is a lengthy, original research project that represents the culmination of your PhD studies. It typically involves conducting new research, analyzing findings, and presenting a significant contribution to your academic field, which must be defended before a committee of experts.

Let's break down the general PhD timeline:

• Years one and two: Take classes to develop advanced knowledge in your subject area. 

• Year three: Study for and successfully pass your comprehensive exams. 

• Years four and five: Research, write, and defend your dissertation. 

What are the application requirements for a PhD?

PhD programs expect you to meet several requirements before enrolling. Here are some examples of common requirements:

• Have an undergraduate degree, usually with at least a 3.0 overall GPA.

• Have a master’s degree, unless you're applying to a combined program.

• Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and achieve a minimum score.

• Submit a sample of your academic writing.

• Submit your CV.

• Provide letters of recommendation, which should ideally come from academic faculty members who can speak to your research or intellectual abilities.

Requirements differ by program and school, so take time to become familiar with the entry requirements of universities where you’re interested in applying.

If a program is interested in you based on your application, you may have to complete an interview. The university representatives who interview you will look at your motivation, how prepared you are, and how suitable you are for acceptance into the doctoral degree program.

Honorary PhD degrees

Honorary PhDs are conferred upon people who've made significant contributions to a field or society at large without formally attending a PhD program. Some celebrity examples include:

Taylor Swift has received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from New York University for her musical achievements.

Oprah Winfrey has received honorary PhDs from Princeton, Howard University, Duke University, and Harvard for her philanthropic and business achievements.

4 benefits of earning a PhD 

There are a number of reasons why you might want to pursue your PhD.  

1. Become an expert.

People who obtain PhDs have the highest possible education in their field. As such, they're often considered to be genuine experts in that subject matter. You may feel a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction from having achieved this level of mastery.

2. Contribute original research. 

Adding to the knowledge of a particular field is no small feat. When you write your dissertation, you will have the opportunity to make a valuable original contribution that either expands people’s understanding of a subject or brings an entirely new perspective to it.

3. Broaden your job opportunities.

Earning a PhD could qualify you to work in academia or research, but it may also increase your qualifications—or help you stand out—for jobs that do not necessarily require a PhD. Holding a PhD may convey to employers that you’re knowledgeable, hardworking, and disciplined because of what it takes to earn the degree. 

4. Increase your salary potential.

On average, people with PhDs can potentially make more than those with undergraduate degrees, depending on your profession. The median weekly earnings of a person with a PhD in the United States is $2,109 compared to $1,493 for bachelor's degree holders [1]. 

Explore master's degrees on Coursera

If you're contemplating getting your PhD and have not yet earned your master’s degree, explore flexible programs from esteemed university partners on Coursera.