A terminal degree is the highest-level

university A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...

degree that can be achieved and awarded in an academic discipline or professional field. The term "terminal degree" is also used to refer to a degree that is awarded because a doctoral-level degree is not available or appropriate. The two main types of terminal degrees are academic or professional. An academic doctorate such as the ''Doctor of Philosophy'' (PhD) is a terminal degree for expanding human knowledge through research and dissertation defense. A professional doctorate is a terminal degree for licensure in an occupation, such as the ''Doctor of Medicine'' (MD), ''Juris Doctor'' (JD), and ''Doctor of Engineering'' (EngD). The phrase "terminal degree" is used heavily in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

but is less used in other countries. The term is not generally used in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

, for example, and its exact meaning varies somewhat between those areas and disciplines in which the term is used . In some countries, there are degrees that are more advanced than the PhD, such as the higher doctorates in the United Kingdom and

Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...

and the habilitation degree awarded in Germany and

Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...

. Not all terminal degrees are doctorates. For example, in professional practice fields, there are often terminal master-level degrees, some of which are called doctorates, e.g. MEng (Master of Engineering), MLArch standing for Master Landscape Architect or BEng for Engineers, MB (Bachelor of Medicine (UK)). Architecture was a discipline where the M.Arch was considered terminal as a professionally oriented degree, but a Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch) that is recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) establishes the doctoral level as the highest level of "professional degree" in architecture in the United States. For the same discipline of Architecture, the "Laurea di Dottore" is the terminal degree in Italy. Interior design and Interior Architecture have terminal master-level degrees such as MID, MA, MS interior design education. Most non-doctoral degrees are not terminal in academic terms except the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), an academically-recognized terminal degree given to practitioners in the

fine arts In European academic traditions, fine art (or, fine arts) is made primarily for aesthetics or creativity, creative expression, distinguishing it from popular art, decorative art or applied art, which also either serve some practical function ...

and performing arts. The

Master of Business Administration A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a professional degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration; elective courses may allow further study in a particular ...

(MBA) is also considered a terminal professional degree.

Research degrees

In academic fields, the typical terminal degree is that of Doctor of Philosophy, but others also exist. The first phase of the Ph.D. consists of coursework in the student's field of study and requires one to three years to complete. This is often followed by a preliminary or comprehensive examination and/or a series of cumulative examinations, emphasizing breadth rather than depth of knowledge. Finally, another two to four years is usually required for the composition of a substantial and original contribution to human knowledge embodied in a written dissertation that in the social sciences and humanities is typically 250 to 450 pages in length. Dissertations generally consist of (i) a comprehensive literature review, (ii) an outline of methodology, and (iii) several chapters of scientific, social, historical, philosophical, or literary analysis. Typically, upon completion, the candidate undergoes an oral examination, sometimes public, by his or her supervisory committee with expertise in the given discipline.

Typical professional degrees, professional/clinical doctorates, and research doctorates

* Arts: **

Doctor of Arts The Doctor of Arts (D.A.; occasionally D.Arts or Art.D. from the Latin language, Latin ''artium doctor'') is a List of academic disciplines, discipline-based terminal degree, terminal doctorate, doctoral academic degree, degree that was originall ...

(DA) ** Doctor of Music (DM or DMus) ** Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) (Usually awarded to performance majors in the musical arts) ** Doctor of Modern Languages (DML) **

Doctor of Philosophy A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of Postgraduate education, graduate study and original resear ...

(Ph.D. or DPhil) ** Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) **

Master of Fine Arts A Master of Fine Arts (MFA or M.F.A.) is a terminal degree in fine arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts and in some cases, theatre management or arts admi ...

(MFA) **

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

(MA) * Design: ** Master of Art and Design (MAD) ** Master of Architecture (M.Arch) ** Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch) ** Doctor of Design (DDes) ** Master of Design (MDes) ** Master of Landscape Architecture (MLArch and/or MLA) ** Master of City Planning (MPLAN, MCRP, MUP, MCP, MCD or MURP) **

(MFA) ** Master of Graphic Design (MGraph) * Education: ** Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) ** Educational Specialist (EdS) * Healthcare: ** Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) ** Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) ** Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) ** Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) ** Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) ** Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDS or DMD) ** Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) ** Doctor of Health Science (DHS, DHSc) **

Doctor of Medicine A Doctor of Medicine (abbreviated MD, from the Latin language, Latin ) is a medical degree, the meaning of which varies between different jurisdictions. In the United States, and some other countries, the ''MD'' denotes a professional degree of ph ...

(MD) ** Doctor of Medical Physics (DMP) ** Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) ** Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) ** Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) ** Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DOT or OTD) ** Doctor of Optometry (OD) ** Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) **

Doctor of Pharmacy A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD; Neo-Latin: ''Pharmaciae Doctor'') is a professional doctorate in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a proficient graduate degree to practice the profession of pharmacy or to become a clinical pharmacist. In many co ...

