The M.D. vs. a Ph.D.
M.D.s and Ph.D.s are both academic degrees with holders referred to as doctors. However, the educational backgrounds for these doctors drastically differ. M.D.s are doctors of medicine, while Ph.D.s, doctors of philosophy, can be in any academic discipline. Both degrees are academically grueling and difficult to obtain.
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Research verses Applied
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The main difference between the degrees is the M.D. is applied while the Ph.D. is research-focused. Other professional doctorates include law and dentistry. Professional doctorates mainly work in the industry while research doctorates work in a research capacity; however, an M.D. can also do research while Ph.D.s cannot prescribe medicine. It is not unusual to find an M.D. who also holds a Ph.D. in a research setting.
History
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The doctoral degree dates back to the ninth century in medieval Arabic universities and was used for Islamic law. The doctorate of philosophy originated from European universities in the Middle Ages. The Ph.D. applies to all degrees outside of theology, medicine and law. In the United States, the Ph.D. is the highest academic degree. Other disciplines, such as education, offer its own doctorates such as education's Ed.D. Although the Ed.D. is a doctorate, its purpose is for the practicing educator and some academics believe it is inferior to the Ph.D.
In the United States, the first professional degrees or professional doctorates were offered in the early 1800s in an effort to raise standards to enter into the profession. The difference between M.D.s and other professional doctorates outside of medicine, such as law, is that M.D.s and other medical-focused doctorates are the only professional doctorates that require the academic title of doctor.
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The M.D. degree
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The M.D. degree is a commitment to medicine. First an M.D. must complete four years of undergraduate work to obtain a bachelor of science degree. The B.S. is then followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, an internship, residency or both are required depending on the specialty and can take three to eight years depending on the program. Each U.S. state has a medical board with differing requirements for certification. Actual time spent earning an M.D. degree is approximately eight years of higher education.
The PhD degree
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The Ph.D. degree begins with a bachelor's degree, which can be in any field. The next step is to obtain a master's degree, which is then followed by the Ph.D. However, some universities offer joint master's and Ph.D. programs. On average, the Ph.D. takes approximately nine years of higher education. But because research is an integral aspect of the Ph.D., nine years is rather fast. Once a Ph.D. student passes the candidacy exam, the student is considered a Ph.D. candidate and will work on the dissertation that can take years to complete depending on the type of research.
Typical Jobs for the Degrees
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M.D.s work predominately as physicians or surgeons and sometimes in research. Physicians can work in private clinics or practices and within groups or health care organizations. Surgeons and anesthesiologists usually work in hospitals.
Ph.D.s can work almost anywhere and in any industry. Many strive to become professors at colleges and universities where they teach and conduct research. They also may work for government agencies conducting research or directing programs. Ph.D.s also can go into consulting work or operate their own businesses or work for private companies.
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