What Is the Difference Between a PhD and a Professional Doctorate?

A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.

If you are researching doctoral degree programs, you have probably noticed that, in many fields of study, it is possible to pursue either a PhD or a professional doctorate. And while these degrees are both equally advanced in terms of academic achievement, their focuses differ. In this article, we take a closer look at the difference between the PhD and the professional doctorate.

What Is a PhD?

PhD is short for Doctor of Philosophy. The term is derived from the Latin philosophiae doctor,¹ which itself was derived from the Greek philosophia, meaning “love of knowledge or wisdom.”^2, The name is fitting, as the PhD is a terminal degree, i.e., the highest degree that can be earned in most academic disciplines.

The PhD is considered a research degree because PhD degree programs are focused on the production of original research. The purpose of a PhD doctoral dissertation—a necessary and final step on the path to completing a PhD program—is to expand existing knowledge by addressing a gap in the literature, which is an area within the academic discipline that has not been explored or has not been sufficiently explored.

Graduates of PhD degree programs hold a “PhD in” the discipline they studied—for example, a PhD in Psychology or a PhD in Mathematics.

What Is a Professional Doctorate?

Like the PhD, the professional doctorate—also known as an applied doctorate—is a terminal degree. But, unlike the PhD, the professional doctorate is not considered an original research degree; rather, it is considered an applied research degree. This is because professional doctorate degree programs are primarily focused on the practical application of knowledge. Instead of focusing on filling in gaps in the literature or on abstract theories, learners in professional doctorate programs are typically focused on how to use existing knowledge to improve practices/processes or solve problems in their field, in the real world.

Graduates of professional doctoral degree programs hold a “Doctor of” the discipline they studied—for example, Doctor of Computer Science (DCS), Doctor of Management (DM) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

How to Earn a PhD or Professional Doctorate

Although specific requirements vary by school, both PhD and professional doctorate programs typically require learners to successfully complete a combination of coursework, examinations, and a doctoral project or dissertation. There may be additional requirements, however. For instance, Colorado Technical University’s online professional doctorate degree programs require learners to attend two symposia during their enrollment in the program.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Doctorate?

How long it takes to earn a PhD or professional doctorate can vary. A learner’s enrollment status (full time vs. part time), a learner’s attendance format (in-person vs. online PhD/professional doctorate program), how long it takes a learner to complete their doctoral project or dissertation, and whether a learner was awarded transfer credit for prior academic or professional experience may all impact overall program completion time.

How long it takes to earn a doctorate can also vary by field of study. In 2024, in the United States, the median number of years taken to complete a research doctoral program, measured from the date of program entry, was 5.7 years.³ For computer and information sciences, it was 5.6 years.³ And for business, it was 5 years.³

CTU’s online doctoral degree programs may be completed in as few as three and a half years.

Is a Professional Doctorate a Good Fit for You?

If you are a working professional with a master’s degree who would like to increase your knowledge in your field, then pursuing a professional doctorate could be a good option for you. Professional/applied doctoral programs are rigorous and challenging, so you will have to determine for yourself whether pursuing the most advanced degree in your field—and earning the title “Doctor”—makes sense for you. The convenience of an online doctorate degree program could help to put your educational goals within reach.

CTU offers doctorate degree programs in computer science, management and nursing practice. Explore CTU’s complete list of online professional doctorate degree programs today.

¹ Merriam-Webster, “PhD,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PhD (visited Feb. 3, 2026).
² David M. Timmerman & Edward Schiappa, Ch. 3, Philosophia as a Term of Art: Recovering Isocrates, in Classical Greek Rhetorical Theory and the Disciplining of Discourse (2010), doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511750625.003.
³ National Science Foundation (NSF), “Median years to research doctorate, by trend broad field of doctorate: Selected years, 1974–2024, Table 1-12,” https://ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/earned-doctorates/2024#data (visited Feb. 3, 2026).

Colorado Technical University cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2195004 2/2026