(PharmD) ** Doctor of Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy (DPT or DPhysio) ** Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) ** Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) **

Doctor of Public Health A Doctor of Public Health (abbr. DrPH, Dr.P.H. or D.P.H.; Latin ) is a doctoral degree awarded in the field of Public health, Public Health. DrPH is an advanced and terminal degree that prepares its recipients for a career in advancing public hea ...

(DrPH, DPH) ** Doctor of Science (DSc) ** Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci) ** Doctor of Social Work (DSW) ** Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) * Law: ** Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) **

Juris Doctor A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...

or Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) ** Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD/SJD) (in the U.S.) ** Doctor of Laws (LLD) * Management: ** Doctor of Business Administration (DBA, DrBA) **

Doctor of Management The Doctor of Management (DM or DMgt) is an applied research doctorate (or professional practice doctorate) with a degree focus in management, leadership, and organizational topics."

(DMgt, DM) ** Master of Public Affairs (MPA) ** Master of Project Management (MPM) ** Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) ** Doctor of Economic Development (DED) * Religion: ** Master of Divinity (M.Div.) **

Doctor of Divinity A Doctor of Divinity (DD or DDiv; ) is the holder of an advanced academic degree in divinity (academic discipline), divinity (i.e., Christian theology and Christian ministry, ministry or other theologies. The term is more common in the Englis ...

(D.D. or D.Div.) ** Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) ** Master of Theology (Th.M. or Th.M) ** Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) ** Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) **

(Ph.D. or D.Phil. or Phil.D.) ** Doctor of Theology (Th.D. or D.Th.) * Science and Engineering: ** Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) ** Doctor of Computer Science (DSc.Comp, DCS, D.C.Sc.) **

Doctor of Engineering The Doctor of Engineering (DEng or EngD) or Doctor of Engineering Sciences is a research doctorate in engineering and applied science. An EngD is a terminal degree similar to a PhD in engineering but applicable more in industry rather than in ac ...

(Dr.-Ing./DEng/Dr. Eng./EngD) ** Doctor of Science (Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D., or D.S.) * Social Science: ** Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) * Technology: ** Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) ** Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS, MLS, MSLS) (Given in the US, by an ALA accredited school or program.)

Professional degrees

A professional degree is a degree that is required, often by law as in the case of medical and other clinical professions, that must be earned first before the holder of the degree can practice in the profession. A speech-language pathologist, for example, must hold a master's degree in communicative disorders: speech-language pathology in order to practice. However, an actor does not need a degree to act, even though there are degrees for acting available. In some fields, especially those linked to a profession (such as medicine, law or teaching), a distinction is to be drawn between a professional degree, an advanced degree and terminal degree. A first professional degree is generally required by law or custom to practice the profession without limitation. An advanced professional degree provides further training in a specialized area of the profession. A first professional degree is an academic degree designed to prepare the holder for a particular career or profession, fields in which scholarly research and academic activity are not the profession, but rather the practice of the profession. In many cases such as law, medicine and teaching, the first professional degree is also terminal, usually because no further advanced degree is required for practice in that field, even though more advanced academic degrees may exist.

Typical professional degree

* Business: ** Accountant (MAcc, MAcy, MSAcy) **

Business Administration Business administration is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. Overview The administration of a business includes the performance o ...

( MBA) * Design: **

Architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

(B.Arch, M.Arch, D.Arch) ** Architectural Engineer (B.A.E, M.A.E) ** Landscape Architect (BLA, MLA) **

Urban Planning Urban planning (also called city planning in some contexts) is the process of developing and designing land use and the built environment, including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban areas, such as transportatio ...

(MPLAN, MCRP, MUP, MCP, MCD, MURP) **

Interior Design Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. With a keen eye for detail and a Creativity, creative flair, an ...

, Interior Architecture (BS, BFA, MFA, MID, MA, MS) *

Education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

or a bachelor's usable for teaching (BEd, BA, BME, BSE, BSocSc, BSc) *

Engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who Invention, invent, design, build, maintain and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials. They aim to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while ...

(BE, BEng, MEng, BSE, BScEng, BASc) * Healthcare: ** Acupuncturist (MAcOM, DAcOM) ** Advanced Practice Nurse (DNP, DNAP, DNS, DNSc) ** Audiologist (MS, AuD) ** Chiropractor (DC) ** Health Administrator (MHA) ** School Counselor (M.A., M.S., M.Ed., M.Coun. lso M.C. or Ph.D.) ** Mental Health Counselor (M.A., M.S., M.Ed., M.Coun. lso M.C. or Ph.D.) ** Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS, CLS, MT) **

Dentist A dentist, also known as a dental doctor, dental physician, dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry, the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist's supporting team aids in provi ...

