How Do I Get a Doctor of Philosophy Degree?

To receive a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, you typically need to first complete an undergraduate program at a college or university and then finish graduate school. After earning a bachelor's degree, you can apply to various graduate schools and be accepted by one with a program that provides you with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in your chosen subject. Some schools may require that you first receive a master's degree, while others simply award you with one as you work on your PhD.

A Doctor of Philosophy degree is typically the highest one awarded within a particular subject area. The first step toward this is usually for you to first receive your bachelor's degree from a college or university. This often requires about four years of study, though some programs may take a bit longer and this can be extended if you are unsure of your major in your first year or two of studies. While you can complete your undergraduate work in just about any field, you may want to pursue the same general area of study that you eventually want to focus on for your Doctor of Philosophy degree.

As you are completing your undergraduate work, begin looking at various graduate schools that provide a Doctor of Philosophy program in your field. Graduate work often involves a much greater degree of focus on a specific subject. If, for example, your undergraduate degree is in English, it is likely that your graduate work will focus on a particular aspect of it such as classic literature or linguistics.

Different schools provide various methods by which you work on your Doctor of Philosophy degree, but they often require that you receive a master's degree in your field. This takes about two or more years of study after your undergraduate work and usually focuses on research in your area of study. Some schools can provide you with a master's degree "en route" to your Doctor of Philosophy degree. This means you simply receive one as you are working toward your PhD, rather than through a separate program.

If you receive a master's degree separately, then you need to find a school that offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in your chosen field. You might attend a different graduate school than the one that provided you with a master's degree for your PhD, though this is not necessarily required. Working on your PhD usually takes another two or more years of study, often involving a great deal of research. This ultimately culminates in the presentation and defense of a thesis, which is a large written work that you prepare based on your research; after a successful defense of your work, you are rewarded with your PhD.