(DMD, BDent, DDS, BDS, BDSc, BChD, CD, Cand.Odont., Dr.Med.Dent.) **

Midwife A midwife (: midwives) is a health professional who cares for mothers and Infant, newborns around childbirth, a specialisation known as midwifery. The education and training for a midwife concentrates extensively on the care of women throughou ...

(BMid, BScMid) ** Nurse (BSN, MSN) ** Occupational Therapist (OTD, DrOT, MSOT, MA, MOT) ** Optometrist (OD, B.Optom) **

Pharmacist A pharmacist, also known as a chemist in English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English, is a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about preparation, mechanism of action, clinical usage and legislation of medications in ...

(BPharm, BScPhm, PharmB, MPharm, Pharm.D.) ** Physical Therapist (DPT, DPhysio, MPT, MSPT, MPhysio, BSPT, BPT, BPhysio) **

Physician A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the Medical education, study, Med ...

Surgeon In medicine, a surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgery. Even though there are different traditions in different times and places, a modern surgeon is a licensed physician and received the same medical training as physicians before spec ...

( M.D., D.O., MBBS, MDCM, MBChB, BMed, Dr.Med, Dr.MuD, Cand.med). ** Physician Associate (MPAS, MPS, MS, PGDip) ** Podiatrist (DPM, DP, PodD, BPod, PodB) **

Psychologist A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and explanation, interpretatio ...

(PhD, PsyD, ClinPsyD or EdS) **

Public Health Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the de ...

(MPH) ** Radiation Therapist (BSc, BRad) ** Radiographer (BSc, BMRSc, BRad) **

Respiratory Therapist A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare professional, healthcare practitioner trained in Intensive care medicine, critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical condit ...

(MSRC, BSRT) **

Scientist A scientist is a person who Scientific method, researches to advance knowledge in an Branches of science, area of the natural sciences. In classical antiquity, there was no real ancient analog of a modern scientist. Instead, philosophers engag ...

(BSc, BS) **

Social Work Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Social wo ...

er (BSW, BA, BSc) ** Speech and Language Therapist (MA, MS) **

Veterinarian A veterinarian (vet) or veterinary surgeon is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, veterinarians also play a role in animal r ...

(DVM, VMD, BVS, BVSc, BVMS) *

Lawyer A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law, draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system, as w ...

( LL.B., J.D.) * Minister ( M.Div.)

Advanced professional degrees

(MEd, MAT, MT, EdS) *

Engineering Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...

(MEng, MASc, MMSc, PD) * Healthcare: ** Acupuncture (DAcOM) ** Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN: CRNA, NP, CNM, CNS) (DNP, DNAP, DNS, DNSc) **

Biotechnology Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that involves the integration of natural sciences and Engineering Science, engineering sciences in order to achieve the application of organisms and parts thereof for products and services. Specialists ...

(ALM) ** Dental Science (DDSc, Dr.Odont) (advanced degree in countries that award a bachelor's degree in dental surgery as first professional degree, usually awarded for outstanding research to a particular field of Dentistry) **

Dentistry Dentistry, also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the Human tooth, teeth, gums, and Human mouth, mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, dis ...

(MDS, MSD, MDSc, or DClinDent) (these are usually granted at the culmination of a specialty training program in dentistry in those programs that also require research and a thesis to be completed) **

Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

(MD/DO) (advanced degree in countries that award a bachelor's degree in medicine or surgery as first professional degree, usually awarded for outstanding research to a particular field of Medicine) **

Midwifery Midwifery is the health science and health profession that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (including care of the newborn), in addition to the sexual and reproductive health of women throughout their lives. In many cou ...

(MMid, MScMid) ** Nursing Practice (DNP) **

Surgery Surgery is a medical specialty that uses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose or treat pathological conditions (e.g., trauma, disease, injury, malignancy), to alter bodily functions (e.g., malabsorption created by bariatric surgery s ...

(MS, MSurg, MCh, ChM, or MChir) (Usually granted after completion of surgery training program in conjunction with a research thesis) ** Physician Associate (DMSc) **

Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both consciousness, conscious and Unconscious mind, unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feel ...

( PsyD) **

Social Science Social science (often rendered in the plural as the social sciences) is one of the branches of science, devoted to the study of societies and the relationships among members within those societies. The term was formerly used to refer to the ...

(PhD, DPhil) **

(MSW, DSW, ProfD or PhD) *

( LLM, JSD, PhD) * Ministry (DMin) *

Public Policy Public policy is an institutionalized proposal or a Group decision-making, decided set of elements like laws, regulations, guidelines, and actions to Problem solving, solve or address relevant and problematic social issues, guided by a conceptio ...

( MPP) *

Public Administration Public administration, or public policy and administration refers to "the management of public programs", or the "translation of politics into the reality that citizens see every day",Kettl, Donald and James Fessler. 2009. ''The Politics of the ...

( MPA)

References